Wednesday, May 12, 2010
I had never read the story of Rip Van Winkle before it was assigned in class; however, I remember hearing references to it at different times while I was growing up. While I don't know exactly what I expected from the story, I did have expectations before reading it. I suppose I thought it would be an exciting story, mainly focusing on Rip's experiences after his 20 year slumber.
Those who have read the story know that this is not the case. Although it does discuss the changes which occured during the American Revolution (the time period Rip missed while sleeping), most of the story focuses on Rip's earlier life. I didn't enjoy this piece of writing as much as I expected to, or as much as I wish I would have. While I think it provides interesting commentary on the changes in America which occured through the Revolutionary War, I wasn't particularly fond of the story and I wasn't drawn into it like I expected to be.
That said, I did enjoy the contrast between the first and second time periods in the story. I can't help but think about how strange and bizarre it would be (really, quite unbelievable) to experience what Rip does. Rip awoke to a whole new country, and with that change came cultural changes too. A new leader, new holiday, and new freedom for self-government.
How much more, though, would the world change if someone awoke today from 20 years of sleep? Our society has seen enormous change in the past 20 years. 1990. That's 20 years ago. No internet, cell phones, smart cars, or reality TV (although, If I had my choice, I'd prefer to go back to the 90's on this one). The scope of these changes (well, at least the first 2 - I don't want to give reality TV that much credit) has affected society all over the world. Can you imagine waking up to this? I can't.
It all makes me wonder, what changes will we see in the next 20 years? Will they be as great as the ones we've just experienced, or similar to the ones Rip Van Winkle sees? or will they be smaller? I don't know.
...I guess we'll all just have to wait and see.
Those who have read the story know that this is not the case. Although it does discuss the changes which occured during the American Revolution (the time period Rip missed while sleeping), most of the story focuses on Rip's earlier life. I didn't enjoy this piece of writing as much as I expected to, or as much as I wish I would have. While I think it provides interesting commentary on the changes in America which occured through the Revolutionary War, I wasn't particularly fond of the story and I wasn't drawn into it like I expected to be.
That said, I did enjoy the contrast between the first and second time periods in the story. I can't help but think about how strange and bizarre it would be (really, quite unbelievable) to experience what Rip does. Rip awoke to a whole new country, and with that change came cultural changes too. A new leader, new holiday, and new freedom for self-government.
How much more, though, would the world change if someone awoke today from 20 years of sleep? Our society has seen enormous change in the past 20 years. 1990. That's 20 years ago. No internet, cell phones, smart cars, or reality TV (although, If I had my choice, I'd prefer to go back to the 90's on this one). The scope of these changes (well, at least the first 2 - I don't want to give reality TV that much credit) has affected society all over the world. Can you imagine waking up to this? I can't.
It all makes me wonder, what changes will we see in the next 20 years? Will they be as great as the ones we've just experienced, or similar to the ones Rip Van Winkle sees? or will they be smaller? I don't know.
...I guess we'll all just have to wait and see.
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