a sentence in the story says that a quarrelsome wife may be a blessing what does that mean in rip van winkle
Wasn't Rip's wife trying to get him to work?
yes so i could put that a wife that makes you work hard is a good wife Ms. Sue
In the story of "Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving, there is a sentence that states, "A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use." This sentence suggests that a quarrelsome or argumentative wife may actually be a blessing.
To understand the meaning behind this statement in the context of the story, we need to analyze Rip Van Winkle's character and the dynamics of his marital relationship. Rip is portrayed as a laid-back and carefree man who often shirks his responsibilities. His wife, Dame Van Winkle, is depicted as the opposite - she is demanding, nagging, and always scolding Rip for his idle behavior.
In this context, the sentence suggests that Dame Van Winkle's constant nagging and quarreling may have had a positive impact on Rip in some ways. It implies that her sharp tongue and stern demeanor might have helped keep Rip in check, preventing him from completely succumbing to laziness and irresponsibility. Thus, the sentence suggests that a quarrelsome wife can sometimes be seen as a blessing because she effectively keeps her husband on his toes and drives him to take some semblance of action.
It's worth noting that this interpretation is subjective and may differ depending on each reader's perspective and understanding of the story. The meaning of this particular sentence may also vary based on individual analysis and contextual understanding.