The classic short story is considered an example of early american folklore. Not only was the story long, it was quite confusing and very hard for me to. A short piece of gothic literature filled with pranks and humor, the legend of sleepy hollow is one of irvings most enduring works. The legend of sleepy hollow summary and analysis major themes veracity in storytelling veracity in storytelling is a defining theme of the legend of sleepy hollow. One of the most pervasive tales is that of the headless horseman, who rides by on horseback through the nightsupposedly it is the ghost of a hessian trooper whose head was shot off by a cannonball during the revolutionary war. The story opens with a note that it has been found among the possessions of the late diedrich knickerbocker, who is the narrator of sleepy hollow. The legend of sleepy hollow is a short story by american author washington irving, contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories entitled the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent. The story unwillingly accepts the naive side of the female character in the sleepy hollow.
What is it that makes the legend of sleepy hollow scary. Youll get full access to our interactive quizzes and transcripts and can find out how to use our videos to earn real college credit. Washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow would not be complete without its quiet, idyllic setting in the upper northeast. The short story the legend of sleepy hollow contains many important themes, including natures bounty. Learn more about the legend of sleepy hollow with a detailed plot summary and plot diagram. Despite his unattractive appearance, he quickly proves to be a ladies man who charms the local beauty, much to the local tough, brom bones, displeasure. The legend of sleepy hollow full text and analysis owl eyes. The legend of sleepy hollow, short story by washington irving, first published in the sketch book in 181920 the protagonist of the story, ichabod crane, is a yankee schoolteacher who lives in sleepy hollow, a dutch enclave on the hudson river. The legend of sleepy hollow plot summary course hero. There is a quiet and peaceful small town with a wealthy family and all the activities of the townsfolk surround them. The story has been captivating readers since its publication in 1820. Course hero literature instructor russell jaffe provides an indepth analysis of the plot, characters, symbols, and themes of washington irvings short story the legend of sleepy hollow. Knickerbocker describes the setting of the story, greensburgh or tarry towna small port town next to the river that ancient dutch sailors called the tappan zee.
Course hero literature instructor russell jaffe explains the plot summary of washington irvings short story the legend of sleepy hollow. The legend of sleepy hollow plot summary schoolbytes. Washington irving published the legend of sleepy hollow in his 1819 story collection the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent. Since the legend of sleepy hollow is included in this collection, irving uses. The story is set in the american countryside around 1790, in the dutch settlement tarry town, and the. By calling the story a legend, irving places it in history with other great legends, like atlantis, the fountain of youth, or the legends of the fall. Seems like it doesnt have much to say, but irving sure knows how to pack a punch. Dec 31, 20 visit for thousands more videos like this one. Every year when the green leaves turn bright orange and pumpkins appear on our doorsteps, washington irvings classic ghost story, the legend of sleepy hollow, is retold. The legend of sleepy hollow story by irving britannica. This story takes place in a little village on the hudson river which by some is called greensburgh, but which is. The legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving summary.
I have no idea how anyone can call this a short story. It is about something strange that happened long ago in a valley called sleepy hollow. The legend of sleepy hollow washington irving halloween. This short story begins with a statement qualifying the source of the tale. Is it the plot, or the conclusion we reach at the end. Legend of sleepy hollow is one of the few early american short stories that is. The legend of sleepy hollow summary and analysis free.
The legend of sleepy hollow is told in the past tense, although the framing devices at the beginning and end of the story, not including the postscript, are in the present tense. This story takes place in a small town in new york state. The legend of sleepy hollow tells the story of ichabod crane and his hapless attempt to win the heart and hand of katrina van tassel in the context of a comical ghost story. It was originally included in his 1820 anthology the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent. The legend of sleepy hollow summary the legend of sleepy hollow is the tale of ichabod crane, who accepts the position of schoolteacher in the haunted hudson valley town of sleepy hollow. The story is distantly removed from the readercrayon has found the story in diedrich knickerbockers papers, who is dead, and who at the end of the story writes that he. The storyteller opens the story with the dominant spiritthat haunts this enchanted region, and seems to be commanderinchief of all the powers of the air, is the apparition. The story opens with a note that it has been found among the papers of the late diedrich knickerbocker, the story s narrator. Ichabod crane is the schoolteacher in sleepy hollow, a town where not much ever happens. The legend of sleepy hollow is a gothic story by american author washington irving, contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories entitled the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent written while irving was living abroad in birmingham, england, the legend of. Irving uses this framing devicein which he is just presenting a narrative. In a small town named sleepy hollow, a gangly schoolteacher named icabod crane comes to town. The legend of sleepy hollow was inspired by a plague and. The legend of sleepy hollow is a gothic story by american author washington irving, contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories entitled the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent written while irving was living abroad in birmingham, england, the legend of sleepy hollow was first published in 1820.
It is such an effective story about the ghost in which irving makes the audience to guess the truth beyond the matter after its end. The story was originally included in a collection of his essays and short stories called the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent. Literary analysis the legend of sleepy hollow free essays. Todays story is called the legend of sleepy hollow. Throughout this story, the author conveys his argument and messages in the form of many literary elements that supports his argument with the development of. What is the tone of irvings short story the legend of. This is pretty much all we need to know before the story gets going. Within the legend of sleepy hollow, there are many instances where the plot of the short story is completely different than its film. Learn how washington irvings famous story, the legend of sleepy hollow. Historical context in the legend of sleepy hollow owl eyes. The legend of sleepy hollow in the bosom of one of those spacious coves which indent the eastern shore of the hudson, at that broad expansion of the river denominated by the ancient dutch navigators the tappan zee, and where they always prudently shortened sail and implored the protection of saint nicholas, there lies a small market town which. Irving plays with the traditional elements of horror stories to create one of the most enduring. Washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow is his spooky and comedic exploration of the power of local legend. Wikimedia commons cover page to mayne reids version of the headless horseman legend, published in 1865.
Focusing on the legends of a headless horseman in an early american village in new york, as. A subtle rivalry erupts, only to have crane continually gaining the upper hand. A suggestible man, crane believes the ghost stories and tales of witchcraft he has heard and read. The classic american ghost story follows the tale of ichabod crane. It is probably the most famous story from the collection, and it is considered one of irvings most important stories. There is a cartoon movie that is based on this story that they always play around halloween. Analysis the legend of sleepy hollow opens with a great deal of description. The authentic historians of the town claim that the ghost rides out each night in. Not that the legend of sleepy hollow is appropriate source material for a featurelength film in and of itself. The legend of sleepy hollow essay 1057 words 5 pages. As with any fiction, this must first establish setting, but in the legend of sleepy hollow, by washington irving, the author first qualifies his source, lending credibility to his story. The legend of sleepy hollow is an 1820 short story by american author washington irving.
Feb 06, 2020 course hero literature instructor russell jaffe provides an indepth analysis of the plot, characters, symbols, and themes of washington irvings short story the legend of sleepy hollow. These exercises are based on the interactive legend of sleepy hollow, one of our appbooks of immersive reading. Of course, we have the ghost stories, but the most prominent comes to life just at the climax of the story. Ichabod comes to sleepy hollow, new york, from his home state of connecticut, to be the schoolmaster of the village. The actual legend of sleepy hollow isnt the ghost story of the. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in the legend of sleepy hollow, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. The legend of sleepy hollow sleepyhollow wiki fandom. Oct 28, 2019 what inspired the legend of sleepy hollow. Wild chases are traditional in folk tales, and the legend of sleepy hollow is no different. At the time, in the decades following the revolutionary war, the united states was in the process of constructing a national identity. In iclassics we have invented a new way of reading, enjoyable and surprising. The legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving book summary. The legend of sleepy hollow is a short story written by washington irving. Jan 25, 2020 resolution after the incident, noone was sure what happened to the schoolteacher until a farmer came to sleepy hollow and said that ichabod moved to avoid the headless horseman and hans van ripper.
It is such an effective story about the ghost in which irving makes the audience to. The legend of sleepy hollow, written by washington irving and published in 1820, is a suspenseful short story that borders on horror. Written while irving was living abroad in birmingham, england, the legend of sleepy hollow was first published in 1820. A deep analysis of washington irvings the legend of sleepy. The legend of sleepy hollow tells the story of ichabod crane and his.
The story is about ichabod cranes quest to marry katrina van tassel despite competition from a fellow suitor, brom bones. In the short story, when the author is providing the reader with background information on how the headless horseman came to be, he establishes that the rumor of what happened to him is that he had his head. Any screenwriter should be allowed license to expand the story as needed, as what. This study guide consists of approximately 66 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the legend of sleepy hollow. Sleepy hollow washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow begins as a lot of stories do from the 1800s. Legend of sleepy hollow is a kind of a short story which was written by washington irving. This story takes place in a little village on the hudson river which by some is called greensburgh, but which is more generally known as tarry town. Oct 20, 2019 its later publication included the short story the legend of sleepy hollow. He got to dance with her at a party, but on his way home, ichabod encounters. Many themes and characters of the story were reimagined for the tvseries sleepy hollow, which is set in the 21st century.
Washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow is one of the few early american short stories that is still widely read today most people are probably familiar with. The legend of sleepy hollow study guide course hero. The legend of sleepy hollow, short story by washington irving, first published in the sketch book in 181920. Knickerbocker describes the setting, the quiet, bucolic tarry town in upstate new york that time seems to have passed by. The original texts are accompanied by illustrations, music and animations to immerse yourself in the story. The surprising reallife origins of the legend of sleepy hollow.
While the story prompts scares and laughs, it also warrants discussion and literary analysis. Of the numerous tales that circulate through the sleepy hollow, those told by men concern their own fictionalized exploits plummer and nelson 179. About the title a legend is a story that is believed to be true by many but cannot be proven to be true. Essay, 2 pages the lead character of the story, ichabod crane is faced with the scary legend of the headless horseman upon meeting with brom bones, his rival with katrina van tassel. Analysis of the book legend of sleepy hollow 1800 words. Moral of washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow. The legend of sleepy hollow study guide contains literature essays, a biography of washington irving, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. First published in a book of short stories and essays entitled the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent, it is one of the first enduring works of american fiction. This tale was originally published in 1820 as part of irvings larger work the sketchbook of geoffrey crayon, which contains other notables short stories such as rip van winkle. The legend of sleepy hollow is a short story of speculative fiction by american author washington irving, contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories entitled the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent.
Washington irvings famous tale, the legend of sleepy hollow, and its iconic headless horseman were borne of a mix of true history and unnerving folklore. Washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow is an unusual horror story, because it does not have a clear antagonist, although the hero ichabod crane is pursued by the legendary headless horseman of the titular legend. The legend of sleepy hollow literary works literature. Sleepy hollows inhabitants love telling ghost stories about their region. Legend of sleepy hollow short story 10 words bartleby. A short story manifests all the elements of a novel. The legend of sleepy hollow paragraphs 120 summary and. The legend of sleepy hollow analysis the legend of sleepy hollow begins with a lavish description of the hudson valley and sleepy hollow, a charming hamlet populated by dutch farmers.
The legend of sleepy hollow washington irving summary ichabod crane the schoolteacher loves scary things and a girl named katrina, but another man nicknamed brom bones is making it harder for ichabod to get katrina interested in him. The legend of sleepy hollow is a gothic story by american author washington irving, contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories entitled the. The legend of sleepy hollow the short story i have chosen to read by washington irving is the legend of sleepy hollow. This story is based on a real legend and it reveals how the main character, ichabod crane, disappeared.
Megan ma october 15, 2014 analysis essay 4th hour the legend of sleepy hollow theme analysis essay ichabods incredible imagination can be seen and found throughout the text of sleepy hollow. One of the most pervasive tales is that of the headless horseman, who rides by on. The protagonist of the story, ichabod crane, is a yankee schoolteacher who lives in sleepy hollow, a dutch enclave on the hudson river. Washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow plot summary. The legend of sleepy hollow 1949 plot summary imdb.
The legend of sleepy hollow is a short story that was published in 1820 by american author washington irving. The legend of sleepy hollow short story analysis and. But tales of headless horseman have been around since the middle ages. Written while irving was living abroad in birmingham, england, the legend of.
745 1139 1444 637 56 1481 204 1384 776 929 833 1148 84 1267 685 507 622 1043 300 381 838 137 87 450 750 1475 1194 1467 1053 164 852 453 453 XML HTML