Imagine waking up one morning and walking outside to cars flying, moon's dancing and robots prodding down the street. That may be cool, right? It sure would be quite the change, although those examples may be quite a bit overboard. The story of "Rip Van Winkle," by Washington Irving, tells the tale of the protagonist, Rip Van Winkle, and his trip to the future. Although he didn't encounter any robots, he was in a whole new world and yet he didn't realize it at first. He came to realize his wife's death, and that his kids had grown up. Throughout the story, Rip Van Winkle lived a passive life, even before his long nap. The argument that Rip is passive can be seen before he sleeps, how he deals with his wife, and how he resumes life after he wakes up 20 years later.
             In the story of "Rip Van Winkle", it seems as though the character that the story revolves around is passive and doesn't strive to be greater. Does he have a purpose to live for? The first reason this theme is expressed is before he sleeps, through how his actions play out. theme Washington Irving (1819) narrates in the story, "Rip Van Winkle, however, was one of those happy mortals, of foolish, well-oiled dispositions, who take the world easy, eat white bread or brown, whichever can be got with least thought or trouble, and would rather starve on a penny than work for a pound." He goes on to say, "If left to himself, he would have whistled life away" (Irving 10). This direct quote from the story establishes the first basis of Rip's passivity. The way this quote is worded seems to suggest that he will take the easier path in any situation. This quote came from before Rip was put in a deep sleep for 20 years. Although Rip helped his neighbors out, he did so without purpose. In other words, he didn't get anything from it. Doesn't he need money to live, or would he rather help his neighbors and listen to his nagging wife all day? Be...