Rip Van Winkle

Summary

Imagine falling asleep, then waking up twenty years later. How would you navigate this unfamiliar new world? Would you recognize anyone? Would they recognize you? In this early-American classic, follow protagonist Rip Van Winkle as he finds himself in this very predicament.

The story begins on an ordinary autumn day in the colonies. Rip Van Winkle goes for a walk with his dog Wolf to get away from his wife’s endless yelling. His walk through the mountains takes a mysterious turn when Rip Van Winkle encounters a group of bearded Dutchmen who offer him some liquor. He accepts the drink and falls asleep.

When Rip Van Winkle awakens, he is worried what his wife will think. However, he quickly realizes that there are bigger concerns at hand. The musket at his side has rotted. His beard has grown long and white. His faithful dog and the mysterious Dutchmen are nowhere in sight. He wanders down to the village to find that the portrait of King George III has been replaced with General George Washington, and he is catapulted into a new chapter of American history.

The short story “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving is an early-American spin on a classic German legend. It is considered one of the first American short stories, and a must-read for anyone with an interest in early-American literature.