Feminist Critique of Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving

Introduction

Washington Irving's fictional memoir, "Rip Van Winkle," introduces Diedrich Knickerbocker, a resident of a small Catskill Mountains village with a profound interest in recounting the histories and rich anecdotes of Dutch descendants in New York. While Knickerbocker is an ancestor of many successful and hardworking men, he does not share the same enthusiasm for active participation in society. Despite receiving admiration from the community, he constantly faces admonishment from his partner, Dame Van Winkle, for his perceived inadequacy and ignorance of the era's cultural emphasis on productivity. It is Dame Van Winkle's relentless criticism of Rip's apparent lack of ambition that ultimately drives him to escape into the mountains, leading to his twenty-year slumber during the American Revolution. Upon awakening, Rip's aged daughter, Judith, becomes a symbol of reassurance, welcome, and success upon his return to the village. Despite Dame Van Winkle's berating and Judith's acceptance, these characters are often dismissed as insignificant and even vexatious. However, Kiki Mu's scholarly article, "Irving's Depiction of Gender in Rip Van Winkle: A Feminist Perspective," sheds light on the characters of Dame Van Winkle and Judith, offering an empowering narrative that challenges the author's misogynistic intentions. Through a feminist critique of character development and textual support, a counter-narrative emerges that celebrates female characters, recognizing their ambition and initiative for success, contrary to Washington Irving's deliberate condemnation and prejudice against women.

Unpacking Rip Van Winkle Through a Feminist Lens

Feminist theory, when applied as a literary critique, seeks to dismantle the systemic patriarchal structures that have oppressed women for centuries. Emerging in the 1960s and 1970s, Feminist Theory provided a platform for women to challenge heteronormative discourse and reinterpret history, which has been distorted by patriarchal ideals. "Rip Van Winkle," while known for promoting national ethos, reinforces chauvinistic attitudes prevalent in the traditional American literary canon.

Washington Irving presents Rip Van Winkle as an "obedient, hen-pecked husband" and a constant target of harsh criticism from his wife. Rip is often admired for his "meekness of spirit," with his laziness dismissed as a result of innocence and good nature. Irving successfully paints Dame Van Winkle as a brutal wife, even claiming that her mere presence would make the family dog whimper and surrender. These accusations subtly sway the reader to be more sympathetic and understanding of Rip, despite his physical abilities and societal expectations to provide for his family. Within the first few pages of the story, Irving establishes deep-rooted gender norms, perpetuating the typical misogynistic narrative found in many literary classics.

Irving further reveals his institutionalized ideals through his omission of Dame Van Winkle's name, consistently referring to her as Rip's counterpart. This suggests that her identity is deemed unimportant, serving to keep her anonymous. Rip's popularity among the women in the village is celebrated, disregarding any commitments or respect for the females in his community. Overall, Irving constructs character dialogue to favor Rip Van Winkle's indolent disposition while downplaying Dame Van Winkle's defiance of gender norms by framing her frustration with her husband as mere nagging.

However, through feminist critique, the relentless nagging attributed to Dame Van Winkle is redefined as a profound desire to be a productive member of society, aiming to foster and maintain success and a high quality of life for the Van Winkle family. Dame Van Winkle recognizes Rip's resistance to America's emphasis on active patriotism and work ethic, which he ardently defends. In this feminist reevaluation, Dame Van Winkle's character is illuminated as one that challenges societal norms and seeks to engage constructively in the betterment of her family and community, shifting the narrative away from traditional gender stereotypes.

In "Rip Van Winkle," the titular character's passivity leads him to seek refuge in the lush Catskill Mountains, escaping societal and political pressures. After a long slumber of nearly twenty years, Rip returns to his village, awakening to the harsh realities of the American Revolutionary War's aftermath. He finds his once-beloved home in a state of disrepair and abandonment. Furthermore, he learns of the unfortunate demise of Dame Van Winkle, his wife, as well as the lives and families that have flourished under the care of his fully-grown children. Surprisingly, Rip feels a sense of relief upon hearing of his late wife's passing. Her absence liberates him from constant reminders of his personal inefficiency and shields him from public criticism for his apathetic attitude towards industrialism. Interestingly, the narrator notes that when Rip's wife's name is mentioned, he would "cast up his eyes; which might pass either for an expression of resignation to his fate, or joy at his deliverance." This observation suggests that Rip may occasionally remember his wife for her desperate desire for his success, and her absence allows him to escape the shackles of his own inadequacy.

While learning about the achievements and sacrifices of his friends during the American Revolution, Rip encounters a familiar face amidst the questioning crowd—his daughter, Judith. Now a contented and successful mother and wife to a farm owner, she welcomes her father's return without judgment. Even after two decades of separation, Judith refrains from exposing her father's ingrained idleness. Judith's social role in her community reflects her following in her late mother's footsteps. On the other hand, Rip's reunion with his son reveals a generational pattern. Rip Jr., leaning against a tree while working on the farm, displays a hereditary inclination to avoid business matters. It becomes evident that another generation of Van Winkles seems poised to perpetuate the same cycle observed in Rip Sr. and Dame Van Winkle's lives.

Conclusion

"Rip Van Winkle," penned by the renowned Romanticist author Washington Irving, stands as one of the most influential and entertaining pieces of American literature from an era that emphasized new aspects of social order. Despite its attempt to promote patriotic values such as freedom, passive resistance, and the importance of productivity during the Industrialization era, the story falls into the mold perpetuated by patriarchal literature traditionally written from the perspective of white European men. Rip Van Winkle ambles through life content with his passive role in society, dismissing his wife's criticisms as irritating and futile nagging. However, Dame Van Winkle and his daughter, Judith, symbolize pivotal elements in the societal machinery. Dame Van Winkle's passing signifies the end of Rip Sr.'s destiny as a withdrawn, lethargic citizen. Judith's tolerance for her father's unwavering ideals also suggests her acceptance of the inevitable. Meanwhile, Rip Jr. closely follows his father's life path, demonstrating a similar lack of ambition despite the opportunities at his disposal. A feminist critique of character development and textual aspects in "Rip Van Winkle" unveils an alternative view of women in the story, challenging the anti-female rhetoric woven throughout the narrative. Despite initial appearances, the women in Rip Van Winkle emerge as dynamic, pro-American heroes.

Works Cited

1. Irving, W. (1819). Rip Van Winkle. The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (Original work published in 1819).
2. Mu, K. (Year). Irving's Depiction of Gender in Rip Van Winkle: A Feminist Perspective. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), Page numbers.
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7. Tompkins, J. M. (1985). Sentimental Power: Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Politics of Literary History. University of North Carolina Press.