Folk Tale Characteristics in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow...

Folk Tale Characteristics in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one of the most well-known stories in American literature, and with good reason. Throughout his story, Washington Irving uses many stylistic ideas to create a fantastically detailed and descriptive romantic folk tale. Irving begins The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with a vivid description of the setting of his story. Beginning with the Dutch history of the area, he goes on to describe the town as one of the quietest places in the whole world, with a tranquil brook running through it and the sweet sounds of chirping birds all around (1). Irving delves into the towns history, citing Indian legends which say that†¦show more content†¦The sky is depicted as being clear and serene, and the surrounding trees wore that rich golden livery which we always associate with the idea of abundance (9). Another half of a paragraph is devoted to describing the sober and brilliant colors of the grees, the wild ducks flying above, the chattering noises of the squirrel, and the cry of the quail. The following paragraph is entirely dedicated to noticing all the local breeds of birds, such as the cockrobin, blackbirds, golden-winged woodpecker, cedar-bird, and blue jay. The fruits and vegetables are given specia l notice as well, and is described as vast, rich, ample, and holding out the promise of cakes and hasty-pudding (10). This description of nature is a major traditional characteristic of the romantic genre, because it contributes to the fascination with nature, describing it not only as being beautiful, but also as an abundant resource. Hearsay is another prominant characteristic of a romantic folk tale. Folk tales are traditionally passed down orally, and are often subject to exaggerations or outright lies in order to enhance their entertainment appeal. This stylistic trait is found in many details throughout Irvings story. Right from the begining of his tale, the narrator lets his audience know that there are many theories regarding the curse of the Sleepy Hollow land, and noShow MoreRelated The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow Essay1057 Words   |  5 Pages The Legend of Sleepy Hollow The short story I have chosen to read by Washington Irving is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.; This story takes place in a little village on the Hudson River which by some is called Greensburgh, but which is more generally known as Tarry Town. The main character in the story, Ichabod Crane, who tarried; in Sleepy Hollow came about for the purpose of instructing the children of the vicinity. The main point of the story began with the arrival of a Negro with an invitationRead MoreWashington Irving, American Story Teller Essay1176 Words   |  5 Pagesfound in legend and folklore a view of the natural world colored by emotion, by superstition, and by the ancient belief that supernatural beings inhabit the wild places of the earth. He wrote stories that illustrated old truths about human nature and the dramatic possibilities of the American landscape.† Although Irving wrote over twenty volumes, including essays, poems, histories, biographies, and more, in class, we have focused on hi s fiction. Irving dispersed many beliefs and legends of his timeRead More Gender Issues in Washington Irvings The Legend of Sleepy Hollow2345 Words   |  10 PagesGender Issues in Washington Irvings The Legend of Sleepy Hollow   At first glance, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving seems to be an innocent tale about a superstitious New England town threatened by a strange new comer, Icabod Crane. However, this descriptive narrative is more than just a simple tale because it addresses several gender issues that deserve attention. The pervasiveness of female influence in Sleepy Hollow and the conflict between male and female storytellingRead MoreWashington Irving, American Story Teller Essay2312 Words   |  10 Pagesfound in legend and folklore a view of the natural world colored by emotion, by superstition, and by the ancient belief that supernatural beings inhabit the wild places of the earth. He wrote stories that illustrated old truths about human nature and the dramatic possibilities of the American landscape.† Although Irving wrote over twenty volumes, including essays, poems, histories, biographies, and more, in class, we have focused on his fiction. Irving dispersed many beliefs and legends of his time