The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow Research Paper

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow The short story I have chosen to read by Washington Irving is “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” 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. The main character in the story, Ichabod Crane, who “tarried” in Sleepy Hollow came about for the purpose of instructing the children of the vicinity. The main point of the story began with the arrival of a Negro with an invitation to Ichabod to attend a party at the Van Tassel’s mansion. After receiving the good news, Ichabod fixed up his best and only suit and borrowed a horse from Hans Van Ripper, in order to impress Mynheer Van Tassel’s
During the dance, Brom Bones, who is a rival of Ichabod, sat brooding in the corner full of jealousy and sorely smitten with love. When the dance came to an end, Ichabod was attracted to some sager folks, who, along with old Van Tassel, were gossiping over former times about the war. All of these tales could not compare to the tales of ghosts and apparitions that had succeeded the conversation. The neighborhood of Sleepy Hollow is rich in legendary treasures of the kind. Several of the Sleepy Hollow residents were present at the Van Tassel’s, sharing their wild and wonderful legends. One tale told was about old Brouwer, and how he met up with the Headless Horseman returning from his trip into Sleepy Hollow. He was galloped over bush and brake, over hill and swamp, until they reached the bridge, where the Horseman turned suddenly into a skeleton, throwing old Brouwer into the brook. This tale was followed by one of Brom Bone’s. He said that on returning one night from a nearby village, he had been overtaken by this “midnight” trooper. This trooper had offered to race him for a bowl of punch, and as they came to the church bridge, the trooper vanished. All of
Washington Irving uses many examples of Gothocism in the story. Some examples are “From the listless repose of the place, and the peculiar character of its in habitants, who are descendants from the original Dutch settlers, this sequestered glen has long been known by the name of Sleepy Hollow, and its rustic lads are called the Sleepy Hollow Boys throughout all the neighboring countries. A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere.” Another example of Gothocism that Irving uses is when he talks about the Headless Horseman. He say’s “It is said by some to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper, whose head had been carried away by a cannon ball, in some nameless battle during the Revolutionary War, and who is ever an anon seen by the country folk hurrying along in the gloom of night, as if on the wings of the wind. The ghost rides forth to the seen of the battle in a nightly quest of his head; and that rushing speed with which he passed along the Hollow, like a midnight blast.” These are only two of the many uses of Gothocism in “The Legend of Sleepy