I think the climax is when Rip returns back to town because he sees that no one recognizes him, his house is decaying, and notices the picture of General Washington on the new hotel that stands where...
Characters Rip Van Winkle: Meek, easygoing, ne'er-do-well resident of the village who wanders off to the mountains and meets strange men playing ninepins. Dame Van Winkle: Rip's nagging wife....