The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Who is your character?
Type in the name of the character you are going to analyze.
Literary period : Romanticism. The Early Romantic Period
Literary movement: Gothic Horror Literature
biography of the author
Washington Irving
What were the events that affected the character's evolution the most?
Example:
- marriage
- birth of their first child
- death of a family member
- beginning of the war
- separation
Washington Irving (April 3, 1783- November 28, 1859) was an American short- story writer, essayist, biographer, historian and diplomat of the early 19th century. Born and raised in Manhattan to a merchant family, Irving made his literary debut in 1802. He temporarily moved to England for the family business in 1815. He is best known for his short stories "Rip Van Winkle"(1819) and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"(1820). His historical works include biographies of many famous people. Irving died of a heart attack in his bedroom at Sunnyside.
Type in a short explanation to emphasize the importance of each particular moment you listed.
Example:
'Collin left childhood and became a real man at age 11. That is when his father left to war leaving him in charge of his mother and 4 little sisters.'
My opinion
I fell in love with this book, because I am really interested in horrors and dark plots. The whole atmosphere is frightening, but enticing, because the reader wants to know what the Headless Horseman is: a monster or a person pretending to be a monster.
What do you feel about the character?
Type in the answers.
Main characters
Indirect characterization
The writer can also reveal his character's personality by presenting the character's thoughts, words, actions, and also the way other characters relate to them.
Katrina Van Tassel- the only daughter of Baltus Van Tassel
Brom Bones- a strong young man
Ichabod Crane- former professor of history
Plot summary
Direct characterization refers to the process by which the writer tells the audience about the personality and looks of its character.
The story is set in 1790 in the countryside around the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town in a secluded glen known as Sleepy Hollow. It is renowned for its ghosts and the haunting atmosphere. Residents are seemingly subjected to various supernatural and mysterious occurrences. The most famous specter in the Hollow is the Headless Horseman. The story shows us the tale of Ichabod Crane, a lean, lanky and extremely superstitious schoolmaster from Connecticut. Throughout the story Ichabod Crane competes with Abraham " Brom Bones" Van Brunt, the town rowdy and local hero, for the hand of 18-years-old Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter and sole child of wealthy farmer Baltus Van Tassel. One night Crane attends a harvest party at the Van Tassels' homestead. His main aim is to propose to Katrina after the guests leave. But having failed to get her hand, he rides home on his horse and suddenly he encounters a cloaked rider without a head. He tries to cross the bridge, but the monster hurls his severed head at him. The missile strikes his head and sends him tumbling. The next morning, Ichabod disappears, leaving Katrina to later marry Brom Bones. And although the riddle of the Headless man is not revealed, it is implied that he was Brom in disguise.
What does the writer tell you about the character's personality and looks?
Add several quotes that support the direct characterization of your character. Look for descriptive adjectives, phrases or epithets.
Example: The little girl was wearing a burgundy silk dress, with black stockings. Her hair was like fire but tamed in a pony tale. Although young, she had such mature presence.'
How does this work reflect the characteristics of the literary period in which the story was created
In this story the atmosphere of horror is created through plot, characters, and chilling settings. The plot focuses on mysterious events (for example, the appearance of the Headless Horseman). The characters are frightened by the monster. Settings are dark with strange sounds.
What is the name and genre of the literary work in which the character appears?
Examples:
- Novel: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Poem: The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
- Drama: Macbeth by William Shakespeare
