The story of Rip Van Winkle takes place years before and after the American Revolution. In Irvin's story, Rip Van Winkle, a man who wandered into the mountains after listening to his wife's constant lamentations, has strange encounters. He meets some men, said to be the spirits of Hudson's crew, playing a game of ninepins, and after drinking, he lies down under a tree and falls asleep. He wakes up twenty years later. Because he was used to what the world was like before the American Revolutionary War, he notices how drastically things have changed. Irvin uses the characters Rip to represent America, Lady to represent Britain, and the townspeople to represent the American people, to show the reader how the different parties participated in the American Revolution. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Rip's wife calls him lazy because he doesn't do anything in their house. He prefers to go hunting with his dog or go to the village and chat with the men. Everyone in the village loves Rip. The narrator states: “The children of the village also shouted with joy every time he approached.” Rip made it his duty to please everyone except his family members. Some examples include playing with children, teaching them to fly kites, telling them stories, never refusing to help your neighbors, and running errands for people. The narrator states: “In a word, Rip was willing to mind anyone's business but his own; but as to fulfilling his family duties and keeping his farm in order, Rip found it impossible.” This is what makes Rip troubled by his wife. This can also be seen as a representation of American society, as the United States shows its efforts to take care of foreign affairs without taking care of its own. He is used to showing the difficulties and immaturity of Americans. Rip's big mistake is not being there and providing for his own family. One day, Rip goes to the mountains to escape his nagging wife, only to take one sip of a drink and fall asleep for 20 years. When Rip wakes up and returns to town, he is intrigued by the many changes that have occurred, such as his appearance and everything that is happening in the village. The character of Rip can also symbolize the American people who were struggling to find their own identity. Dame Van Winkle is the wife of Rip Van Winkle, who has a very sharp tongue. She constantly harasses her husband for his laziness and irresponsibility towards their home. The narrator shows this trait by saying, “She continually spoke to him about his idleness, his carelessness, and the ruin he brought to her family.” She is never satisfied with her actions, and rightfully so. The events of the story show that she is the cause of her husband's unhappiness. Lady represents the country of Great Britain. His demand represents the power that the British tried to impose on the American colonies, which eventually tired them, as it did Rip. The tyranny he faces at home causes him to flee to the mountains, which appear to be Rip's happy place. Lady was the suppressing hand that allowed Rip to escape with a sense of freedom, much like the colonists once they were able to escape the government's rule over the crown. The townspeople in the story represented American society, showing how things were before and after the Revolution. It seems that the townspeople were a little vain before the revolution,.