A.1 Answer these questions.
1. We are told there was one great error in Rip's composition
What do you understand by this phrase? What was
the error'?
2. Compare and contrast Rip Van Winkle with Dame
Van Winkle
Answers
Answer:
Dame Van Winkle Character Analysis: Description & Quotes
Chapter 4 / Lesson 3
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Instructor: Suzanne Rose
Suzanne has taught all levels PK-graduate school and has a PhD in Instructional Systems Design. She currently teachers literacy courses to preservice and inservice teachers.
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The character of Dame Van Winkle in Washington Irving's story 'Rip Van Winkle' doesn't play a large part in the story, but the tale wouldn't have happened without her! Read on to find out why.
Rip's Wife
In the story Rip Van Winkle, Rip's wife is called Dame Van Winkle. She's mentioned many times in the story and, in fact, causes the story to happen, even though she never actually says a word!
Dame Van Winkle was a hard-worker. The story begins just before the Revolutionary War and in those days, it was the woman's job to do everything around the house. She'd have carried water from a well or stream, kept the fire going, washed clothes by boiling them, cooked the meals, and cleaned the house. Rip himself admitted that ''Dame Van Winkle had always kept'' the house ''in neat order.'' This was her one positive characteristic.
Rip and His Wife
Unfortunately for Dame Van Winkle, Rip doesn't like to work around the house. She feels angry that he does jobs for the other women in town and helps their husbands, but he won't do any work around his own farm! The villagers see Rip as a kind and helpful fellow and don't understand why his wife is upset.
To get Rip to work, she'd henpeck him, which means she'd nag and complain to him. The author described Dame Van Winkle as a ''termagant'' and a ''shrew,'' both words for a bad-tempered woman. She'd be ''continually dinning in his ears about his idleness, his carelessness, and the ruin he was bringing on his family.''
Dame Van Winkle and Rip
wife
Dame Van Winkle didn't give Rip any peace. ''Morning, noon and night, her tongue was incessantly going...'' Dame Van Winkle must have thought that nagging was the only way to get Rip to meet his responsibilities to his family, but it didn't work. Her ''tart temper'' became worse over time, and her ''sharp tongue'' grew ''keener with constant use.''
Whenever Dame Van Winkle nagged at Rip, he'd say nothing. Even when he didn't argue, she'd continue. As a result, Rip would go to the village or into the woods to avoid her.
Dame Van Winkle Chases Rip to the Mountains
When his wife nagged at him, Rip would leave the house to go fishing or hunting. He'd go to the village to sit under a tree in front of the inn, gossiping and telling stories with a group of men. Poor Rip couldn't even get away from her there; she'd ''suddenly break in on the tranquility'' and tell them they were encouraging Rip to be lazy.
Rip Goes Off
wife2
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