Rip Van Winkle” is considered an allegory because its characters are symbolic. For example, at the beginning of the story, Rip Van Winkle represents the complacent American at the time of the Revolution because he acquiesces to his wife. Who/What does Dame Van Winkle represent? How do the changes in Rip after his lengthy slumber relate to the changes in America after the war? Support your answers with textual evidence.