The development of the American Mythology that we are familiar with today was not a sudden occurrence but rather a gradual and arduous journey that numerous authors honed over many centuries. One pivotal figure in this journey was Washington Irving, who contributed significantly with his work “Rip Van Winkle.” This tale revolves around the protagonist, Rip Van Winkle, who encounters dwarfs in the Catskill Mountains.
These dwarfs offer Rip a drink and unknown to him, the drink is laced with a magical soup. As a result of consuming the soup, Rip falls into a deep sleep for twenty years and upon waking up, realizes that he has aged significantly. When Rip goes back to his hometown, he discovers that everything has transformed during his absence.
King George’s portrait had been replaced with George Washington’s, his wife had passed away, his children had matured, and it felt like a science fiction novel for Rip. Eventually, he got used to his new life and persistently shared his story with anyone willing to listen. Nevertheless, why is this narrative significant to American Mythology? Some argue that it was a pivotal moment in literature, a sort of rebirth. It symbolized a historical milestone where Americans could genuinely claim their creations as original, rather than imitations of typical European writings.
