An Allegorical Reading of Rip Van WinkleIn "Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving, we can see an allegorical reading. Irving's genius shines through not only in his portrayal in the story, but also in his ability to represent both sides of the hot-button political issues of the day. Because it was written during the Revolutionary era, Irving must have addressed a mixed audience of colonists and conservatives. The political interest of the reader, whether British or colonial, is represented allegorically in “Rip Van Winkle,” depending on who is reading it. Irving uses Rip, Lady, and his setting to tell these allegorical images from both sides. Irving would be successful in England and America, largely because his political satires had individual allegorical meanings. In an English interpretation, one could see Rip Van Winkle as the motherland or England. Rip is “a kind neighbor and an obedient, peckish husband.” (430) To an English citizen reading this story, it could easily represent the English monarchy. For years before the revolution, America had defied the king by refusing to pay taxes; supporting the militia that protected it from the French, Spanish and Indians; and in many ways hindering progress in the colonies. England could easily have been seen as “peckish” in the way it managed the colonies. Many tax laws, such as the Stamp Act, were ignored and the monarchy was seen as incompetent in its dealings with the colonies. The Crown imposed no penalties against the settler when these acts were defied. The Crown simply agreed not to receive the money. Rip is seen in the town as a person who helped everyone with everything except his own family - "...he was a simple…… middle of paper…… liberties." Irving uses many other images and scenes in this story that could be explored further. However, I believe these three main points, along with knowledge of the political climate of the time, show Irving's genius in his ability to represent both sides of the political spectrum. Irving was able to meet the needs of both the British and the colonists without offending either side. Irving's genius was that although it was an allegory of its times, its elements could represent either or both sides of the conflict during the Revolution. This double representation in an allegorical story ensured his success, in both countries, as a writer. This allowed Irving to make a political statement without taking sides. Works Cited: Irving, Washington. “Tear apart Van Winkle.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Bayn. New York: Norton & Company, 1999.