The Slumber of Centuries

Worksheet Description

This worksheet tells the tale of Rip Van Winkle, a man from the village of Catskill who escapes the constant nagging of his wife by wandering into the mountains with his dog, Wolf. There, Rip stumbles upon a group of mysterious figures playing nine-pins and, after drinking from their flagon, falls into a deep sleep. He awakens to find that decades have passed; the world he knew has changed, and he has grown old. The once familiar faces of his friends and family have been replaced by those of strangers, leaving Rip to realize that he has slept through a significant portion of his life.

The story is a classic from American literature, meant to teach students about themes of change, the passage of time, and the consequences of idleness. It provides a vivid example of a character who, through an extraordinary event, experiences the swift progression of time and society’s transformation. The legend of Rip Van Winkle is used to illustrate the cultural and personal disorientation that can occur with the loss of time. It also serves as a springboard for discussion about personal responsibility and the importance of being present in one’s life.