The story was originally included in a collection of his essays and short stories called the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent. Beloved by generations of readers, washington irvings legend of sleepy hollow ranks among the classics of american literature. Oct 28, 2019 the legend of sleepy hollow resurfaces every year around halloween. One legacy would not be the same without the other. Other short stories by washington irving also available along with many others by classic and contemporary authors. Full online text of the legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving. The legend of sleepy hollow is a short story by washington irving contained in his collection the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent. Most of us are well acquainted with ichabod crane and the legend of sleepy. First published in a book of short stories and essays entitled the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent, it is one of the first enduring works of american fiction. The legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving free at. Irvings delightful depictions of rugged labor and descriptions of pumpkin pie embody, perhaps, the greatest criticism.
Ichabod comes to sleepy hollow, new york, from his home state of connecticut, to be the schoolmaster of the village. The narrator of the legend of sleepy hollow, who apparently heard the story from a storyteller at a business meeting in new york. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. It is about something strange that happened long ago in a valley called sleepy hollow. Included in this collection was sleepy hollow, and with its success, irving became the first american to be widely read in both the u. Irvings success with the sketch book earned him international fame as one of the newly minted nations first american man of letters. Besides being an iconic story and a fine example of early american literature, this is also a revealing historic illustration of life in the dutch portions of early nineteenth century new york. Washington irving april 3, 1783 november 28, 1859 was an american shortstory writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. The legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving summary. Background the legend of sleepy hollow was written by washington irving as part of his 1819 collection, the sketchbook of geoffrey crayon, gent.
The legend of sleepy hollow in the bosom of one of those spacious coves which indent the eastern shore of the hudson, at that broad expansion of the river denominated by the ancient dutch navigators the tappan zee, and where they always prudently shortened sail and implored the protection of saint nicholas, there lies a small market town which. What is the setting of the legend of sleepy hollow. This tale was originally published in 1820 as part of irvings larger work the sketchbook of geoffrey crayon, which contains other notables short stories such as rip van winkle. He is best known for the short stories the legend of sleepy hollow and rip van winkle, which are both americanized versions of german folktales. The story opens with a note that it has been found among the possessions of the late diedrich knickerbocker, who is the narrator of sleepy hollow. Course hero literature instructor russell jaffe provides an indepth analysis of the plot, characters, symbols. In the late 1990s north tarrytown, the village haunted by the specter of a headless horseman, was renamed sleepy hollow in honor of irvings short story. The story is about ichabod cranes quest to marry katrina van tassel despite competition from a fellow suitor, brom bones. The legend of sleepy hollow is an 1820 short story by american author washington irving.
Oct 22, 2015 todays story is called the legend of sleepy hollow. For nearly 200 years, the story has captured the imagination of both children and adults. Knickerbocker describes the setting, the quiet, bucolic tarry town in upstate new york that time seems to have passed by. Washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow is one of the few early american short stories that is still widely read today most people are probably familiar with. Project gutenberg s the legend of sleepy hollow, by washington irving this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Moral of washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow. Course hero literature instructor russell jaffe explains the plot summary of washington irvings short story the. Here is the complete and unabridged tale of ichabod crane and his illfated visit to sleepy hollow. Washington irving april 3, 1783november 28, 1859 was a writer, essayist, historian, biographer, and diplomat most famous for the short stories rip van winkle and the legend of sleepy hollow. Although it is one of irvings shortest works, it has had a long life since it first was published in 1820. While this tale is often thought of as scary, it actually contains a great deal of humor and thoughtfulness. He is best known for the short stories the legend of sleepy hollow and rip van winkle. Washington irving 17831859 published the legend of sleepy hollow in 1819 as part of a collection of stories titled the sketch book of geoffrey crayon.
He is best known for his short stories rip van winkle 1819 and the legend of sleepy hollow 1820, both of which appear in his collection the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent. Feb 06, 2020 washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow explained in just a few minutes. Todays story is called the legend of sleepy hollow. He wanted to us to feel as if this was a legend that had truly happened in some forgotten little town full of sleepwalking people. Beloved by generations of readers, washington irving s legend of sleepy hollow ranks among the classics of american literature. Project gutenbergs the legend of sleepy hollow, by washington irving this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. The legend of sleepy hollow disneyland episode disney. Washington irving profoundly impacted american culture. Washington irving, father of the american short story. Half of the charm of the tale is irvings beautiful prose, as he describes the glorious new england countryside.
The legend of sleepy hollow washington irving by washington. 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. Oct 20, 2019 washington irvings famous tale, the legend of sleepy hollow, and its iconic headless horseman were borne of a mix of true history and unnerving folklore. He falls in love with a beautiful young woman,katrina. I spent a year near the location of the story at west point.
Source the legend of sleepy hollow is an episode of disneyland. A suggestible man, crane believes the ghost stories and tales of witchcraft he has heard and read. The legend of sleepy hollow is set circa 1790 in the dutch settlement of tarry town, new york, in a secluded glen called sleepy hollow. Washington irvings short story, the legend of sleepy hollow, was adapted into a movie titled sleepy hollow directed by tim burton nearly two centuries after the original publication. His stories about old new york, are so colorful, its like going back in time. The legend of sleepy hollow irving, washington livres. It all takes place in 18th century new york, where we see ichabod the lanky, poor, school teacher attempt to court the rich and lovely katrina van tassel. Washington irving first published the legend of sleepy hollow in 1820. The legend of sleepy hollow was inspired by a plague and. Oct 31, 2011 as it turns out, looking a bit into the history of sleepy hollow, there are just as many questions about the origins of the story itself. The legend of sleepy hollow resurfaces every year around halloween. The legend of sleepy hollow, short story by washington irving, first published in the sketch book in 181920. Fifthgraders at washington irving celebrated their three years of elementary school during a special ceremony on june 26, as their families and friends cheered and wished them the best of luck at sleepy hollow middle school. Although it is one of irving s shortest works, it has had a long life since it first was published in 1820.
Washington irving and rip van winkle great northern. The legend of sleepy hollow is an episode of disneyland. As it turns out, looking a bit into the history of sleepy hollow, there are just as many questions about the origins of the story itself. As a town, the legacy of sleepy hollow and that of washington irving are closely shared, according to henry steiner, official historian for the village of sleepy hollow. Although irving published his story in 1820, it takes.
Washington irving 17831859 set in the small secluded valley of sleepy hollow, irvings short speculative story follows the rivalry between ichabod crane and brom van brunt for katrina van tassels hand in marriage. The legend of sleepy hollow story by irving britannica. From 1836 to 1842 irving lived at sunnyside manor house, tarrytown, new york, where he died. The legend of sleepy hollow is a gothic story by american author washington irving, contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories entitled the.
Jan 30, 2020 washington irving april 3, 1783november 28, 1859 was a writer, essayist, historian, biographer, and diplomat most famous for the short stories rip van winkle and the legend of sleepy hollow. A short story writer, essayist, poet, travel book writer, biographer, attorney, and columnist, he was born in new york city as the youngest of 11 children. Although it is known for its contribution to the creation of american culture and literature, he wrote the story while living in birmingham, england, during a tour of europe. The legend of sleepy hollow washington irving macmillan. Irving gives his readers a sense of the land and farm life in the great state of new york for the descendants of the first dutch settlers. I love the story of the dorkish ichabod crane trying to woo and win the lucious katrina van tassle, much to the chagrin of her suitor, bram bones. Aug 16, 2018 the legend of sleepy hollow was written by washington irving as part of his 1819 collection, the sketchbook of geoffrey crayon, gent. A prolific author, irving wrote the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent. Washingtons irvings the legend of sleepy hollow history.
The legend of sleepy hollow full text and analysis owl eyes. The legend of sleepy hollow and other stories babelio. The legend of sleepy hollow book by washington irving. The legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving free ebook. Washington irvings famous tale, the legend of sleepy hollow, and its iconic headless horseman were borne of a mix of true history and unnerving folklore. Tortolla 21st of september 2015 b block sleepy hollow in the legend sleepy hollow by washington irving, the reader follows the story of a man named ichabod crane. The other consideration of the setting of washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow is the time period in which the story took place. Sleepy hollow capitalizing on washington irving legend. Washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow explained in just a few minutes. The legend of sleepy hollow is a great story for halloween, and washington irving is a great american author.
The episode is a televised version of the legend of sleepy hollow from the adventures of ichabod and mr. Washington irving s the legend of sleepy hollow is one of the few early american short stories that is still widely read today most people are probably familiar with. The legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving crisis. Throughout the village where washington irving set the legend of sleepy hollow 200 years ago, the halloween spirit has thrived ever since, particularly in the 12 years since residents voted. Now i wonder if there was such a place as sleepy hollow. The legend of sleepy hollow book washington irving. The protagonist of the story, ichabod crane, is a yankee schoolteacher who lives in sleepy hollow, a dutch enclave on the hudson river. The story of the headless horseman isnt totally original. Every year when the green leaves turn bright orange and pumpkins appear on our doorsteps, washington irvings classic ghost story, the legend of sleepy hollow, is retold. The legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving is one of the oldest american stories still regularly taught in schools. Washington irving often used the persona of knickerbocker in these stories, as an elderly, eccentric chronicler of dutch history who insists upon the accuracy of his tales. The true history behind the legend of sleepy hollow.
The legend of sleepy hollow, written by washington irving and published in 1820, is a suspenseful short story that borders on horror. The legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving plot. But of course there are chills galore when the headless horseman appears. In the 1990s the village of north tarrytown was renamed sleepy hollow. The legend of sleepy hollow recalls a rural sanctuary and the stolid, sensible tranquility that breathes from a cultivated countryside. The legend of sleepy hollow and other stories by washington.
September 20 to 25, 1920 his play, rip van winkle, was performed in a pasadena community playhouse production at the savoy theatre in pasadena, california. He is best remembered, however, for his two most famous stories, the legend of sleepy hollow and rip van winkle. This collection famously contains the legend of sleepy hollow and rip van winkle, two stories that romanticize colonial life on the hudson. Such is the general purport of this legendary superstition, which has furnished materials for many a wild story in that region of shadows. Since the legend of sleepy hollow is included in this collection, irving uses. Washington irving, born april 3, 1783, new york, new york, u. Sleepy hollow has been influenced by irving, and irving by sleepy hollow. Romanticism in the legend of sleepy hollow 962 words. Romanticism in the legend of sleepy hollow 962 words bartleby.
This classic american short story tells us about a schoolteacher named ichabod crane. Washington irvings 1820 tale of a headless horseman who terrorizes the reallife village of sleepy hollow is considered one of americas first ghost storiesand one of its scariest. Washington irvings 1820 tale of a headless horseman who terrorizes the reallife. Washington irvings the legend of sleepy hollow is his spooky and comedic exploration of the power of local legend. The legend of sleepy hollow is a gothic story by american author washington irving, contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories entitled the sketch book of geoffrey crayon, gent written while irving was living abroad in birmingham, england, the legend of sleepy hollow was first published in 1820. Although it is known for its contribution to the creation of american culture and literature, he wrote the story while living in birmingham, england, during a. The favourite and last of 11 children of an austere presbyterian father and a genial anglican mother, young, frail irving grew up. Other short stories by washington irving also available along with many others by classic. What is the tone of irvings short story the legend of. The legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving is the tale of a schoolmaster from sleepy hollow, which is a village located near the tappen zee river in new york.
The legend of sleepy hollow litcharts from the creators. The classic american ghost story follows the tale of ichabod crane. I liked some stories better than others, but overall im giving the book 4 stars. The legend of sleepy hollow tells the story of ichabod crane and his hapless attempt to win the heart and hand of katrina van tassel in the context of a comical ghost story. Washington irving s 1820 tale of a headless horseman who terrorizes the reallife village of sleepy hollow is considered one of. The surprising reallife origins of the legend of sleepy hollow. Learn more about irvings life and writing career in this article. In this episode, walt disney introduces us to the life of washington irving, the author of the sleepy hollow tale. The legend of sleepy hollow summary from litcharts the. The legend of sleepy hollow in the bosom of one of those spacious coves which indent the eastern shore of the hudson, at that broad expansion of the river denominated by the ancient dutch navigators the tappan zee, and where they always prudently shortened sail and implored the protection of saint nicholas, there lies a small market town which is generally known by the name of tarry town. Most of us are well acquainted with ichabod crane and the. The story behind sleepy hollow historical digression. It tells the story 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 18yearold katrina van tassel, the daughter and sole child of a.