Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving

Question 1

Rip Van Winkle

Answer 1

Main character who falls asleep in the mountains and wakes up 20 years later, having missed the American Revolution

Question 2

Dame Van Winkle

Answer 2

Rip’s nagging wife who represents the pre revolutionary constraints; she dies before Rip wakes up

Question 3

The Mysterious Men

Answer 3

The strange men Rip encounters in the forest that are dressed in antique Dutch fashion

Question 4

Wolf

Answer 4

Rip Van Winkle’s dog

Question 5

What does Rip Van Winkle do to escape his troubles?

Answer 5

He goes to the mountains to avoid his nagging wife and ends up falling asleep for 20 years

Question 6

How long does Rip sleep?

Answer 6

Rip sleeps for 20 years, missing the entire American Revolution and significant changes in his village.

Question 7

What is Rip’s reaction upon returning to his village?

Answer 7

He is confused and disoriented by the changes, finding that his village has transformed and his wife has passed away.

Question 8

What does Rip Van Winkle’s long sleep symbolize?

Answer 8

It symbolizes the passage of time and the impact of historical change on individual lives.

Question 9

What are the themes of “Rip Van Winkle”?

Answer 9

Themes include change and transformation, escape and freedom, and the passage of time.