The story opens with the narrator describing the little
Dutch village and the surrounding country, a quiet and magical place. We are introduced
to the local schoolteacher, the gawky Ichabod Crane, considered to be the most learned
man in the area. He is particularly fond of witchcraft and magic, including the local
tale of the headless Hessian who rides through the area at night looking for his missing
head.
Crane is enamored with Katrina Van Tassel, a local
lass whose house also provides wonderful food. He dreams of Katrina--and the food--but
she has another suitor: Brom Bones, a handsome man who is quite the opposite of Ichabod.
Brom decides to play a series of pranks on Ichabod. One night at a party at the Van
Tassels, Ichabod becomes so overwhelmed by the good food that he decides to ask for
Katrina's hand in marriage. He is turned down, however, and he sadly begins his ride
home.
While on the road, Ichabod encounters the Headless
Horseman (actually Brom Bones), who chases him and finally knocks Ichabod from his horse
with his severed head (actually a pumpkin). When Ichabod does not show up to teach his
class the next morning, a search party investigates. All they find is his hat and a few
of his belongings alongside a broken pumpkin. Brom marries Katrina, but Ichabod is never
seen again.
The primary themes of the story have to do with
the differences between witchcraft and tall tales, and realistic beliefs; and how the
lives of country folk differ from city life.
No comments:
Post a Comment