“Rip Van Winkle”
By Washington Irving
Name ____________________________
Paragraph 1 & 2
Descried – saw from a distance; discovered
Antiquity – old age
1. How does the beginning of this story reflect one of the major characteristics of Romanticism?
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2. Does the tone of the second paragraph make the village seem threatening or pleasant?
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Paragraph 3 & 4 (“In that same village . . .”)
Martial – war-like, fighting
Henpecked – a term to describe a man who is constantly scolded by his wife
Obsequious – willing to obey
Conciliating – winning the favor of someone else
Amiable – good-natured
3. What is the setting of the story (time and place)?
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4. Give three adjectives to describe Rip Van Winkle.
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5. Draw an inference on the personality of Rip’s wife, Dame Van Winkle, based on the evidence so far.
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6. According to the narrator, why might a termagant wife be a blessing? Why, therefore, is he “thrice blessed”?
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7. How is Rip regarded by others in the community?
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Paragraph 5 & 6 (“The great error in Rip’s composition . . .”)
Aversion – an intense dislike
Patrimonial estate – property inherited from one’s father
8. What is Rip’s greatest error (fault), in your own words?
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9. Why is this ironic?
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10. What is the condition of his farm, as a result?
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Paragraph 7,8,9 (“His children, too, were as ragged and wild . . .”)
Disposition – temperament or personality
Adherent – loyal follower
Fain – willingly; gladly
11. What is Rip’s son’s name? __________
What kind of personality is he likely to have?_______________________________________________
12. What is meant by the description of Rip as having a “well-oiled disposition”?
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13. How does Rip respond to his wife’s constant nagging?
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14. What “side” of the house belongs to a henpecked husband, according to the narrator?
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15. Based on the description of Rip so far, do you think his wife was justified in her scolding? Explain.
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Paragraph 10 & 11 (“ Times grew worse and worse . . .”)
Sage – (adj.) wise; (n) a wise man
Keen – sharp
Profound – deep and thoughtful
Approbation – approval
16. Explain the expression, “a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.”
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17. Where does Rip go when his wife’s nagging drives him from his house? What does he do there?
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18. Who is the patriarch, or eldest male member, of Rip’s group of friends? What does he do as the others talk?
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Paragraph 12 - 15 (“ From even this stronghold the unlucky Rip . . .”)
Reciprocate – give the same in return
Bark – a type of small boat
Glen – a narrow, secluded valley
19. When even the inn is not a safe haven from his wife, where does Rip go to avoid her? Who goes with him?
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20. List some images that Irving uses to describe the beauty of the mountain setting on page 129.
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21. How does Rip react to the thought of returning to his house? Why? ________________________________
22. How does his escape to Nature reflect Romantic ideals? _________________________________________
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