The document analyzes Washington Irving's short story "Rip Van Winkle" based on Edgar Allen Poe's theory of what defines a short story. It summarizes how Irving uses structure, characters, and plot to create unity between the reader and story. The setting of a village is vividly described to immerse the reader. Main character Rip Van Winkle is introduced as a kind man who struggles with his domineering wife. A mysterious plot twist occurs when Rip drinks from a strange flagon and wakes up 20 years later, having missed that time in his life. The story effectively illustrates Poe's view that a short story should sustain a single impression on the reader and create an integrated experience between the narrative

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Ellie Huffman
ENGL 311-01
Professor Mathys
25 September 2014
Rip Van Winkle: A Short Story?
It is the not too long, not too short, not too hot, not too cold, perfectly balanced in length,
time, description and everything under the sun, point between a cease to exist short tale and a
horrifyingly long nightmare of a novel. It is the perfect, take a deep breath, clear the mind, step
away from the world moment, where one can forget about the constant whirl wind going on and
take a short journey to another time and place; a place where emotions and feelings can be
experienced on levels one thought did not exist. It is non-the-less perfection, and it is referred to
as the great short story. Edgar Allen Poe points out two very important characteristics in a short
story. First, a short story can sustain a “unity of effect and impression” on the reader. In other
words, it gives the reader a burning picture in their mind due to a connection or relation that was
established. Second, a short story creates an immense force from a unified “totality.” This means
that there is somewhat of an integration between the reader and the story, that they can somehow
related and apply their life to what the story is suggesting. In Washington Irving’s, Rip Van
Winkle, the narrative follows the distinct description to what Edgar Allen Poe suggests to be the
early theory of the short story through its structure, characters, and plot, as the effects and
impressions allow the reader to be unified with the story in it’s attempt to connect the underlying
theme of time.
The way in which Irvin introduces the setting and make up of the story, is through a
creative, gradual, spiraling flow, as if one was walking right into the story itself. He begins by

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introducing the Appalachian family; a mountain range that spreads far across the east side of the
country. Then he specifically names the Catskill Mountains, a branch of the ever so great
Appalachians. He describes the scene with such elegance,
“Every change of season, every change of weather, indeed, every hour of the day,
produces some change in the magical hues and shapes of these mountains…they are
clothed in blue and purple, and print their bold out lines on the clear evening sky;
sometimes they will gather a good of gray vapors about their summits which, in the last
rays of the setting sun, will glow and light up like a crown of glory” (2).
This portion draws the reader in. It produces an emotional, physical and majestic place that one
can imagine and see. As one imagines these blissful peaks, he then continues as if one would be
walking down through the mountains and into the village. The story gradually takes oneself
deeper and deeper into the town. He next describes the houses,
“The light smoke curling up form ta village whose shingled roofs gleam among the trees,
just where the blue tints of the upland melt away into the fresh green of the nearer
landscape. It is a little village of great antiquity, and there were some of the houses with
lattice windows, gable fronts surmounted with weathercocks, and built of small yellow
bricks” (2).
This gives a rich effect to the story, as one can imagine themself walking through the
Appalachian mountains, through the Catskills, down into this meadow, and in to the exact
village. The detail and intricacy of Irvin’s writing creates a realistic, detailed place of existence
where the reader can again, easily imagine and even picture oneself. He uses this set up and
background as an appealing tool to reel the reader closer, to get one interested and curious in
what the story will tell.

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Once the scene is set up, and a physical location is created, Irvin begins to connect the
reader to the characters. Mr. Rip Van Winkle himself is introduced first as an innocent, kind,
caring, aimless husband and father, “A simple, good-natured fellow, of the name of Rip Van
Winkle…A kind neighbor and an obedient, henpecked husband” (2). Rip Van Winkle is the main
character and protagonist. Irvin portrays him as a kind, well-liked man that the audience cannot
help but like. Irvin continues to establish an intimate understanding and perception of him by
giving multiple descriptions. Rip was very well known as one who cared for all the people of the
town. He consciously took care of the needs of everyone, lending a helping hand at all costs. The
story reads,
“The children of the village, too, would shout with joy whenever he approached. He
assisted at their sports, made their playthings, taught them to fly kites and shoot
marbles…He would never even refuse to assist a neighbor in the roughest toil, and was a
foremost man at all country frolics for husking Indian corn, or building stone fences” (2-
3).
The reader sees a heartfelt person, who is easy to connect with, admire, and aspire to be.
Through various descriptions and detailed explanations of his genuine character, he is portrayed
as a well-respected man worthy of praise and admiration. Although he was someone who kept
the peace amongst the town, he seemed to be faltering when it came to taking care of his own
business, “Rip was ready to attend to anybody’s business but his own; as to doing family duty,
and keeping his farm in order, it was impossible” (3). Although he had a kind spirit and
compassionate heart, he still had flaws and inconsistencies and this was shown through the lack
of organization and dedication he had towards his personal life. The way he handled his private
life was disappointing and conflicting towards his character. Irvin continues to vividly portray

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Rip as a real human who was not perfect and definitely had flaws despite his admired public
character. Washington Irving uses this method of structure to create a unique short story in the
opinion of Edgar Allen Poe.
An additional character, worthy of noting, is the wife of Rip Van Winkle, a woman who
is not portrayed in a positive light. She is hardly ever pleased with Rip due to his lack of urgency
to take care of himself and his family, which causes her to become overbearing, unappealing,
uptight and controlling. She is created as a character who is strongly disliked by the reader,
“Morning, noon, and night, her tongue was incessantly going, and everything he said or did was
sure to produce a torrent of household eloquence” (3). His wife is the cynical, unbearable,
Debbie-downer, who brings the conflict to the table. The nature of these two characters are polar
opposites. Washington Irving is able to nonchalantly create two extreme characters that exist in
the same world and who are married; two people with different personalities, motifs, goals, and
desires that cover an array of aspects. He vividly describes them and uses specific, distinct
instances to personalize the characters. This again, is a perfect example of what Edgar Allen Poe
is looking for to distinguish short stories from all other sources of literature. The characters are
realistic and relatable. The connections and relationships are being formed between the story and
reader, thus giving unity and connection.
The plot twist plays a significant role in determining this tale as a short story. The
interesting, unpredictable twist, puts a significant strain on the reader that keeps them on the
edge of their seat, wanting to know what ultimately happens to Rip Van Winkle. In the beginning
there is a build up, a spiraling flow as one journeys through the story. Rip finds himself
frustrated one day and then wanders off to blow off some steam. The reader easily connects with
Rip regarding the boredom, frustration, lack of adventure, and repetition, that typical everyday

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life can bring. When he encounters a strange creature of human characteristics he becomes
intrigued and follows him. Upon pressure and curiosity, Rip partakes in the “drinking” being
performed which leads to a sudden halt. This is the turning point in the life of Rip and also in the
short story as well. One moment Rip is falling asleep, and the very next he wakes up years later,
“He was naturally a thirst soul, and was soon tempted to repeat the draught. One taste
provoked another, and he reiterated his visits to the flagon so often, that at length his
senses were overpowered, his eyes swam in his head, his head gradually declined, and he
fell into a deep sleep. On awaking, he found himself on the green knoll from whence he
had first seen the old man of the glen” (6).
From one line to the very next, there is a gap of many years, and Rip has no idea what has
happened or where everyone went. From here, there is a pursuit to find out what has happened to
the time and what truly has happened to Rip. “Ah, poor man, his name was Rip Van Winkle; it’s
twenty years since he went away from home with his gun, and never has been heard of since-his
dog came home without him” (9). This comes from the voice of Rip’s daughter, who is reunited
with her father within minutes after the dots are connected. The anticipation and mystery is
unfolding and soon Rip is identified, but as an old man who has been obsolete and thought to be
dead the past 20 years. This unpredictable, mysterious story, intrigues the audience. There is a
curiosity that builds throughout the plot and keeps the reader reading, which is what Edgar Allan
Poe suggests a true short story must do.
The anticipation that builds, the relationships that are formed, and the connections to
current life situations, all come together to unify one, underlying theme that Irvin is trying to get
at. It is the idea of time. Time does not stop, it keeps going forward, and never goes back. We see

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it in the simplest form at the beginning of the story, with the simple changing of seasons and
weather and the magnificent hues of the sky that change hourly. Time is always ticking.
It paints the perfect picture of how we sometimes live life and how close we are to ending up
like poor old Rip Van Winkle. We see that in the blink of an eye 20 years of his life had come
and gone, with no recollection of anything that happened. When frustration, discontentment, and
conflict settled in, he ran and ignored the issues and missed all that life had to offer. There will
be trials, but these times shape and mold us into who we are. Life is too short to wish it all away.
It is a gift, a privilege, and if we do not stop to think about where we are, we might be missing
what is happening now.
To be considered a true short story, obviously more must go into the classification than
the idea of length. Although it is known to be longer than a poem and much shorter than a novel,
Edgar Allan Poe suggests that there must be a connection, a relationship, and an intimacy that is
created and grows through time. There must be a unique picture that is painted with length and
detail, and an exaggerated interest, that strains an underlying aspect. Through the use of
structure, character, and plot, Washington Irving has created a significant piece of literature that
qualifies as a perfect, fulfilling short story, to awaken the way we are passing the time.

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Works Cited
Irving, Washington, and N. C. Wyeth. Rip Van Winkle. New York: of Wonder, 1987. Print.