Rip Van Winkle

Some of the characteristics of Romanticism that are present in Rip Van Winkle are the common man, nature, and a focus on the individual. Irving attempts to make a story of the mythology of America (about a man who meets the ghost of Hudson and then sleeps for 20 years.)

Rip Van Winkle is described as a simple, good natured man and a kind neighbor. Rip acts as an example of the "common man." Throughout the story there are many depictions of nature- especially positive descriptions of the landscape. These depictions also include backwoods descriptions of the village, swamp, and woods. Rip also goes out into the woods to escape the tyranny of his wife (he goes seeking individual freedom.)

One additional thing I noted was a shift from the small village to a more urban environment when Rip came back from his sleep which seems to parallel the changes in America.

In the end of the story, Irving furthers the concept of American Mythology by having Rip tell his story to the neighbors establishing the idea that tale was one of oral tradition.

-Kelsey