“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle” are famous short stories that were published - in the form of a collection
- in the year 1819 by Washington Irving. Those were the days when the North Eastern states were still largely rustic, sparsely populated and dominated by the descendants of the original settlers.
This is the location, then, of the isolated valley known as Sleepy Hollow. The valley’s claim to fame, however, rests with being the exotic location of the “
Headless Horseman” legend. The “Headless Horseman” is reputed to be the ghost of a British soldier who was killed during the American Revolutionary War. He is supposed to haunt the valley in the dead of night, especially in the vicinity of the church. The truth of this apparition has never been ascertained, but has been the subject matter of much gossip and speculation by the local populace. The success of the story – and of its author – is that the mystery of the “Headless Horseman” remains intact even after the ending!
Ichabold Crane (a schoolteacher), Brom Bones (a rider known for his horsemanship), and Katrina Van Tassel (a pretty lady who commands their affections) are the main protagonists of this tale. None of these characters are especially sympathetic; the reason being that they are rooted to their time and place. This is what one would expect from them in that they behave more or less according to type. Thus, the unexpected twist is not provided by the characters, but by the situation they find themselves in. The hallmark of any good ghost (or spooky) story is that a lot is left to the imagination of the reader; “The legend of Spooky Hollow” leaves much unsaid and unexplained as well.
This is a moody, atmospheric tale. Its success as a short story rests upon the strength of its narration – and the description of its scenic surroundings. The main characters, the “Headless Horseman” and the environs all merge together into a seamless whole. One is transported back into another era in time; a window opens into an historical period that one reads about mostly in history books. America needed a mythology for the white man; authors like Irving helped to create one for them. Tales such as this, tales of early settlers, Red Indians and the untamed wilderness, no doubt resonate strongly with the American psyche… but may not make such a strong impression on outsiders.
There is an unstated irony in this tale – Ichabod Crane (the main character) is interested in, and prides himself for, his knowledge of the supernatural. He is said to be fascinated by these tales, of which there are plenty, but it is never clearly spelled out whether he really believes in them or not. However, when he is confronted face to face with the “Headless Horseman” (in whatever guise), he comes up short. He is also unsuccessful in wooing his lady love, let alone in understanding her motivations. His psalms (hymns) also fail him in his hour of need; both with his lady love and the “Headless Horseman”. All these failures come together at the same, and he considers it wisest to leave the enchanted valley and try his luck in more mundane parts of the country.