1. one of the men is the commander the other is the stranger
2. I think it is so that way there is a slight origin to where the story came from.
3. I think Rip's long sleep is a punishment cause the world has changed and twenty or so years have passed.
4. Rip has a "meekness of spirit" this is blamed from the nagging of his wife.
5. One other character I can think of that sorta compares to Rip van Winkle is Ichabod Crane
6. I think Rip is consistent with his actions
7. The Inn, The flagon drink, and The union hotel
8.
9. It's probably not to realistic sense the author has never really been to it
10. So that way he would wake up at the perfect time of the civil war.
That they are at a high level of education and to respect them
I believe that the thrush's song changed the mood because it was a song filled with hope from the divine that inspired him. Darkling Thrush refers to a bird who is weak and fragile, however, even with these qualities, he sacrificed himself.
Entertainment would be the answer