The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow Short Story Pdf
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a classic short story written by Washington Irving in 1820. This story is about a schoolmaster named Ichabod Crane who travels to Sleepy Hollow, a small town in New York, and falls in love with Katrina Van Tassel. The town, however, is haunted by the Headless Horseman. The story is a mix of horror, romance, and comedy that has captivated readers for centuries.
The Plot of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
The story is set in the late 18th century in the small town of Sleepy Hollow. The protagonist, Ichabod Crane, is a schoolmaster who has fallen in love with Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of a wealthy farmer. However, Ichabod's rival for Katrina's affections is the muscular and charismatic Brom Bones.
Ichabod is a superstitious man who becomes convinced that the town is haunted by the Headless Horseman, a ghostly figure who rides through the countryside at night. Ichabod's fear of the Headless Horseman is so great that he cannot sleep at night, and he begins to see the ghostly figure everywhere.
One night, after attending a party at the Van Tassel household, Ichabod is confronted by the Headless Horseman. In a terrifying chase, the ghostly figure pursues Ichabod through the countryside until Ichabod's horse gallops across a bridge. The Headless Horseman throws his own severed head at Ichabod, knocking him off his horse and into the river.
In the morning, Ichabod's hat and a shattered pumpkin are found near the bridge, but Ichabod is never seen again. The story ends with Brom Bones marrying Katrina Van Tassel and becoming the new hero of Sleepy Hollow.
The Themes of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow explores several themes, including:
- Superstition: The story shows the power of superstition and the fear it can create, as Ichabod becomes increasingly convinced that the Headless Horseman is real.
- Romance: The story is also a tale of unrequited love, as Ichabod pines for Katrina but ultimately loses out to Brom Bones.
- Identity: Ichabod is a character who is unsure of his own identity, and his fear of the Headless Horseman may be a reflection of his own anxiety about his place in the world.
The Legacy of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has become a classic American story that has been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and plays. The story is so popular that the town of Sleepy Hollow has become a tourist destination, with visitors coming to see the bridge where Ichabod was chased by the Headless Horseman.
Washington Irving's tale has also had a significant impact on American literature. It is often seen as one of the first examples of American Gothic fiction, a literary genre that explores the darker side of the American experience.
Conclusion
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a classic American story that has stood the test of time. The tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman is a mix of horror, romance, and comedy that has captivated readers for centuries. The story explores themes of superstition, identity, and unrequited love, and has had a lasting impact on American literature and popular culture. If you haven't read it yet, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow short story pdf is definitely worth checking out.
