Which excerpt from “Rip Van Winkle” best shows that Washington Irving finds humor in the Van Winkles’ relationship?
“I have observed that he was a simple, good-natured man; he was moreover a kind neighbor, and an obedient, henpecked husband.”
“As to Rip’s son and heir, who was the ditto of himself, seen leaning against the tree, he was employed to work on the farm; but evinced an hereditary disposition to attend to any thing else but his business.”
“True it is, in all points of spirit befitting an honorable dog, he was as courageous an animal as ever scoured the woods—”
“A termagant wife may, therefore, in some respects, be considered a tolerable blessing; and if so, Rip Van Winkle was thrice blessed.”
