Prepared by the researche : Ahmad Abhari – University of Malaga, Spain
Democratic Arabic Center
Journal of Iranian orbits : Twenty-Eighth Issue – June 2025
A Periodical International Journal published by the “Democratic Arab Center” Germany – Berlin
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Abstract
This study explored how living in two eras affects individuals by analyzing Rip’s transformation, alienation, and struggle to adapt. The research examined challenges in adapting to major social and historical changes, linking them to the Qur’anic story of the Men of the Cave. Using a Descriptive- Analytic method, it was assumed that adapting to a new environment poses challenges to overcome, and it was believed that a fresh start inspires people to persevere and move forward in life. The study found that feelings of injustice and dissatisfaction can serve as motivators for the pursuit of a better life, the study also found that historical events could significantly shape an individual’s identity, even during isolation and confusion. The study recommended further research on early American literature and its connections to contemporary developments.
Introduction:
Washington Irving’s 1819 story “Rip Van Winkle” set in a small American village before the Revolutionary War, Rip Van Winkle was kind but lazy man. To avoid his responsibilities and his wife’s constant scolding, he often escaped into the nearby mountains. One day, while exploring the mountains, Rip came across a group of strange men dressed in old-fashioned clothes who were playing a game and drinking together. He joined them, took a drink, and quickly fell into a deep sleep. When Rip finally awoke, he was shocked to find that his beard had grown long, and his gun was rusty from years of neglect. Returning to his village, he realized that 20 years had passed while he was asleep. To his surprise, the American Revolution has taken place and changed everything around him. His wife had died, his children were grown, and his hometown was full of unfamiliar faces and places, making him feel like a stranger in his own village (Irving 1896, Greene 2000).
Eventually, the towns’ people recognized Rip and accepted his story, having heard local legends of supernatural figures in the mountains. Rip resumed his carefree life, now free from his wife’s complaints, and spent his remaining years telling his story to anyone who would listen. Through Rip’s journey, Irving explored themes of transformation, identity, alienation, and freedom, reflecting the social changes in America during and after the Revolutionary War. As the story unfolded, the suspenseful events captivate readers as Irving skillfully held their attention through a series of vivid, engaging scenes that reveal his storytelling talent. Readers find humor in Rip’s conflicts with his wife and appreciate how Irving weaved timeless themes into the story, making it relevant across generations. Irving’s work remains influential, providing scholars with important insights into the foundations of early American literature (Mansouri 2024). The idea of “living in two -time periods” has reflected the experience of being connected to both past and present worlds, often highlighting the contrast between a person’s past life and current reality (Mattisson et al. 2005). In Irving’s story, this concept is embodied in the character of Rip.
- 1The significance of the study
This study was significant as it explored the themes of transformation and alienation in Rip Van Winkle’s character, encouraging readers to consider the impact of historical events on daily life. It also examined personal changes that shaped individual experiences. The analysis remained relevant as rapid technological, political, and social shifts continued to redefine both personal and collective identities.
1.2 Problem of the study
The researcher highlighted a major problem: the lack of interest in early American literature and the disconnect between classic literary works and current events. Connecting literature to current events fosters a better life and global stability.
- The Research Question
This study raised the following question:
What emotions might emerge from experiencing life in two different time periods, facing the conflicts between distinct eras and navigating unfamiliar changes?
- Methodology
The paper used a Descriptive- Analytic method to examine individuals’ emotions as they navigated different time periods and the contrasts they faced in their changing lives.
- Aim of the Study
The study sought to explore the effects of experiencing two different time periods through short, fanciful or miraculous stories. It aimed to present these stories to readers in order to broaden their imaginative perspectives and foster an appreciation of early American literature. The primary aim was to show how Washington Irving used story events to encourage readers to reflect on identity, history and the tension between continuity and change on both a personal and a social level.
- Literature Review
The study used Google Scholar and the Web of Science to review literature on two key themes: escaping reality as a stage of transformation and the sense of alienation individuals experience when returning to a new life. By exploring these themes, readers could gain insight into how people may feel isolated from their surroundings, struggle to adapt the change of social behaviors and norms, and grapple with a profound sense of disconnection from the life they once knew.
- Escape from the Real World
Irving conveyed a powerful message by encouraging readers to reflect on the role of each character. Rip Van Winkle represented vulnerability, influenced by his difficult circumstances and tumultuous relationship with his wife. In contrast, his wife, Dame Van Winkle, symbolized strength and exerted control over Rip. Irving portrayed Rip as “a good, simple man, a kind neighbor, obedient” (Irving 8) who longed for stability and an escape from his troubled existence. Through this portrayal, Irving suggested that even those with gentle, peace-seeking dispositions might resort to alternative means even supernatural powers to escape hardship in their quest for tranquility and security, demonstrating “a denial of reality that plays a crucial role in the development of emerging cultures” (Shehabat and Al Zedanin 75).
In Rip Van Winkle, the theme of escaping reality was important to Rip’s growth as a character. Tired of the pressures of everyday life-especially from his bossy wife-Rip sought solace in nature. Dumplings described this escape as moving from the real world to a perfect place, an ideal society where people could live freely without interference (Lei 23). Rip’s first escape was a physical journey into the mountains, which eventually led to a more profound form of escape when he fell into a long sleep and awoke twenty years later to discover a completely changed world. The image of sleep symbolized the myth of a past golden age as well as the hope of a future revival (Portelli). A new life had emerged for the main character, the life he wanted to live before he fell asleep. This sleep served as a symbolic escape, allowing Rip to avoid the hardships he would have otherwise endured. Upon awakening, Rip discovered that the burdens of his past life were gone, freeing him from the responsibilities and pressures he once faced. Through Rip’s extraordinary escape, Irving explored both the appeal and the consequences of seeking refuge from reality.
Irving’s message suggested that even those who appear weak have inner strength-integrity and the potential for transformation. Similarly, nations may face difficult circumstances but retain the capacity to persevere and reshape their future, driven by the hope of a new era of independence. Despite the constraints imposed by political or economic forces, people continue to dream and trust in the eventual realization of their rights. They believe that oppressive forces will eventually fade away-symbolized by the death of Rip Van Winkle’s wife, “she too had died”-and that a new era of freedom and independence will emerge, represented by “a flag…a singular collection of stars and stripes. Rip’s life has changed, and transformation has occurred, and Irving intended to “convey moral messages of change and rebirth” (Shehabat and Al Zedanin 75).
- Sense of Alienation
The theme of alienation was prominent in Rip Van Winkle, as Rip awoke to a world radically altered by the passage of time and revolutionary change. Rip said, “I am not myself, but it was my last night” (Wang). After twenty years of sleep, Rip returned to his village finding himself a stranger in a once familiar environment. He experienced profound alienation as the people around him didn’t recognize him; he felt disconnected from the new social and political environment. He found that the former British colonial village is now part of the independent United States, and Rip was confused by the unfamiliar customs, fashions, and intense political discussions that had replaced the quiet, leisurely community he once knew. He found himself a stranger amidst the changes that surrounded him.
Rip’s alienation ran deeper on a personal level; he has discovered that those he once knew are either dead or changed beyond recognition. Even his role as a submissive husband has vanished with the death of his wife. This isolation and sense of detachment made Rip an outsider, disconnected not only from his community, but from the era itself. Through Rip’s experience, Irving explored how social change could leave individuals feeling displaced, symbolizing the broader struggle of those who find it difficult to adapt to rapid social and political change.
A similar story in the Holy Qur’an, known as the “Men of the Cave”, is found in Surah Al-Kahf (18:9-26). This story follows a group of young men who fled their city because of the idolatrous practices of those around them. Seeking refuge from persecution for their faith, they hid in a cave where they miraculously fell into a long sleep. When they finally awoke, many years had passed, and they discovered that the society that once rejected them now accepted the monotheistic beliefs they secretly held. This story emphasized themes of faith and the desire to escape reality, as well as the sense of alienation they felt upon returning to their village, which has changed significantly (Ibrahim). They struggled to adapt to their new life and faced difficulties such as not being able to buy their property because the currency had changed.
To sum up, the world is changing, and our ability to understand these changes is often limited. The story of Rip Van Winkle in Irving’s tale parallels that of the Men of the Cave in that both stories explore the theme of escaping reality to seek a new life or the ideal life they wish to live. Both groups yearn for tranquility and stability, striving to live and practice their beliefs or ideal lives away from the disturbances of the outside world. Despite their different intentions and interests, both Rip and the young men find that everything around them has changed. They had to navigate their relationships in new contexts and adapted to circumstances that are unfamiliar, yet essential to their lives.
A literary analysis of the themes in both stories reveal a blurring of reality and imagination, encouraging readers to interpret and draw their own conclusions. Both Irving and the Holy Qur’an skillfully transport readers from the harsh reality of the characters to an alternate existence where they could achieve stability and live in accordance with their desires. While these narratives share a common theme of seeking balance, they also suggest that accepting reality is not the only option. Instead of surrendering, people are encouraged to seek guidance, with nature playing a crucial role in guiding individuals to their true paths.
- Results
The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and emotions of individuals living in two different time periods and the challenges they face in their new lives. The study primarily analyzed Rip Van Winkle by Irving, while also using a similar example from the Holy Qur’an, specifically the story of the Men of the Cave, to address the question of the study. The findings indicated that the first period was marked by difficulties and obstacles that made it difficult for both Rip Van Winkle and the group in the cave to continue in their current realities. Both Rip and the men in the cave tried to escape from the unbearable circumstances surrounding them, considering their different attitudes, locations, length of sleep, and sensitivities, although the Holy Quran did not specify the location of the event (Iqbal).They were subjected to a force beyond their control – whether it was a miracle or some other force – that caused them to fall into a deep sleep, only to awaken to a new life. They had to face a new reality that was different from the one they had known and longed for before their prolonged slumber, but they eventually accepted.
The study found that people living in two different time periods experienced a mixture of confusion and alienation as they navigate the changes affecting their new reality. Despite these challenges, people strive to adapt, and the new circumstances motivate them to embrace life as it is.
Conclusion
The dramatic changes Rip faced after awakening from his 20-year sleep lead to an identity crisis as he struggled to reconcile his past with an unfamiliar society. His story was initially met with skepticism until an elder villager confirmed his account. Similarly, the men of the cave, as narrated in the Holy Qur’an, experienced confusion, fear, and alienation upon awakening from their long slumber. They grappled with cultural changes, fears of persecution, and the challenge of proving their miraculous experience. Both stories highlighted themes of faith, resilience, and the search for identity in a changed world but they were obligated to live new life despite their alienation and this motivated them to be active members within the new society. Future studies could further explore the significance of Rip Van Winkle in literature, history, and society.
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[1] Ahmad Abhari, University of Malaga, Spain .
