The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

“I recollect that, when a stripling, my first exploit in squirrel-shooting was in a grove of tall walnut-trees that shades one side of the valley. […] If ever I should wish for a retreat whither I might steal from the world and its distractions, and dream quietly away the remnant of a troubled life, I know of none more promising than this little valley.”

One of the tropes that lends the story credibility is that the narrator himself spent time in Sleepy Hollow and can vouch for its peaceful effect. Washington Irving was born in New York City, but he lived in Tarrytown from 1798-1804, before moving to Europe. In Tarrytown, Irving became familiar with the Dutch customs and ghost stories of Sleepy Hollow, which inspired the story. 

“In this by-place of nature there abode, in a remote period of American history, that is to say, some thirty years since, a worthy wight of the name of Ichabod Crane, who sojourned, or, as he expressed it, ‘tarried,’ in Sleepy Hollow, for the purpose of instructing the children of the vicinity.”

This passage is unique because, in introducing Ichabod Crane, the narrator purports to know what Ichabod said, even though Ichabod’s story takes place 30 years before the present day. The use of a direct quotation is also notable because the story contains almost no dialogue.

“From hence the low murmur of his pupils’ voices, conning over their lessons, might be heard in a drowsy summer’s day, like the hum of a beehive; interrupted now and then by the authoritative voice of the master, in the tone of menace or command, or, peradventure, by the appalling sound of the birch, as he urged some tardy loiterer along the flowery path of knowledge.”

This passage describes Ichabod’s persona as a schoolteacher, which is more aggressive than the relaxed, carefree attitude that he exhibits in his everyday life. The only other instance of Ichabod expressing anger is after Katrina rejects him, and he translates his anger into kicking his horse. These passages imply that Ichabod is only violent to those who are weaker than he is (66).

“He would delight them equally by his anecdotes of witchcraft, and of the direful omens and portentous sights and sounds in the air, which prevailed in the earlier times of Connecticut; and would frighten them woefully with speculations upon comets and shooting stars; and with the alarming fact that the world did absolutely turn round, and that they were half the time topsy-turvy!

The narrative makes many references to Ichabod’s enjoyment of exchanging tales of ghosts and witchcraft with the locals, but at the end of this passage, Irving subtly inserts a scientific fact—the earth rotates on an axis—that frightens the locals as much as Ichabod’s stories of the supernatural. This humorous passage implies that both Ichabod and the locals treat science as another form of superstition.

“Nay, [Ichabod’s] busy fancy already realized his hopes, and presented to him the blooming Katrina, with a whole family of children, mounted on the top of a wagon loaded with household trumpery, with pots and kettles dangling beneath; and he beheld himself bestriding a pacing mare, with a colt at her heels, setting out for Kentucky, Tennessee,—or the Lord knows where!”

When Ichabod falls in love with Katrina, he begins to imagine how prosperous his life will become after they are married. His emphasis on Katrina’s wealth rather than on Katrina as a person signifies that, while he is infatuated with her, his feelings for her are shallow.

“The gallant Ichabod now spent at least an extra half hour at his toilet, brushing and furbishing up his best, and indeed only suit of rusty black, and arranging his locks by a bit of broken looking-glass that hung up in the schoolhouse. […] [H]e borrowed a horse from the farmer with whom he was domiciliated, a choleric old Dutchman of the name of Hans Van Ripper, and, thus gallantly mounted, issued forth like a knight-errant in quest of adventures.”

Irving’s satirical description of Ichabod preparing for Van Tassel’s party shows both Ichabod’s vanity and his ridiculousness. Throughout the story, Ichabod has a high opinion of himself and never considers that others might find him silly or odd. The reference to a “knight-errant” on a broken-down horse “in quest of adventures” is a reference to Don Quixote, a popular literary character from Miguel Cervantes’ 17th-century novel of the same name, who is an idealistic but foolish hero.

“It was […] a fine autumnal day; the sky was clear and serene, and nature wore that rich and golden livery which we always associate with the idea of abundance.”

This passage begins Ichabod’s journey to Van Tassel’s farmhouse for the party. Setting the stage with beautiful fall weather sets the reader up to believe that the party will be a positive experience for Ichabod. The modifiers “rich” and “golden” are cues that Irving uses to emphasize Ichabod’s desire for wealth.

“Local tales and superstitions thrive best in these sheltered, long-settled retreats; but are trampled under foot by the shifting throng that forms the population of most of our country places.”

This passage is a commentary on the rapidly changing culture of the colonies. Irving notes that, even in the countryside, immigration and migration are affecting the way that communities preserve their local traditions. Because Irving’s tone is satirical throughout the story, it is not clear whether he sees these changes as positive or negative.

“The tale was told of old Brouwer, a most heretical disbeliever in ghosts, how he met the Horseman returning from his foray into Sleepy Hollow, and was obliged to get up behind him; how they galloped over bush and brake, over hill and swamp, until they reached the bridge; when the Horseman suddenly turned into a skeleton, threw old Brouwer into the brook, and sprang away over the tree-tops with a clap of thunder.” 

The details of this story are significant because they foreshadow events to come when the Horseman chases Ichabod Crane through the forest. They also show that everyone’s story about the Headless Horseman is different, implying that these accounts may not be true.

“What passed at this interview I will not pretend to say, for in fact I do not know.”

In this passage, the narrator purports not to know what happened between Ichabod Crane and Katrina during their discussion after the party. The narrator is omniscient throughout the rest of the story, so this passage stands out. Irving’s choice to omit this crucial information leaves the reader to decide what might have transpired.

“There was something in the moody and dogged silence of this pertinacious companion that was mysterious and appalling. It was soon fearfully accounted for. On mounting a rising ground, which brought the figure of his fellow-traveller in relief against the sky, gigantic in height, and muffled in a cloak, Ichabod was horror-struck on perceiving that he was headless!—but his horror was still more increased on observing that the head, which should have rested on his shoulders, was carried before him on the pommel of his saddle!”

In horror stories, one of the most crucial narrative moments is when the monster is revealed. Though the Horseman has been chasing Ichabod, this is the first time Ichabod turns and sees his pursuer and realizes that he has encountered the legendary ghost.

“Another convulsive kick in the ribs, and old Gunpowder sprang upon the bridge; he thundered over the resounding planks; he gained the opposite side; and now Ichabod cast a look behind to see if his pursuer should vanish, according to rule, in a flash of fire and brimstone.”

Ichabod believed that he would be safe after crossing the bridge because Brom Bones claimed that to be true. If the Horseman is Brom in disguise, then Brom would have known that Ichabod would ride toward the bridge, making him an easy target.

“As to the books and furniture of the schoolhouse, they belonged to the community, excepting Cotton Mather’s ‘History of Witchcraft,’ a ‘New England Almanac,’ and a book of dreams and fortune-telling […].”

While readers already know of Ichabod’s attachment to Mather’s book, the other two titles add insight to Ichabod’s personality. The New England Almanac implies that Ichabod keeps track of New England events and has an interest in astronomy. The book of dreams and fortune-telling suggests that Ichabod believes in fate more than free will.