Tiểu luận Văn học Mỹ

HUE UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTE OF OPEN EDUCATION
AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
ENGLISH LANGUAGE

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AMERICAN LITERATURE
PROJECT
Student: Nguyễn Hữu Sơn
Student’s code: 7052900460
Class: Nghệ An 6

Nghệ An, 7/2023
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Part 1: Write a short professional bio data about your profession,
responsibilities, education, interests and current work.
My full name is Bui Tuan Anh, I am currently a doctor of general surgery,
Ha Tinh Hospital. My duties are cancer surgery, benign tumors and surgical
interventions to restore life function for cancer patients, participate in cancer
prevention activities in the area assigned by the hospital's director.. At the
same time, after surgery, I will be the one to directly resuscitate and take care
to ensure safety, avoid complications and handle post-operative abnormalities.
I have been working in oncology and have been an anesthesiologist for 3 years.
I love my job very much and will continue to try to improve, learn and improve
my professional knowledge and skills. That is my current and future goal, the
purpose of improving my knowledge and providing the best care and

treatment for patients.
Volunteering and community involvement is probably my best
hobby/interest could, as it’s associated with 27% higher odds of employment.
In a nutshell, volunteering shows initiative, empathy, and the ability to see
beyond my personal interests. On top of this, volunteering teaches organizational
skills, teamwork, and leadership.

Part 2: What is the significance of the conflict between natural and
supernatural elements in highlighting the themes of “Rip Van Winkle”?
The conflict between natural and supernatural elements in "Rip Van Winkle"
serves to highlight several important themes in Washington Irving's famous short
story. By juxtaposing the ordinary world of nature with the extraordinary world of the
supernatural, Irving explores themes of time, change, the passage of generations,
and the concept of the American identity.

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Time and Change: The supernatural element in the story is central to the
theme of time and change. When Rip Van Winkle falls asleep in the Catskill
Mountains and wakes up after twenty years, he finds that everything around him has
transformed. His village, once a British colony, is now an independent United States.
The conflict between the natural passage of time in the human world and the magical
timelessness of the supernatural world emphasizes the inevitability of change and
the impermanence of human existence.
Generational Shift: The contrast between the natural and supernatural also
highlights the theme of generational shift. Rip Van Winkle's long sleep represents the
passing of time and the changing of generations. He is confronted with the reality
that the people he once knew and the world he was familiar with have aged and
evolved without him. This underscores the idea that life goes on, and the world

continues to change, even when individuals are absent from it.
Nature as a Comforting Element: Throughout the story, nature is depicted as a
source of comfort and familiarity for Rip Van Winkle. The natural landscape of the
Catskill Mountains offers him a place of solace and escape from the responsibilities
and troubles of his daily life. In contrast, the supernatural elements in the story, such
as the strange figures in the mountains, evoke feelings of fear and uncertainty. This
contrast emphasizes the grounding and reassuring influence of nature amidst the
uncertainties and mysteries of the supernatural.
American Identity and Independence: "Rip Van Winkle" was written during a
time when America was establishing its national identity and asserting its
independence from Britain. Rip's transformation from a subject of the British crown
to a citizen of the newly formed United States symbolizes the birth of American
nationhood and the importance of embracing change and progress in a young and
evolving nation.
In conclusion, the conflict between natural and supernatural elements in "Rip
Van Winkle" serves to underscore themes of time, change, generational shift, and the
significance of the American identity. By weaving these elements together,
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Washington Irving creates a timeless and thought-provoking narrative that continues
to resonate with readers, prompting contemplation about the passage of time and
the evolving nature of human societies.

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