“Rip Van Winkle” Reading Questions Name______Hour______Date____

Recall:

  1. What is the setting of the story?
  1. What has made Rip so kind, meek, and patient?
  1. How do the children react when they see Rip? Why?
  1. Why do the women of the village like him and take his side?
  1. What proof is offered that Rip is willing to work long and hard at some things?
  1. What sorts of work does Rip not like to do?
  1. Why does Rip think there is no point in working on his farm?
  1. What part of Rip’s personality would have made him contented if he hadn’t had a family?
  1. What did Rip’s wife complain about? How did Rip respond?
  1. Where would Rip go when he wanted to escape his wife?
  1. Why did he like the men he met there?
  1. Since his wife would take him away from the men, where was the only place he could go

to escape her? Who did he take with him?

  1. What is Wolf’s reaction when a voice is heard calling “Rip Van Winkle! Rip iVan Winkle!”?
  1. What has happened to Rip’s gun? What is his explanation?
  1. What has happened to Wolf?
  1. What does Rip notice when he walks? Why does this worry him?
  1. When Rip returns to the village, what has changed about its appearance?
  1. What are two things that surprise Rip when he gets to his house?
  1. What are two symbols of the newly created U.S.A. that Rip does not recognize?
  1. What are two things people are talking about that makes no sense to Rip?
  1. What happens when Rip mentions his own name? Why does this confuse him?
  1. What do the people do AND say that show they think Rip is crazy?
  1. When his daughter tells what happened to her father, what question does Rip ask before he reveals who he is?
  1. How has Dame Van Winkle died?
  1. How is that consistent with her character?
  1. Where does Rip end up living? Why is he now able to spend time with the men at the inn?

Short answer: Do use complete sentences.

  1. What characteristics do you associate with a wolf? Why is “Wolf” an amusing name for Rip’s dog?
  1. How does Irving characterize the newly born country of America? What do the hotel, the image of George Washington, the behavior of the crowd, and Rip’s attitude toward these changes show us about the new nation?
  1. What evidence is there that Rip’s encounter with the men in the mountains was all just part of a dream that he had when he fell asleep?