In every society that I know of, there are cultural expectations. Literature tends to follow the same expectations. We have had quite a few stories in this class where we focused on cultural expectations. Rip in "Rip Van Winkle," Editha and George in "Editha and Major Molineux in "My Kinsman, Major Molineux" are all victims of cultural expectations.

Let me start with "Rip Van Winkle." This story actually takes place in two different time periods. Before Rip fell asleep, he was living in the pre-colonial era of the United States. He was expected to work and take care of his family. "The great error in Rip's composition was an insuperable aversion to all kinds of profitable labor." (943) He had no qualms about work its self but he just found himself doing work for others instead of supporting his own family. He would hunt and fish, assist a friend...