Summary of the work - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Short summary - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a classic work of American literature that tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a schoolmaster from Connecticut who comes to teach in Sleepy Hollow, a small village in New York. The story is set in the early 19th century and provides a vivid portrayal of rural life in America during that time.

The author, Washington Irving, begins the story by describing the village of Sleepy Hollow in great detail. He paints a picture of a small, isolated community that is steeped in tradition and legend. The people who live in Sleepy Hollow are depicted as being superstitious and prone to believing in ghosts and other supernatural phenomena.

Ichabod Crane, the protagonist of the story, is a tall and lanky man who is described as being somewhat awkward and effeminate. He is a schoolmaster, and his job is to teach the children of Sleepy Hollow. However, Ichabod has other ambitions, and he sees his position as a means to an end. His ultimate goal is to marry Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of a wealthy farmer in the area.

Katrina is beautiful, and Ichabod is immediately smitten with her. However, he has competition in the form of Brom Bones, a local man who is known for his physical strength and his love of practical jokes. Brom is also interested in Katrina, and he sees Ichabod as a threat.

One night, Ichabod attends a party at Katrina's house. During the party, Brom tells a series of ghost stories, one of which involves the headless horseman, a legendary figure who is said to haunt the woods around Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod is terrified by the story, and he leaves the party late at night, riding his horse back to his lodgings.

As he rides through the woods, Ichabod encounters the headless horseman. The horseman chases Ichabod through the forest, and Ichabod disappears. The next day, his horse returns to his lodgings without him, and Ichabod is never seen again.

The villagers of Sleepy Hollow believe that Ichabod was taken by the headless horseman, but some believe that he simply ran away, afraid of Brom Bones. The story ends with the narrator's reflection on the legend of Sleepy Hollow and the unexplained disappearance of Ichabod Crane. The author leaves it up to the readers to decide what happened to the schoolmaster.

Overall, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a classic work of American literature that explores themes of love, competition, superstition, and legend. It is a story of a man's desire for wealth and love, and the consequences of his actions. The setting and characters are masterfully crafted, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged until the end. It is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature, and it has stood the test of time as a classic work that continues to captivate readers to this day.