Washington Irving's "Rip Van Winkle"

Journal # 11
Posted By Melissa Veum
10-27-09
Engl 48A


"During the whole time, Rip and his companion had laboured on in silence; for though the former marvelled greatly what could be the object of carrying a keg of liquor up this wild mountain, yet there was something strange and incomprehensible about the unknown, that inspired awe, and checked familiarity (Irving, 958)."

"Great minds have purposes, others have wishes. Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them (Irving, quotationspage.com)."

I did think that it was strange for Rip to be following this gentlemen without speaking one word the whole time. Rip is a generous man and the story does talk about how he does everything and anything to help others, but not even asking where he's taking him is a little strange. Rip follows this man with a gigantic keg on his back through the wild mountains and over rough terrain to find no one hurt or needing help, but other unknown gentlemen playing nine-pins. Rip did not even ask what he was doing there, which leads me to think that he wanted to get away, that maybe he internally wanted to "ignore" his life and his responsibilities and get drunk with these men who appeared to be having a good time.

Irving states that Rip did have a yearning for the unknown and that this circumstance of following this unknown person "... inspired awe, and checked familiarity." Rip wanted to get away, that's what he was doing in the mountain woods in the first place. He was curious and did not at the time think there would be any consequences for following someone deeper into the woods than he usually goes. Rip was intrigued by this fellow and felt his familiarity, his life, being checked. Checked by himself, his wife, his dog, these unknown gentlemen. Rip was okay even when he woke up. He was more upset about his dog and being given this old, dingy gun than he was with having stayed out all night. Rip was obviously worried about his wife too but felt an enormous sense of relief finding out that she was no more. He had been gone for 20 years and seemed kinda relieved and okay with the situation upon his return.