“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving appeared in 1820 in his collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. A masterful blend of gothic horror and humor, the story takes place in a secluded Dutch settlement in upstate New York. It chronicles the tale of Ichabod Crane, a superstitious and lanky schoolmaster, as he competes for the hand of the wealthy Katrina Van Tassel. However, Ichabod’s path is haunted by the legendary Headless Horseman, a fearsome specter rumored to be the ghost of a Hessian soldier who lost his head in the Revolutionary War.

Main Events in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

1. Sleepy Hollow: A Haunted Valley: The story opens with a description of Sleepy Hollow – a secluded, dreamy valley steeped in supernatural lore and Dutch traditions.
2. Ichabod Crane: An Eccentric Schoolmaster: Ichabod is introduced as a tall, lanky schoolmaster with a love for ghost stories, singing, and a voracious appetite (“his appetite for the marvelous, and his powers of digesting it, were equally extraordinary”).
3. Rivalry for Katrina: Brom Bones (also known as Brom Van Brunt), a burly, boisterous local hero, emerges as Ichabod’s primary rival for the affections of the beautiful and wealthy Katrina Van Tassel.
4. The Van Tassel Harvest Feast: Ichabod attends a lavish autumn party at the Van Tassel farm, indulging in the abundant food and observing the local customs and flirtations.
5. Tales of Terror: After the feast, guests linger and share spooky tales. Brom Bones tells the chilling story of the Headless Horseman, a Hessian soldier who lost his head to a cannonball during the Revolutionary War.
6. Night Ride of Fear: Ichabod departs the party late at night, his mind filled with the ghastly tales, and his imagination playing tricks as every shadow seems menacing.
7. The Headless Pursuit: A dark figure on horseback suddenly appears and relentlessly pursues Ichabod through the woods. Ichabod’s desperation grows as he realizes this could be the legendary Headless Horseman.
8. Race for the Bridge: Ichabod remembers the local tale that ghosts cannot cross the old church bridge and desperately races toward it.
9. Ichabod’s Demise? As Ichabod crosses the bridge, the Horseman seems to hurl his severed head, and Ichabod vanishes.
10. The Aftermath: The next morning, searchers find only Ichabod’s abandoned hat and, mysteriously, a shattered pumpkin.
11. Brom’s Suspicious Smile: Brom Bones is seen with a knowing smile, hinting that he might have orchestrated the whole terrifying prank.
12. Katrina Marries Brom: Katrina Van Tassel eventually marries Brom Bones, leaving readers to speculate on Ichabod’s true intentions.
13. A Whispered Tale: Some Sleepy Hollow locals believe Ichabod was spirited away by the Headless Horseman.
14. Others Suspect a Prank: There’s also a suggestion that Ichabod, scared out of his wits, simply fled the area in humiliation.
15. The Enduring Legend: The story concludes with the ambiguity fueling the tale’s legendary status, forever intertwining the Headless Horseman with the mystique of Sleepy Hollow.

Literary Devices in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

1. Allusion: The story makes several allusions to the supernatural, folk legends, and historical events of the region, including the story of the Headless Horseman.
2. Hyperbole: The story uses hyperbole to exaggerate the supernatural and eerie atmosphere of Sleepy Hollow, such as the description of the Horseman’s appearance.
3. Imagery: The story uses vivid imagery to create a sense of place and atmosphere, such as the description of the autumnal beauty of Sleepy Hollow.
4. Irony: The story uses irony to contrast the rational, intellectual Ichabod Crane with the physical, brawny Brom Bones.
5. Metaphor: The story uses metaphor to describe the character of Ichabod, such as comparing him to a “scarecrow”.
6. Personification: The story personifies the landscape of Sleepy Hollow, describing it as “dreamy and deliciou” and “haunted by strange, misshapen, and spectral shapes”.
7. Point of View: The story is told from the third-person point of view, which allows the narrator to provide objective descriptions of the characters and events.
8. Repetition: The story uses repetition to emphasize the supernatural and eerie nature of Sleepy Hollow, such as the repeated references to ghosts and witches.
9. Satire: The story satirizes the romantic notion of the supernatural and the irrational, contrasting it with the rational and logical perspective of Ichabod Crane.
10. Simile: The story uses simile to describe the physical appearance of Ichabod, such as comparing his nose to a “sharp blade”.
11. Symbolism: The story uses symbolism to represent the clash between the rational and irrational, such as the contrast between Ichabod’s intellect and Brom Bones’ physicality.
12. Theme: The story explores several themes, such as the power of superstition and fear, the struggle between intellect and physicality, and the idea of romantic love.
13. Tone: The story uses a satirical and ironic tone to comment on the irrationality of superstition and the romanticism of the supernatural.
14. Verbal Irony: The story uses verbal irony, such as when Ichabod tries to convince himself that the strange noises he hears are simply the result of natural causes.
15. Foreshadowing: The story uses foreshadowing to hint at the appearance of the Headless Horseman, such as the description of the ominous, dark atmosphere of Sleepy Hollow.

Characterization in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

Major Characters

• Ichabod Crane:
  • Physical Appearance: Tall, lanky, and awkward with “hands that dangled a mile out of his sleeves” and “feet that might have served for shovels.”
  • Superstitious and Imaginative: Deeply believes in ghost stories and the supernatural, his mind constantly filled with spooky tales (“His appetite for the marvelous, and his powers of digesting it, were equally extraordinary”).
  • Opportunistic and Gluttonous: Primarily interested in the Van Tassel’s wealth and the abundance of food at their farm.
  • Cowardly: Easily frightened and ultimately becomes the victim of his own fear (perhaps fleeing Sleepy Hollow in the end).
• Brom Bones (Brom Van Brunt):
  • Robust and Mischievous: A stark contrast to Ichabod, Brom is strong, athletic, and a renowned prankster (“the hero of the country round, which rang with his feats of strength and hardihood”).
  • Confident and Charismatic: Brom possesses a natural charm and is well-liked within the community, making him a formidable rival for Ichabod.
  • Potential Mastermind: His suspicious behavior after Ichabod’s disappearance hints that he may have orchestrated the Headless Horseman prank.
• Katrina Van Tassel:
  • Beautiful and Flirtatious: Described as “blooming” and “plump as a partridge,” Katrina is the object of both Ichabod and Brom’s affections. She enjoys the attention and plays into their rivalry.
  • Wealth-Conscious: Her father’s substantial farm makes her a desirable match, and her choice of the robust Brom suggests a preference for practicality over Ichabod’s eccentricities.

Minor Characters

• Baltus Van Tassel: Katrina’s father, a prosperous and hospitable Dutch farmer. He represents the bounty and comfort of Sleepy Hollow.
• The Sleepy Hollow Residents: The villagers are characterized by their love of storytelling, their strong belief in the supernatural, and their simple, rural lifestyle.
• The Headless Horseman: The central figure of legend. His ominous presence and spectral pursuit of Ichabod create the core of the story’s spooky atmosphere.

Major Themes in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

The Power of Superstition and Folklore:

• Sleepy Hollow’s Atmosphere: The valley itself is described as steeped in supernatural lore, where ghost stories and legends are deeply ingrained in the local culture.
• Ichabod’s Belief: Ichabod is intensely superstitious, his mind constantly filled with tales of witches and goblins, making him an easy target for fear and manipulation.
• The Headless Horseman: The central figure of the legend becomes a symbol of the power of the supernatural, its terrifying presence driving Ichabod’s downfall.

Clash Between Tradition and Progress:

• Sleepy Hollow vs. Change: The story presents Sleepy Hollow as a place resistant to change, clinging to old traditions and beliefs.
• Ichabod as Outsider: Ichabod, with his interest in books and ideas, represents a potential shift from Sleepy Hollow’s established ways. He’s seen as an outsider, and his outsider status contributes to his vulnerability.

Greed and Consumerism:

• Ichabod’s Food Obsession: Ichabod’s primary motivation for courting Katrina seems to be his desire for the Van Tassel’s wealth and abundant food supply.
• Sleepy Hollow’s Bounty: The story emphasizes the rich harvests and laden tables of Sleepy Hollow, highlighting a sense of materialism.

Ambiguity and the Power of Storytelling:

• The Vanishing Act: Ichabod’s ultimate fate is left open-ended. Did he flee in fear? Was he taken by the supernatural?
• Brom’s Laughter, Katrina’s Choice: These details suggest a more earthly explanation, hinting at a possible prank.
• The Enduring Legend: The ambiguity fuels the tale’s legendary status, making the story itself as much a part of Sleepy Hollow’s folklore as the Headless Horseman.

Writing Style in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

Descriptive and Evocative Language:

• Opening description of Sleepy Hollow as a “drowsy,” “dreamy” place filled with “listless repose”.
• Vivid imagery of the autumn feast at the Van Tassel farm, overflowing with “luxurious” dishes.

Rich and Varied Vocabulary (Archaic & Dialectical):

• Words like “covey” (a small flock of birds), “peradventure” (perhaps), and “wight” (creature).
• Dutch-inflected phrases like “doughty” (brave) to reinforce setting.

Humor and Satire:

• Exaggerated portrayal of Ichabod’s lanky appearance, gluttony, and superstitious nature.
• Mocking descriptions of Ichabod’s singing voice as resembling a “rooster’s crow.”

Imagery and Figurative Language:

• “The pedagogue’s mouth watered…” (metaphor suggesting Ichabod’s greed)
• The Headless Horseman is compared to a rushing storm, emphasizing his power and terror.

Overall: Imaginative, Lyrical, and Engaging

• A sense of playfulness throughout the story.
• Smooth, flowing sentences that paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

1. Gothic Literature:

• Supernatural Elements: The Headless Horseman is a classic gothic figure, a ghost rooted in Revolutionary War lore and haunting Sleepy Hollow.
• Atmosphere of Fear and Mystery: Irving builds suspense with tales shared after the feast, and Ichabod’s terrifying night ride is filled with shadowy figures and ominous sounds.
• Focus on the Irrational: Ichabod’s superstitious nature and belief in the supernatural drive much of the plot’s tension and his ultimate demise (or disappearance).

2. Mythological/Archetypal Criticism:

• The Hero’s Journey: Ichabod, while hardly heroic, follows some steps of the hero’s quest: a call to adventure (Katrina’s allure), facing trials (Brom, the Horseman), and potential transformation/disappearance.
• Universal Archetypes: The Headless Horseman could be seen as a figure representing death or the fear of the unknown. The valley of Sleepy Hollow can symbolize a descent into a more primal realm.

3. Feminist Criticism:

• Katrina’s Limited Role: While a central object of desire, Katrina lacks agency. Her primary function is as a prize to be won between suitors.
• Female Stereotypes?: Could be read as either subverting the “damsel in distress” trope (she marries Brom) or as a critique of women who value material security over other factors.

4. Historical/New Historicist Criticism:

• Post-Revolutionary Setting: The story is set in the aftermath of the American Revolution. This could be a commentary on anxieties of a young nation still finding its identity, or on fears of the old being forgotten.
• Dutch vs. Yankee?: Tension between Ichabod, a potential outsider of “Connecticut” origins, and the established Dutch families of Sleepy Hollow can be read as representing a changing American landscape.

Important Note: It’s essential to remember that there’s no single “right” interpretation. The beauty of literature is its ability to be analyzed through different lenses and spark unique discussions!

Questions and Thesis Statements about “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

Questions:

1. How does Washington Irving use the character of Ichabod Crane to satirize society’s obsession with wealth and social status in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”?
2. In “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” how does Irving use the motif of the supernatural to explore the tension between rationality and imagination?
3. What role does Katrina Van Tassel play in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and how does she embody the tension between tradition and modernity?
4. How does Washington Irving use the setting of Sleepy Hollow to create a mood of mystery and foreboding in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”?
5. What is the significance of the Headless Horseman in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and how does his legend reflect the fears and anxieties of early American society?

Thesis Statements:

1. In “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” Washington Irving uses the character of Ichabod Crane to satirize the shallow and materialistic values of early American society, highlighting the dangers of pursuing wealth and social status at any cost.
2. By incorporating supernatural elements into “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” Washington Irving explores the tension between rationality and imagination, ultimately suggesting that both have a place in understanding the world.
3. Through the character of Katrina Van Tassel, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” portrays the tension between tradition and modernity, suggesting that both have value but can also lead to conflict and misunderstanding.
4. Washington Irving’s use of the setting of Sleepy Hollow in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” creates a mood of mystery and foreboding, highlighting the dark and mysterious aspects of human nature that lie beneath the surface of even the most idyllic communities.
5. The legend of the Headless Horseman in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” reflects the fears and anxieties of early American society, highlighting the dangers of a world that is rapidly changing and seemingly out of control.

Short Question-Answer “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

• Who is the protagonist of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”?
• The protagonist of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is Ichabod Crane, a schoolteacher who is described as tall, lanky, and somewhat superstitious. He is interested in marrying Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of a wealthy farmer, and becomes obsessed with the idea of winning her over.
• What is the significance of the Headless Horseman in the story?
• The Headless Horseman is a ghostly figure who is said to haunt the town of Sleepy Hollow. He is believed to be the ghost of a Hessian soldier who lost his head to a cannonball during the Revolutionary War. In the story, the Headless Horseman becomes a symbol of fear and terror, representing the supernatural forces that lurk in the darkness of the night.
• What is the theme of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”?
• One of the main themes of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is the power of imagination and the fear of the unknown. The story explores how the human mind can conjure up terrifying images and beliefs, even when there is no concrete evidence to support them. It also examines the role of superstition and folklore in shaping people’s beliefs and behavior.
• What is the ending of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”?
• The ending of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is left open to interpretation. Ichabod Crane disappears after encountering the Headless Horseman on a bridge, and his hat and a shattered pumpkin are found the next morning. Some people in the town believe that he was taken by the ghost, while others think he simply fled in fear. The story suggests that the supernatural may be real, but it also leaves room for the possibility that Ichabod’s own imagination may have gotten the best of him.

Literary Works Similar to “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

·  Other Works by Washington Irving:

• “Rip Van Winkle”: Shares thematic concerns of folklore, the impact of societal change on the individual, and a setting steeped in the Dutch heritage of the Hudson Valley.
• “The Devil and Tom Walker”: Explores themes of greed, the Faustian bargain, and a darkly humorous exploration of supernatural influence within a historical American context.

·  Gothic Literature Tradition:

• “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe: Focuses on themes of psychological terror, decaying settings, and the exploration of the uncanny, creating a similar atmosphere of unease as “Sleepy Hollow.”
• Works by Nathaniel Hawthorne (particularly “Young Goodman Brown” and “The Scarlet Letter”): Explores Puritan influences on American society, the duality of human nature, and the ambiguity between the natural and supernatural realms.

·  Folkloric Influences:

• German folktales, such as “The Legend of Rübezahl”: Irving drew inspiration from these tales, evident in “Sleepy Hollow’s” blend of whimsy, supernatural elements, and rural settings.
• Celtic Mythology: Shares thematic similarities in figures like the Dullahan (a headless horseman in Irish folklore), emphasizing the universality of archetypal fears and their enduring power in literature.

Suggested Readings: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

Scholarly Articles:

• Carpenter, Scott DeLancey. “Washington Irving and the American Ghost Story.” Early American Literature vol. 51, no. 1, 2016, pp. 7-26. Project MUSE, doi:10.1353/eal.2016.0001.
• Magistrale, Tony, and Michael A. Morrison. “Ichabod Crane and the Ghost of Hamlet.” The Explicator vol. 61, no. 4, 2003, pp. 211-214. Taylor & Francis Online, doi: 10.1080/00144940309597809.
• Phillips, Elizabeth. “History, Legend, and ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”’ Nineteenth-Century Literature vol. 71, no. 1, 2016, pp. 41-68. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/ncl.2016.71.1.41.

Books:

• Burstein, Andrew. The Original Knickerbocker: The Life of Washington Irving. Basic Books, 2007.
• Jones, Brian Jay. Washington Irving: An American Original. Arcade Publishing, 2008.
• Ringe, Donald. American Gothic: Imagination and Reason in Nineteenth-Century Fiction. The University Press of Kentucky, 1982.

Websites:

• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Encyclopedia.com. 16 Mar 2024. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/legend-sleepy-hollow
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. LitCharts. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-legend-of-sleepy-hollow
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow | Summary, Characters, Author, & Facts. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Legend-of-Sleepy-Hollow