12 Questions
Who is the main character of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'?
Ichabod Crane
What is Sleepy Hollow known for?
Spooky stories and the legend of the Headless Horseman
Who is Katrina Van Tassel?
A beautiful young woman who will inherit a lot of money
Who else is interested in Katrina Van Tassel besides Ichabod Crane?
Brom Bones
What happens to Ichabod Crane on his way home after the party at Katrina's house?
He is chased by a headless figure on horseback, the Headless Horseman
How does Ichabod Crane disappear?
The Headless Horseman throws his head at Ichabod, causing him to fall off his horse and vanish
What two possible explanations are given for the disappearance of Ichabod Crane at the end of the story?
The townspeople only find his hat and a smashed pumpkin, leaving them to wonder if the Headless Horseman got him or if Brom played a final, elaborate prank.
What was unique about Washington Irving's writing style compared to other authors of his time?
Erving's style is authentic (he didn't imitate others).
Which famous American author was a great fan of Washington Irving?
Nathaniel Hawthorne (famous for a novel called The Scarlett Letter) was a great fan of Irving.
What unique marketing tactic did Washington Irving use to promote his literary work?
He placed many missing person ads seeking a person called Diedrich Knickerbocker (an imaginary person).
What genre does the text state that Washington Irving's writing style reflects?
Genre: gothic romanticism (reflects one's mood).
What are the key characteristics of the setting and tone in Washington Irving's writing?
Setting: dark, gloomy. Tone: playful, cynical, humorous.
Study Notes
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
- The story revolves around Ichabod Crane, a new schoolteacher in Sleepy Hollow, and his attempt to win the heart of Katrina Van Tassel.
- Sleepy Hollow is a small town known for its spooky stories, particularly the legend of the Headless Horseman, a ghost searching for its head.
- Ichabod Crane is not a typical hero, but rather an anti-hero with qualities such as being not rich.
Washington Irving
- He was a pioneer in marketing, achieving success in Europe as an American writer, which was revolutionary.
- His writing style is authentic, not copied, and descriptive, helping the reader to visualize what he is writing about.
- He was a great fan of Nathaniel Hawthorne, famous for his novel "The Scarlet Letter".
- He was the first ever bestseller writer.
- He used a pseudonym, Diedrich Knickerbocker, a fictional narrator, and placed many missing person ads seeking this imaginary person.
Literary Style
- Genre: Gothic Romanticism, which reflects one's mood and features supernatural elements.
- Setting: Dark and gloomy, contributing to the overall tone of the story.
- Tone: Playful, cynical, and humorous, with a focus on the people of Sleepy Hollow rather than the love story.
Historical Context
- Romanticism came to an end, and Realism emerged as a reaction to it.
- Washington Irving's writing style was a key aspect of the Romanticism era.
Test your knowledge on the classic American ghost story 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' by Washington Irving. Explore the tale of Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel, and the infamous Headless Horseman in the eerie setting of Sleepy Hollow.
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