Rip Van Winkle: A Classic American Myth

Rip Van Winkle, a classic American Myth about a man who takes a nap. But this is no ordinary nap, Rip Van Winkle falls asleep and stays asleep for nearly twenty years! When he wakes up, he discovers that his entire world and life have changed. Even though he does not work on his farm, Rip Van Winkle is simple minded, not lazy, and definitely not good-for-nothing. These traits don’t really relate to the common stories of American Myth because they don’t emphasize the key American values of strength, piety, sensitivity, and industry, that were common in many American villages of that time.

Some would state the Rip Van Winkle is lazy, because he doesn’t work hard on his farm. However, I believe that he is just simple minded. Rip Van Winkle is perfectly happy to devote himself to any

If he was good for nothing, he wouldn’t lend a hand. He wouldn’t build stone fences or husk corn. This shows he can do some things. “I have observed that he was a simple, good-natured man; he was moreover a kind neighbor, and an obedient, henpecked husband. Indeed, to the latter circumstance might be owing that meekness of spirit which gained him such universal popularity; for those men are most apt to be obsequious” (Page 62, Journey’s in American Literature: Volume Three) This quote shows that Rip was a kind neighbor, had a good heart, and was very meek. If we was good for nothing, no one would like him. He wouldn’t be popular, no one would care. Rip Van Winkle is willing to work hard, though he would still prefer a simple task, so long as the situation is