of the young system is exposed when Rip is first accused of attempting to start ariot, and then of being a spy for the British. Eventually, after inquiring of his old friends,Rip asks about the whereabouts of his wife, who he is told died from a broken bloodvessel in a fit of anger at a merchant in New England. This ironic death represents theBritish loss of power over the colonies due to their anger becoming more powerful thantheir care for control over the colonies. However, even more devious is Rips reactionupon hearing of his wifes death. The emotion felt by Rip is described by Irving ascomfort, paralleling the sigh of relief breathed by the colonies after being releasedfrom British control.Irving sums up his satirical view of democracy towards the end of the story, afterRip is placed back into society to fully understand and interpret the new government. Itis obvious that Irving promotes Rips laziness and carefree attitude as the ideal andtypical colonist, and he uses this characterization to analyze the young democracy. WhileRip understands that there was a war, and that his status of citizenship is changed, yet hestill is the same person. Irving is mocking the lack of importance of the dramaticchanges to many Americans. The one aspect of his former life that he is glad to have losthowever, is what is referred to by Irving as petticoat government. (Irving 908) DameVan Winkle no longer had a tight grip on his affairs, and now he was truly free.In one final satirical blow to the values of his present society, Irving closes thestory with a note from the the invented author, Diedrich Knickerbocker. In this note hebegins to explain that while the events discussed in the story may seem questionable, hehas talked with Rip himself. However, he stops himself, realizing that claimingfirst-handed experience will not win credulity. Instead he says that a judge signed acertificate saying the story was true, which must convince ever...
