
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow ' Summary
From the listless repose of the place, and the peculiar character of its inhabitants, who are descendants from the original Dutch settlers, this sequestered glen has long been known by name of Sleepy Hollow ... A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere.
— Washington Irving, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
The story is set in 1790 in the countryside around the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town (historical Tarrytown, New York), in a secluded glen known as Sleepy Hollow. Sleepy Hollow is renowned for its ghosts and the haunting atmosphere that pervades the imaginations of its inhabitants and visitors. Some residents say this town was bewitched during the early days of the Dutch settlement, while others claim that the mysterious atmosphere was caused by an old Native American chief, the "wizard of his tribe ... before the country was discovered by Master Hendrik Hudson." The most infamous spectre in the Hollow is the Headless Horseman, supposedly the ghost of a Hessian trooper whose head had been shot off by a stray cannonball during "some nameless battle" of the Revolution, and who "rides forth to the scene of battle in nightly quest of his head".
The "Legend" relates the tale of Ichabod Crane, a lean, lanky and extremely superstitious schoolmaster from Connecticut, who competes with Abraham "Brom Bones" Van Brunt, the town rowdy, for the hand of 18-year-old Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter and sole child of wealthy farmer Baltus Van Tassel. Ichabod Crane, a Yankee and an outsider, sees marriage to Katrina as a means of procuring Van Tassel's extravagant wealth. Bones, the local hero, unable to force Ichabod into a physical showdown to settle things, plays a series of pranks on the superstitious schoolmaster. The tension among the three continues for some time, and is soon brought to a head. On a placid autumn night, the ambitious Crane attends a harvest party at the Van Tassels' homestead. He dances, partakes in the feast, and listens to ghostly legends told by Brom and the locals, but his true aim is to propose to Katrina after the guests leave. His intentions, however, are ill-fated.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
Author

Washington Irving
United States
Irving is largely credited as the first American Man of Letters and the first to earn his living solely by his pen. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow acknowledged Irving's role in promoting American literatu...
More on Washington IrvingDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books

Our Lady of the Pillar by José Maria de Eça de Queirós
In "Our Lady of the Pillar" by José Maria de Eça de Queirós, an enchanting tale of love, ambition, and societal intricacies unfolds against the backdr...

The Goddess: A Demon by Richard Marsh
The Goddess: A Demon is a novel by Richard Marsh. It was originally serialized in Manchester Weekly Times and Salford Weekly News in twelve installmen...

A Slav Soul and Other Stories by Aleksandr Kuprin
In "A Slav Soul and Other Stories," Aleksandr Kuprin masterfully crafts a collection of narratives that offer an intimate glimpse into the complexitie...

Three Midnight Stories by Alexander Wilson Drake
Embark on a Journey of Mysterious Tales in "Three Midnight Stories" by Alexander W. Drake Are you ready to step into a world where darkness and enigma...

The Yellow Face by Fred M. White
A murdered body, horribly disfigured and bearing a striking resemblance to the man on the poster, vanishes from a police-station.

The Twin Mystery by Nicholas Carter
In this story, Nick receives a letter foretelling of a murder. His wife, Edith, believes it was from a woman.

Little Minnie, and Other Stories by Pansy (Isabella Macdonald Alden)
In the enchanting world of "Little Minnie, and Other Stories" by Pansy, embark on a captivating journey through the realm of faith, morality, and pers...

David Poindexter's Disappearance and Other Tales by Julian Hawthorne
Hook: "Unravel the enigmatic and delve into the depths of human nature in this mesmerizing collection of tales that blend mystery, the supernatural, a...

The Last Drive by Rex Stout
The story revolves around the murder of a wealthy businessman and the investigation conducted by Nero Wolfe, a brilliant detective, and his assistant,...

Cut by the County; or, Grace Darnel by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Darnel Park is situated in a county that thrives on gossip and secrets, and the Darnel family, as it turns out, has many of them. An attempt at Sir Al...
Reviews for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
No reviews posted or approved, yet...