Literary Analysis of Rip Van Winkle free essay sample

â€Å"Rip Van Winkle† is a magical fiction written by Washington Irving in the early nineteenth century, and, of which the main character is Rip Van Winkle exactly. What made me be interested in the mystical story, was not only the developing plot that went on compactly, but also the various description of all the setting in the story which made the plot of the entire story seemed to contain much more emotional coloring. One day, after a long time stroll to the peak of the Kaatskill Mountains, Rip Van Winkle was exhausted because of keeping haunting as his favorite pastime even when the nightfall came. â€Å"Panting and fatigued he threw himself, late in the afternoon, on a green knoll, covered with mountain herbage, that crowned the brow of a precipice. From an opening between the trees he could overlook all the lower country for many a mile of rich woodland. † Here Washington Irving described the surrounding setting of Rip Van Winkle right after he was panting for breath as feeling tired at the time. We will write a custom essay sample on Literary Analysis of Rip Van Winkle or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This description is just appropriate for both the atmosphere and plot that were going along in the story. A person was so tired that he even has a heavy breathe and when he sees the graceful natural scene presenting in his sight at that time, he must be comfortable as a feeling and wants to have a nice rest at once. So Rip Van Winkle lay musing on the scene and the mood of this part of story is presented as leisurely and comfortable for Rip Van Winkle enjoying the beautiful scenery. Not a long while from Rip Van Winkle appreciating the natural setting, the plot of story goes to a wide transition when Rip Van Winkle heard a voice from a distance hallooing his name but there was nothing but just the evening closing in. And what made the atmosphere became so fearful and suspenseful was the description in the story that â€Å"At the same time Wolf bristled up his back and giving a low growl, skulked to his master’s side, looking fearfully down into the glen. Rip now felt a vague apprehension stealing over him; he looked anxiously in the same direction and perceived a strange figure slowly toiling up the rocks and bending under the weight of something he carried on his back. He was surprised to see any human being in this lonely and unfrequented place, but supposing it to be someone of the neighborhood in need of his assistance he hastened down to yield it. † This quote of the description that fully expresses a certain feeling of terror and eerie which has the same effect on the mood of story. The narration of the reaction of Rip Van Winkle’s dog which â€Å"bristled up his back† and howled could be considered as a really lively depiction to show the unusual actions of animal, which is a population that also has vital signs as human. As a result of using the side description effectively by Washington Irving, the major mood of each part of the story was clearly revealed such as the quote above. As Rip Van Winkle followed the old stranger and saw a group of weird people playing a novel game, there is still a description that â€Å"Nothing interrupted the stillness of the scene, but the noise of the balls, which, whenever they were rolled, echoed along the mountains like rumbling peals of thunder. † and â€Å"that his heart turned within him, and his knees smote together. His companion now emptied the contents of the keg into large flagons and made signs to him to wait upon the company. He obeyed with fear and trembling†. This two quotes indicates a strong expressive force by portraying a silent and depressive surrounding environment so that to make the noise of rolling balls prominent for the figure and simultaneously, for the reader that from their heart when reading the description. Therefore, what the readers’ feeling was like is the same as what the mood of this part of story displaying. That is, the depressive depiction has an affection of making the environment of story seemed dreadful and frightens both the character and readers. In conclusion, the description that went through the entire story is, as I said in the beginning of essay, diversiform and remarkably true to life for not only expressing the primary plot of story, but also builds up the most changeful mood for each different scene. Among all of the Romantic authors, Washington Irving is one of the most outstanding one who has done well in describing a scene of story that reveals the mood distinctly to indicate the main idea of story.