Review of the book The legend of sleepy hollow by Washington Irving

The Belarusian State University

 

 

 

Review of the book

The legend of sleepy hollow

by  Washington Irving 

 

 

 

Made by

Dmitry Korneichik

Group 3

 

 

 

Minsk 2012

Plan

1. Introduction
2. Introduction to the characters
3. Outline of the plot 
4. My own opinion of the book

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

The story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", written in 1819 by Washington Irving, has been depicted as a horror story for over a hundred years, and at first glance this characterization seems well deserved; as it has all the makings of a horror story.  In the story there is a projection of good vs. evil, in which the figure projected as evil wins. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" symbolizes Irving Washington and other men's short comings during the shift in the American market from paper, gold, and silver to credit.

Introduction to the characters

There are four main characters in the book.

Ichabod Crane

As described in the story, Ichabod Crane is a timid schoolteacher who travels to Sleepy Hollow to teach the children of the area. This, in company with his ability to ingratiate himself, persuades many of the townspeople to successively lodge him at their homes for a week at a time, which serves as his sole source of shelter.

Katrina Van Tassel

The daughter of Judge Van Tassel, a beautiful young woman, she lost his mother in her childhood, lives with her father and stepmother, who does not like her. Katrina was the daughter of a wealthy farm owner, and many men were after her heart.

Brom Van Brunt

Brom was the town brute, who had all the muscles and showmanship someone could possess. He symbolizes the idea of hard money by being solid and being able to look at him and see what you're getting. He used this to his advantage in attempting to woo Katrina.

 

Outline of plot

The story is set in 1790 in the countryside around the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town in a secluded glen called Sleepy Hollow. Sleepy Hollow is renowned for its ghosts and the haunting atmosphere that pervades the imaginations of its inhabitants and visitors. The most infamous spectre in the Hollow is the Headless Horseman, said to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper who had his head shot away.

Ichabod Crane was sent to school, for that would teach children something new. but as soon as he arrives there, you begin to happen around the incredible and incomprehensible things. People talk about the Sleepy Hollow, who comes every night for one of them and takes their heads. The teacher did not believe this legend until he did not get into this situation and saw dead body without a head. The fearless teacher begins her own investigation. He finds that all the action revolves around a family and their legacy. All of the people who were killed were from one family and everyone had a right to part of the property. Ichabod soon discovers unknown mark under his bed, which Catherine had drawn, the girl he loved coming here. Then he decides to leave the city did not finish the job, and his love falls into misfortune, she must die. But he remembers one book, Catherine gave him and he realized that this sign is protected him. Then he decides to go back and finish the job, but then he realizes that Katherine is also in a danger and tries to help her. As a result, everyone will know who actually worked at the summit of these terrible things. It was the Catherine’s stepmother, who stole the skull of the Sleepy Hollow and manipulated and forced him to kill others. Ichabod rescues Catherine and together they decide to go to his city.

My opinion of the book

 

As for me The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one of the most exciting books I have ever read. It was very interesting for me to learn something new about old people’s legend of that time. It’s real very exciting story. This book hasn’t lost relevance nowadays. It’s interesting book for those who like a scary and dark stories. I advise you to read it.