Rip falls asleep when the American colonies are still ruled by England, but wakes, seemingly, to a new nation: how does his situation before and after his sleep parallel the changes that come to America?

Rip falls asleep when the American colonies are still ruled by England, but wakes, seemingly, to a new nation: how does his situation before and after his sleep parallel the changes that come to America? Consider especially the idea of freedom as it applies to Rip’s circumstances.