Answer and Explanation:
The short story "Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving is an allegory. That means its characters and events have a deeper meaning. In this particular case, the story concerns the independence of America.
Rip's wife is a representation of England in the story. She is constantly nagging her husband, always demanding more from him. She sees Rip as lazy and worthless. This is to show how England viewed America in a bad light, how the British perceived Americans as lazy drunkards who did not know better.
Rip, of course, is the representation of America. He is loved by the other villagers, and kids follow him around, hoping he will tell them a story. Women see in him a helpful and strong man who is willing to do chores that their own husbands won't do. It is true, however, that he does not enjoy working on his own farm. He'd rather go hunting, fishing, or simply stay idle all day at the village with other lazy men at the inn's door.
When exploring the Catskills with his dog, Winkle ends up falling asleep. His slumber lasts for 20 years. When he finally wakes up, he finds not only a free country but a free self - his wife has died. Rip's independence is as confusing as America's independence. Rip does not know what to do, how to act, what to pursue. Just like for the newly independent America, things seem good but overwhelming. In the end, Winkle goes back to being his old, idle self.
