Try It
Read each statement to decide if the sentence is true or false about the story.
1) The narrator of "Rip Van Winkle" is Geoffrey Crayon.
Answer: True
2) Washington Irving's style of writing often times uses inflated language to describe common things. For example, the following description of Rip, "an insuperable aversion to all kinds of profitable labor," simply means Rip was lazy.
Answer: True
3) Rip's relationship with his wife was pleasant.
Answer: False. Great job! The line, "an obedient hen-pecked husband," suggests his wife nags him.
4) The narrator himself says that Dame Van Winkle is agreeable to the ear.
Answer: False.
5) The group that Rip meets on the mountain who are dressed in old-fashioned clothing, gives Rip some of their liquor, which causes Rip to fall asleep.
Answer: True
6) Washington Irving is writing this story right after America became a country. The inn reflects the political and social changes that have taken place in America at that time by having the crowd at the inn being livelier and more argumentative, and much political discussion is heard; it reflects that there is an election going on in America at that time.
Answer: True
7) When Rip returned from sleep, the colonies had become independent.
Answer: True
8) Once Rip understands what has happened to him, he seems a bit confused, but he is also relieved that his wife is dead.
Answer: True
9) Rip's new life is more peaceful than his old one.
Answer: True
10) In his introduction, the narrator explains that the manuscript of "Rip Van Winkle" was written by Diedrich Knickerbocker. This technique is called a frame story.
Answer: True
11) What is the setting of the story?
Answer: Kaatskill Mountains
12) What is Rip like?
Answer: Simple and good natured