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Rip Van Winkle Democracy Analysis

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A Comparison of British Rule and Democracy in Irving’s Rip Van Winkle
Literature began to change drastically in post-revolutionary America. Newspapers, books, and other material got influenced by the newly created democracy. Different interest groups appeared and they attempted to shape the government according to their ideas and visions of democracy. A New Yorker born in 1783 by the name Washington Irving was raised in this world of democratic fanaticism. Growing up in this type of atmosphere it wasn’t surprising that he came to be a political satirist. In Rip Van Winkle this satirical nature of Irving clearly shines through. He mockingly compares the colonial life under the rule of the British against democratic life in a new and young United …show more content…

She has a lot of contempt for Rip due to his unwillingness to work and carefree lifestyle. Her abusive control over Rip represents King George and the British rule of the colonies. Even though the colonies were mistreated by the King they still stayed faithful and attached to the crown same as Rip stayed by his critical wife. Here the irony lies in Rip’s absence of feeling towards his wife Dame Van Winkle. Even though he was lectured and bossed around by her he still felt content. The character Nicholas Vedder in the short story symbolizes the colonial governors who were appointed by the crown. Even though he hardly spoke his influence seemed to always be present. Mirroring the idle role governors took in political affairs, as well as the colonists abundant respect for them. This relationship between the governors and the British is perfectly illustrated by Irving when Dame Van Winkle comes to the inn herself to pick up her spouse. “Nicolas Vedder himself, sacred from the daring tongue of this terrible virago, who charged him outright with encouraging her husband in habits of idleness.” (Irving, 474). Mister Vedder being a characteristic and

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