Rip Van Winkle Study Guide
A. The Author
1. Washington Irving was one of the first Romantic writers. of Irving’s stories are filled
with _________________, which is a literary form used to make fun of human shortcomings, often with the intent of changing the subject of the satirical attack.
2. While living in England, Irving met ________________________, an already famous
writer who gave Irving advice that would change his life forever. He told Irving to find
inspiration by reading folk tales and works by the German Romantics.
3. Washington Irving borrowed ideas from German ________________ when writing his
own stories. Two examples of these are:
1.
2.
B. Rip Van Winkle
1. The setting at the beginning of the story is a _________ in the __________ Mountains.
2. ___________________________ is the main character, or protagonists. Three words
that describe him are:
1.
2.
3.
3. His wife, __________________________, is always nagging him to work on their
pathetic farm.
4. “The great error in Rip’s composition was an insuperable aversion to all kinds of
profitable labor” is an example of inflated language, which Irving uses to give the
story a satirical tone. (Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean uses inflated
language).
5. Deep in the forest, Rip meets a strange little _______ who takes him to watch a game
of _____________________, which is like bowling.
6. After drinking from a flagon, Rip falls asleep. When he wakes up his dog is gone and
his gun is rusted. After searching for his dog, Rip goes to the village. List five things
that have changed about Rip and/or the village since his nap:
7. At first, Rip thinks he’s crazy, but finally some of the elderly people in the village
recognize him and ask where he’s been for the last ______ years.
8. Rip’s experience changed him. Write a sentence telling if you agree or disagree with
this statement and give at least one reason why.
Name:__________________________
Rip Van Winkle
Before and After Chart
Much had changed in the village when Rip returned from his 20 year
nap. Complete the chart below, describing the people, places, and things
that changed during his nap.
Person, Place, or Thing
Rip Van Winkle
Dame Van Winkle
Wolf
Rip’s Gun
Rip’s Friends
Country’s Loyalty
Village
Rip’s Place in Village
Before Rip’s Nap
After Rip’s Nap