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Literary Devices
Definition of Allegory
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and events. The story of "The Tortoise and The Hare" is... read full definition
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and events. The story of "The... read full definition
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and... read full definition
Allegory
Explanation and Analysis—Revolution to Nowhere:
"Rip Van Winkle" can be understood as an allegory for the American Revolution. Rip's frustration as a "henpecked husband" represents the American colonies' frustration with Britain's overreaching rule. The Declaration of Independence and other American founding documents used familial language to describe the relationship between the colonies and Britain, framing American independence as rebellion against a tyrannical father. Rip rebels against his wife, not his father. Because wives at the time were explicitly not supposed to rule the household, this substitution emphasizes the absurdity of Britain retaining tight control over the colonies. Like early colonists leaving Britain and like the established colonies declaring independence, Rip simply leaves home when he is tired of dealing with domestic tyranny.
The allegory does not only represent the American Revolution. It also critiques its importance and effectiveness. The fact that Rip and the early colonists could avoid their tyrants by simply walking out the door calls into question the extent to which an active revolution was necessary. Rip takes a nap for 20 years, and Dame Van Winkle dies. Even though the British monarchy lives in perpetuity, couldn't Americans similarly wait out the tyranny of King George III? The story goes so far as to suggest that the revolution was ineffective. The Union Hotel stands exactly where the inn used to be. The sign above the door has changed, but not as much as we might expect:
He recognized on the sign [...] the ruby face of King George, under which he had smoked so many a peaceful pipe; but even this was singularly metamorphosed. The red coat was changed for one of blue and buff, a sword was held in the hand instead of a scepter, the head was decorated with a cocked hat, and underneath was painted in large characters, GENERAL WASHINGTON.
The portrait has "metamorphosed" from an image of King George III to one of General George Washington (soon to be President). Rip even mistakes Washington's likeness as an updated rendering of the same old face. The recognizable sign indicates that daily life can take place under one George or another. Over the course of the revolution, everything and nothing has changed.
Related Themes:
