Comparing British Rule and Democracy in Rip Van Winkle :: comparison compare contrast essays

Comparing British Rule and Democracy Rip Van Winkle In post-revolutionary America, literature began to show influence of the fresh created democracy. As is the case with any young government, many different interest groups arose to attempt to mold the government according to their vision of democracy. Washington Irving, a native-born New Yorker born in 1783, grew up in a world engulfed in this democratic fanaticism. He grew up to be, as befitted his childhood atmosphere, a semipolitical satirist. This satirical nature of Irvings shines brightly in Rip Van Winkle, as he uses historical allusions and symbolic characters to mockingly compare colonial liveness under British rule to the democracy of the young United States. The first historical satire occurs attached to the name Peter Stuyvesant, whom is mentioned twice with exaggerated praise. Stuyvesant, a harsh and strongly disliked governor, was in power when the English seized New York. Irving uses a false respect for St uyvesant to humor the Dutch of New York, who blamed him for the injury of the land to the English. Having set the scene as a Dutch-friendly narrator, Irving introduces Dame Van Winkle, Rips stern wife, who maintains contempt for Rips laziness and silly attitude. Dame Van Winkles harsh control over her husband represents King George and the English rule of the colonies. Whereas the colonies were mistreated by George, yet matte faithful and attached to the Crown, Rip stood by his demanding wife. The irony lies in Rips indifference to Dame Van Winkle. He was chided and bossed, but he was content. Nicholas Vedder, the possessor of the inn, who dominated the conversations and opinions of the junto represents the colonial governors ap requested by the Crown. While he rarely spoke, his influence was always present. This mirrors the inactive role the governors took in political affairs, and the colonists appreciable respect for them. The relationship between the governors and Britain i s illustrated perfectly by Irving when Dame Van Winkle comes to the inn to collect her husband. Nicholas Vedder himself, scared from the daring tongue of this terrible virago, who supercharged him outright with encouraging her husband in habits of idleness.(Irving 901) While a characteristically influential man, Nicholas is no match for the intimidation of Dame Van Winkle. The turning point of the story occurs when Rip walks deep into the woods and encounters a mysterious band of oddly dressed strangers with foreign customs.