Another theme that runs through Rip Van Winkle is lazines. Rip's laziness is eventually punished. His punishment was to remain asleep for 20 years. As a result of his 20 year nap, he misses watching his children grow up, his wife dies, and the village changes. He also sleeps through the entire American Revolution.
However, the story also suggests that laziness has been rewarded. His wife, who was very critical of his lack of initiative, when he wakes up, is dead, and, therefore, he is freed from her nagging and her constant criticism. He no longer has to run and hide in the woods to find peace in his life.
His life, after he wakes up, is better than it was before he fell asleep.
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