DOCSLIB.ORG

An Analysis of Ichabod Crane's Self-Destruction in Washington

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
An Analysis of Ichabod Crane's Self-Destruction in Washington CHAPTER III Ichabod Crane's Characters and Conflicts in Washington Irving's that Turn Him into Self- Destruction In this chapter, to answer the research problem, the thesis writer analyzes the specific characters of the main Washington Irving's short The thesis writer analyzes them according to Carpenter's postulation. Subsequently, the thesis writer analyzes Ichabod's conflicts, all of which are caused by his characters. In other words, the thesis writer analyzes why Ichabod Crane has specific characters and 16 17 how such characters, which cause lots of conflicts, lead him to his self- destruction. 3. lchabod Crane’s Characters According to Carpenter, there are many are words, actions, appearances, backgrounds, and the opinion of a person’s motivations and personality. Referring to the above explanation, the thesis writer interprets that Ichabod has several specific characters, which appear from his action, appearance, background, opinion of others and words. Then, the thesis writer discusses each of them using the literary theory to analyze each of Ichabod Crane’s characters. 3.1 Ichabod Crane as a Superstitious Person Explicitly, it is stated in the short story that Ichabod Crane is a superstitious person, who believes in charms, omens, supernatural things, etc. It is shown in this quotation, ”He had read several books quite through, and was a perfect master of Cotton Mather’s History of New England Witchcraft, in which, by the way, he most firmly and potently believed” (276). Cotton Mather’s History of New England is a book about the history of New England’s supernatural events. Thus, the quotation means that Ichabod Crane believes in every story about supernatural events since he reads all the books and masters all the stories about Cotton Mather’s History of New England. Therefore, Ichabod Crane is assumed as a superstitious person. 18 Further, the thesis writer also finds that lchabod Crane’s superstition grows stronger ever since his coming to Sleepy Hollow. As it says in the short story, His appetite for the marvelous, and his powers of digesting it, were equally extraordinary; and both had been increased by his residence in this spell region. No tale was to gross or monstrous for his capacious swallow. It was often his delight, after his school was dismissed of an afternoon, to stretch himself on the rich bed of clover, bordering the little brook that whimpered by his school house, and there con over old Mather’s direful tales, until gathering dusk of evening made the printed page a mere mist before his eyes (277). The above-mentioned quotation shows that Ichabod’s fondness in listening and gathering superstitious stories increases since his coming to Sleepy Hollow. One of the explicit examples, he spends most of his time to please himself with his imagination of superstitious things. That he spends his time with superstitious things shows that Ichabod Crane is a superstitious person. Then, he is willing to spend most of his time in the evening to imagine supernatural things since it makes him happy. Indeed, the happiness that he gets from finding supernatural scenery shows that he is a superstitious person. Moreover, Ichabod Crane’s superstition can be seen through the way he believes in every common thing that happens to him. Then, as he wended his way, by swamp and stream and awful woodland, to the farmhouse where he happened to be quartered, every sound of nature, at that witching hour, fluttered his excited imagination. The fire flies, too, which sparkled most vividly in the darkest places, now and 19 then startled him, as one of uncommon brightness would stream across his path; and if by chance, a huge blockhead of a beetle came winging his blundering flight against him, the poor varlet was ready to give up the ghost, with the idea that he was struck with a witch’s token (277). It says that whenever he goes home, he relates everything with his belief of superstition. He thinks that anything came across his path is not ordinary thing but is something related with ghost appearance or superstitious things. According to Ichabod Crane’s act can be related to superstition since his act is based on fear or ignorance that is inconsistent with what is generally considered in the particular society as true and rational. The inhabitants in Sleepy Hollow have the same beliefs like Ichabod Crane, but they are not afraid of the supernatural likewise Ichabod Crane. Therefore, the thesis writer assumes that Ichabod Crane is a superstitious person. Besides, the thesis writer finds that lchabod Crane finds pleasure in listening to superstitious stories, which are re-told by the Old Dutch women in the neighborhood. Like it is stated in the short story, Another of his sources of fearful pleasure was, to pass long winter evenings with the Old Dutch wives, as they sat spinning by the fire, with a row of apples roasting and sputtering along the hearth, and listen to their marvelous tales of ghosts and goblins, and haunted fields and haunted brooks, and haunted bridges and haunted houses, and particularly of the headless horseman, or galloping Hessian of the Hollow, as they sometimes called him (277). 20 Ichabod Crane finds pleasure in listening to superstitious stories. He spends most of his time to listen to superstitious stories that are re-told by the Old Dutch women in Sleepy Hollow. From all the above explanation about Ichabod Crane’s superstition, the thesis writer assumes that Ichabod Crane’s superstition appears because of the influence of the stories re-told by the women in Sleepy Hollow. Actually, it is not only the women in Sleepy Hollow that influence Ichabod’s character, but the environment in Sleepy Hollow also directly influences Ichabod Crane’s characters as a superstitious person. It is shown in the below quotation. The neighborhood is rich in legendary treasures of the kind. Local tales and superstitions thrive best in these sheltered, long settled retreats; but are trampled under foot, by shifting throng that forms the population of most of our country places. The immediate cause, however, of the prevalence of supernatural stories in these parts, was doubtless owing to the vicinity of Sleepy Hollow (289). The meaning of the word ’prevalence’ in this quotation widely exists. Thus, the above-mentioned quotation means that the supernatural stories in Sleepy Hollow widely exist and are re-told to the descendant through generations. Therefore, it is not surprisingly that Ichabod Crane’s coming to Sleepy Hollow grows his superstition since the environment influences him a lot. From all the explanation above about Ichabod Crane being a superstitious person, the thesis writer finds that Ichabod Crane is actually afraid of those superstitious things. ”Another of his sources of fearful pleasure was, ” (277). In other words, even though he likes to listen to superstitious stories, actually he is 21 afraid of them. His fear appears because he cannot think rationally, such thinking can be seen through this quotation, How often did he shrink with curdling awe at the sound of his own steps on the frosty crust beneath his feet; and dread to look over his shoulder, lest he should behold some uncouth being tramping close behind him! All these, however, were mere terrors of the night, phantom of the mind, that walk in darkness; yet daylight put an end to all these evils; and he would have passed a pleasant life of it (278). Ichabod Crane’s inability to control his fear influences his mind that later on makes him imagine things beyond normal. He is even afraid of his own step on the frosty crust beneath and on his night walk to go home. This really shows that his fear and his superstition make him unable to think rationally. The self-destruction happens when his fear and his superstition over control his minds. He likes to listen to superstitious stories, and he is eager to find from Sleepy Hollow neighborhood about anything related to supernatural things, but he does not have a chance to prove whether it is true or not because he does not have the strength to do it. It can be seen through this quotation. Just at this moment a splashy tramp by the side of the bridge caught the sensitive ear of Ichabod. In the dark shadow of the grove, on the margin of the brook, he beheld something huge misshapen, black and towering. The hair of the affrighted pedagogue rose upon his head with terror. What was to be done? To turn and fly was now too late; and besides, what chance was there of escaping ghost or goblin, if such it was, which could ride upon the wings of the wind? Summoning up, therefore, a 22 show of courage, he demanded in stammering accents ”who are you?” (293). The above quotation shows that Ichabod Crane is over-controlled by his fear and superstition, which make him unable to think rationally. On his meeting with the headless horseman, he does not have the courage to check whether it is a true apparition or not. Even, for a while he does not know what to do; this shows his inability to control his mind. His fear avoids him to check whether it is the real headless horseman, while his superstition assumes that must be the real apparition of the headless horseman. In other words, he is terribly afraid, and his over-fear hinders him to be rational, to look back to prove the existence of the headless horseman. Therefore, in the story, he runs his horse as fast as he can to avoid it.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
    University of South Carolina Scholar Commons Faculty Publications English Language and Literatures, Department of 2004 Troubling Our Heads about Ichabod: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," Classic American Literature, and the Sexual Politics of Homosocial Brotherhood David Greven University of South Carolina - Columbia, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/engl_facpub Part of the English Language and Literature Commons Publication Info Published in American Quarterly, Volume 56, Issue 1, 2004, pages 83-110. © American Quarterly 2004, John Hopkins University Press Greven, D. (2004). Troubling our heads about Ichabod: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” classic American literature, and the sexual politics of homosocial brotherhood. American Quarterly, 56(1), 83-110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/aq.2004.0006 This Article is brought to you by the English Language and Literatures, Department of at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 7URXEOLQJ2XU+HDGVDERXW,FKDERG7KH/HJHQGRI 6OHHS\+ROORZ&ODVVLF$PHULFDQ/LWHUDWXUHDQGWKH 6H[XDO3ROLWLFVRI+RPRVRFLDO%URWKHUKRRG 'DYLG*UHYHQ American Quarterly, Volume 56, Number 1, March 2004, pp. 83-110 (Article) 3XEOLVKHGE\-RKQV+RSNLQV8QLYHUVLW\3UHVV DOI: 10.1353/aq.2004.0006 For additional information about this article http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/aq/summary/v056/56.1greven.html Access provided by Lou __ACCESS_STATEMENT__ Beth Holtz Library Endowment (16 Jul 2015 15:23 GMT) TROUBLING OUR HEADS 83 Troubling Our Heads about Ichabod: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” Classic American Literature, and the Sexual Politics of Homosocial Brotherhood DAVID GREVEN Boston University ANTEBELLUM AMERICAN MEN WERE SCOPOPHILIC SPECTACLES, PROJECTED ONTO vast social screens where they were perpetually scrutinized by innu- merable punitive eyes.
    [Show full text]
  • Wisconsin Folklore and Folklife Society Which Has Excellent Promise
    FOLKLORE Walker D. Wyman Acknowledgement Unive rsity of Wisconsin-Extension· is especially indebted to Dr. Loren Robin­ son of the Department of J ournali sm, University of Wisconsin, River Fall s, and lo Leon Zaborowski, Universit y Extension, River Falls, for the initial concept of a series of articles on Wisconsin fo lklore, published through daily and weekly newspa­ pe rs in Wisconsin. It was from those articles by Walker Wyman that this book was developed. The contribution of the va rious newspapers which ca rried the articles is also gratefully acknowledged. A Grass Roots Book Copyright © 1979 by Unive r sity of Wisconsin Boar d of Regents All r ight s r eserved Libra ry of Congress Catalog Ca rd Number 79-65323 Published by University of Wisconsin-Extension Department of Arts Development. Price: $4.95 ii Foreword The preparation of a book on folklore to be published by the University Exten­ sion is a major event. There has been, for many years, strong sentiment that the University of Wisconsi n ought to take a more dynamic interest in folklore, and that eventually, academic work in that subject should be established on many of the cam­ puses. So far only the Universities at Eau C laire, River Falls, and at Stevens Point have formal courses. The University at M adison has never had an y such course though informal interest has been strongly present. The University at R iver Falls has developed, through the activities and interests of Dr. Walker W yman, a publish­ ing program which has produced several books of regional fol klore.
    [Show full text]
  • The Yankee Comic Character: Its Origins
    THE YANKEE COMIC CHARACTER: ITS ORIGINS AND DEVELOP:MENT IN AMERICAN LITERATURE THROUGH 1830 By ALECIA A CRAMER Bachelor ofArts Oklahoma State University StiUwater, Oklahoma 1991 Submitted to the Faculty ofthe Graduate College ofthe Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS July, ]995 OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY THE YANKEE COMIC CHARACTER: ITS ORIGINS AND DEVELOP:MENT IN AMERICAN LITERATURE THROUGH 1830 Thesis Approved: a-L C. ii PREFACE This study attempts to address why the Yankee comic character became the butt of early American humor and how the character developed into an enduring comic figure in American literature. The Yankee comic character has developed into one ofthe most enduring comic characters in American Literature, appearing many times in Mark Twain's fiction and in various works ofcomedy in the twentieth century. Many scholars have addressed the development ofthe Yankee in American literature after the 1830s, but little attention is paid to the origins ofthis character type and the development ofthe Yankee character into the mature, weU-developed type ofthe 1830s. The Yankee character was at once both a simple, naive rustic with a uruque dialect and a shrewd, practical manipulator full ofambition and greed. As he changes and develops, the Yankee comic character :embodies the complexities and incongruities ofa democratic society struggling to fuse the ideal with the real, the language ofculture with the language ofthe ordinary man. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my thesis adviser, Dr. Jeffrey Walker, for his unlimited help, patience and encouragement of my research and writing efforts.
    [Show full text]
  • “Sleepy Hollow” Ichabod Crane: Comparing and Contrasting Different Medium Lesson Overview
    “Sleepy Hollow” Ichabod Crane: Comparing and Contrasting Different Medium Lesson Overview Overview: Students will read an adapted version of Washington Irving’s “Sleepy Hollow”. Before students read the story, they will analyze a cartoon sketch of the character Ichabod Crane. Using an analysis tool, the students will analyze the sketch noting anything unique. The lesson will continue with discussion of the classroom, as well as a quick lesson on classrooms in the 18th century. By the end of the lesson, students will have a better understanding of how fiction is influenced by real events and people, as well as being able to compare similar content in different mediums. Grade Range: 6-8 Objective: After completing this activity, students should be able to: Understand the history behind a short story prior to reading the material. Differentiate between the historical fiction of the short story “Sleepy Hollow” and the historical fact. Compare and contrast different mediums containing similar content (i.e. short story and cartoon sketch). Time Required: Two class periods of 45 minutes. Discipline/Subject: Short Story/Literature Topic/Subject: Culture, Folklife and Literature Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815 Standards Illinois Learning Standards: Common Core Standard: Standards for ELA &Literacy in History/ Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects: 7th Grade Students: Goal #8: Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors
    [Show full text]
  • Nys Independent Living Centers Annual Performance Report System Change Outcome Inventory October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012
    NYS INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT SYSTEM CHANGE OUTCOME INVENTORY OCTOBER 1, 2011 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS EDUCATION ADVOCACY 2011-2012 EMPLOYMENT ADVOCACY 2011-2012 HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY 2011-2012 COMMERCE ADVOCACY 2011-2012 SOCIAL ADVOCACY 2011-2012 CITIZENSHIP ADVOCACY 2011-2012 EDUCATION ADVOCACY 2011-2012 Center EDUCATION ADVOCACY SYSTEM CHANGE OUTCOME ALBANY - CDCI Ichabod Crane Central School District changed the transition planning procedures for students with disabilities to regularly provide information on Independent Living Centers, vocational rehabilitation services, and community based services to the students and their parents. Also, CDCI was permitted to routinely conduct a presentation on its services to the faculty during the Professional Staff Development Day. ALBANY - CDCI Burnt Hills Ballston Lakes Central School District changed the transition planning procedures for students with disabilities to allow CDCI to regularly participate in the Parent Transition Sessions in order to facilitate a more efficient referral process to Independent Living Center services and community resources. ALBANY - CDCI Columbia High School in East Greenbush changed its practices to routinely provide to students with disabilities information on Independent Living Centers, vocational rehabilitation services, the Client Assistance Program, and community based services. ALBANY - CDCI Schenectady High School changed its practices to routinely provide to students with disabilities information on Independent Living Centers, vocational rehabilitation services, and community based services. ALBANY - CDCI Disability Resource Center at the State University of New York (SUNY) University at Albany changed its practices to permit CDCI to post flyers on all campus bill boards to ensure equal access to services for students with disabilities.
    [Show full text]
  • Cartographers As Critics: Staking Claims in the Mapping of American Literature
    Cartographers as Critics: Staking Claims in the Mapping of American Literature by Kyle Carsten Wyatt A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of English Collaborative Program in Book History & Print Culture University of Toronto © Copyright by Kyle Carsten Wyatt 2011 Cartographers as Critics: Staking Claims in the Mapping of American Literature Kyle Carsten Wyatt Doctor of Philosophy Department of English Collaborative Program in Book History & Print Culture University of Toronto 2011 Abstract “Cartographers as Critics: Staking Claims in the Mapping of American Literature” recuperates the print culture phenomenon of literary map production, which became popular in North America around 1898. A literary map can be defined as any pictorial map that depicts imaginative worlds or authorial associations across geopolitical space. While notable examples have circulated for centuries in bound books, such as Thomas More’s Utopia and William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom!, the majority of twentieth- century literary maps were ephemeral productions that have not survived in great numbers. These discursive documents functioned as compelling expressions of literary taste and cultural values; they circulated in magazines and newspapers, as gas station promotional giveaways and diner placemats, and as classroom “equipment.” Extant literary maps offer new perspectives on turn-of-the-twentieth century U.S. literary nationalism and the Public Library Movement, “fiction debates” and “Great Books”
    [Show full text]
  • A Historical Overview of Old Kinderhook from the Beginning of the World Until the Near Future in the Context of Its Folklore, Legends and Supposed Actual History
    O.K. A Historical Overview of Old Kinderhook from the Beginning of the World until the Near Future in the Context of Its Folklore, Legends and Supposed Actual History by Christopher Kline 2017 A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere... The whole neighborhood abounds with local tales, haunted spots, and twilight superstitions; stars shoot and meteors glare oftener across the valley than in any other part of the country, and the night-mare, with her whole ninefold, seems to make it the favorite scene of her gambols. Washington Irving in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, 1820 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 .... O.K. 5 .... The Musical 6-7 .... A Note on Scope, Borders, and other Demarcations 8 .... Kinderhook 9 .... The Beginning of the World 10 .... The Mohicans 11 .... Henry Hudson 12 .... Dutch Patroonships and the English Takeover 13 .... The Legend of Sleepy Hollow 14-15 .... Martin Van Buren 16-17 .... The Shakers 18 .... The Great Blizzard and Fire of 1888 19-20 .... Conspicuously Absent Histories 21 .... Daughters of Columbia County & Kinderkrafters 22 .... Civic Groups 23 .... Women’s Concealed Carry Fashion Show 24-25 .... Notable Imports: Ellsworth Kelly and Serpico 26 .... The Kinderhook Creature 27 .... Kinderhook Politicians Since Van Buren 28 .... The History of the Fields 29 .... The Anti-Muslim Death Ray Plot 30 .... New York State Historical Markers 31 .... Partial Bibliography This guide serves to provide a general overview and a non-definitive, in-process excava- tion of Old Kinderhook’s past which may serve as an introduction into countless, more detailed accounts.
    [Show full text]
  • Washington Irving and His Contribution in American Literary History
    Pramana Research Journal ISSN NO: 2249-2976 Washington Irving and his contribution in American Literary History Dr. Jayanta Mukherjee Associate Professor & Head, Department of English, Belda College Belda-721424 West Bengal, India Mob: 9874206121 [email protected] Abstract The primary focus of this study is to critically analyse the contribution of Washington Irving in American literary history. Washington Irving (April 3, 1783 - November 28, 1859) was an American short story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. 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 Cravon. Gent. His historical works include biographies of Oliver Goldsmith. Muhammad and George Washington, as well as several histories of 15th-century Spain that deal with subjects such as Alhambra. Christopher Columbus and the Moors. Irving served as ambassador to Spain from 1842 to 1846. He made his literary debut in 1802 with a series of observational letters to the Morning Chronicle, written under the pseudonym Jonathan Oldstyle. He moved to England for the family business in 1815 where he achieved fame with the publication of The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., serialized from 1819-20. He continued to publish regularly throughout his life, and he completed a five-volume biography of George Washington just eight months before his death at age 76 in Tarrvtown. New York. Irving was one of the first American writers to earn acclaim in Europe, and he encouraged other American authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne.
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of Ichabod Crane's Self-Destruction in Washington
    Chapter IV Conclusion After reading the story, the thesis writer finds that Ichabod Crane has several specific characters, which are superstitious, coward, tricky, greedy and arrogant. Furthermore, the thesis writer concludes that Ichabod Crane’s characters create conflicts, which are inner and outer conflicts that later lead him into self- destruction. The inner conflict appears as the result of his being superstitious while the outer conflict with the society appears because of his being greedy, tricky and arrogant. The thesis writer finds that Ichabod Crane is over-controlled by his own characters; therefore they create conflicts and later lead Ichabod Crane in to self-destruction. 39 40 As it is stated in the analysis, the thesis writer finds that Ichabod is a superstitious person, who likes and believes so much on superstitious stories. He spends most of his time to listen to superstitious stories, and the fact that he is interested too much on superstitious stories shows that he is over-controlled by it while on the other hand, he is afraid of it. The thesis writer finds that later, his superstitious makes him be unable to think rationally, while on the other hand he has fear that makes him more irrational. The self-destruction happens on his encounter with the headless horseman. His superstition assumes that it is true the headless horseman while his fear avoids himself to check whether it is true the headless horseman. Finally, he runs and disappears. Hence, his superstition and fear destroy himself. Furthermore, the thesis writer finds that Ichabod Crane’s being tricky also leads him into self-destruction.
    [Show full text]
  • The Enteric Terrors of Washington Irving
    investigations | frederick kaufman Gut Reaction The Enteric Terrors of Washington Irving On january 22, 1803, a young journalist published the fol- Background: Knickerbocker’s History of New York lowing cultural observations in NewY ork’s Morning Chronicle: The book that rst brought Irving worldwide fame was pub- I had marched into the theatre through rows of tables heaped up with lished almost two decades before “The Legend of Sleepy delicacies of every kind—here a pyramid of apples or oranges invited Hollow.” It was called Diedrich Knickerbocker’s History of the playful palate of the dainty; while there a regiment of mince pies New York, and although it purported to be an objective and custards promised a more substantial regale to the hungry. I account of the triumphs and travails of the earliest Dutch entered the box, and looked round with astonishment… The crackling settlers of New Amsterdam, it was just as much a compara- of nuts and the craunching of apples saluted my ears on every side. tive study of Dutch and Yankee eating habits. Surely, thought I, never was an employment followed up with more Irving’s focus on foodstuffs throughout the History can assiduity than that of gormandizing; already it pervades every public serve as an introduction to Ichabod Crane’s dizzying inti- place of amusement… macy with a pumpkin because the History illustrates the The eating mania prevails through every class of society; not a soul great metaphorical power Irving assigned to such prosaic but has caught the infection. Eating clubs are established in every street comestibles as cabbages and onions.
    [Show full text]
  • Walking Tour Brochure
    Village of Kinderhook Farther Afield HISTORIC The settlement at Kinderhook (Dutch, “children’s 29 Luykas Van Alen House: 2589 Route 9H (1737) corner”) began in the 1660s by Dutch families One of the finest examples of Dutch architecture, this from Albany. Originally called het Dorp or Groot house features parapet gables, Dutch doors and stoops, distinctive Dutch brickwork, and iron beam anchors. The Stuk, the settlement formed on the west bank of KINDERHOOK home was designated a National Historic Landmark in the Kinderhook Creek on lands purchased from 1967 and is open for tours during the summer. the Mahican Indians. 30 Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse: (ca. 1850) VILLAGE During colonial times, large farms and spacious lots Now on the grounds of the Van Alen House. This one- shaped the nascent hamlet. Roads in place then – first room schoolhouse was moved kitty-corner from the A Walking & Bicycling Tour William Street and later Hudson, Albany, and Broad other side of Route 9H in 1974 by the Columbia County Streets – formed a pattern that remains to this day. Historical Society. The building was a functioning school until 1940. The name Ichabod Crane comes from the Washington Irving tale, The Legend of Sleepy Colorful historic figures passed through Kinderhook Hollow. Jesse Merwin, a local schoolteacher, was the during the American Revolution. One of them was prototype for the main character. Colonel Henry Knox, whose horse-drawn sledges carried artillery through the village in January 1776 31 Lindenwald – Martin Van Buren National Historic en route from Ticonderoga to Boston. Site: 1013 Old Post Road (1797) Built by Peter Van Ness in Following the Revolution, Kinderhook experienced 1797, this house was later purchased by President significant growth as it emerged as a postal and Martin Van Buren as his stagecoach stop between Albany and New York retirement home.
    [Show full text]
  • Legend of Sleepy Hollow Teacher's Guide
    NEW MEXICO YOUNG ACTORS LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW STUDY GUIDE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW by Vera Morris Based on the short story by Washington Irving Directed by Rachel Ribeiro Costumes by Jaime Pardo Sets by Kristin Hawson and Rachel Ribeiro Dear Teachers, Welcome to New Mexico Young Actors’ production of Legend of Sleepy Hollow. We are offering this study guide as a way to help you prepare your classes for our upcoming production. Included in this guide are a history and synopsis of our story, a list of characters, a vocabulary list and lesson ideas, as well as some audience protocol reminders. We always enjoy hearing from you and your students and look forward to receiving any pictures, stories, or comments about the production. Thank you for your interest in and support of New Mexico Young Actors. We look forward to seeing you soon! History and Synopsis Washington Irving was born in New York in 1783, just as the United States, as an independent country, was in its infancy. He is known as the first American man of letters and is mostly remembered for his short stories “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle,” both of which first appeared in his collection of stories, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent, published in 1820. Irving wrote many more stories, biographies, and satires, and spent the years 1842—1846 as U.S. Ambassador to Spain. He died in New York in 1859. The play is set in the Dutch farming community of Sleepy Hollow, New York in the early 1800s.
    [Show full text]