Book Review

the Legend of Sleepy Hollow . Washington Irving. 1819

Since the United States of America declared their independence in 1776, so many immigrants from different regions have immigrated to it. On the land of America, the ordinary public and capitalism began their fight and cooperation. That is the realistic background of the book I read, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, written by Washington Irving.

This book mainly tells about the story of three people, Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel and Brom Van Brunt. Ichabod was a penniless but gifted teacher in sleepy hollow. He loved Katrina for her wealth and beauty and imagined to own Katrina and her wealth unrealistically. Katrina knew his dirty thought and cooperated with her lover Brunt to scale Ichabod by hocus-pocus. Finally, Ichabod was fooled and left the sleepy hollow.

Through the story, Irving may want to convey the criticism of the social reality and the despicable act of Ichabod Crane. Meanwhile, he highly praised the serenity of the village in sleepy hollow and the plainness and goodness of villagers in sleepy hollow.

Though it seems that Ichabod is the only one bad gay in the novel, I think the characteristics of the three major characters are more contradictory than it. Ichabod was absolutely penniless and mean, but he was also gifted and taught the locals to sing and read. Apparently, Ichabod was an ordinary person with ordinary background and appearance. Though Katrine was beautiful and wealthy, if her mind matched her outer beauty was not certain. She was a bit scheming, tempting Brunt to help her manage Ichabod and making all the men crazy for her. And Brunt, strong and powerful, but was infatuated by love.

When it comes to the plots and words, the borrowing from the folklore of German headless horseman, bringing us a sense of mystery. When it told the scene of Ichabod beholding the luxurious and vivifying Dutch farm and mansion, Irving used some witty remark to show us Ichabod’s great desire. For instance, “the ducks pairing cozily in dishes, like snug married couples, with a decent competency of onion sauce”. It seems like that the farm, mansion and girl were put in Ichabod’s pocket, but actually it was all the bubbles.

In my opinion, the novel successfully represents the peaceful and graceful village life in sleepy hollow well. Hence, we can not only feel happy atmosphere among the sleepy hollow, but also find how the competence between Ichabod and Kathrine together with Brunt. Besides, we can feel Ichabod’s embarrassment and meanness when he was disillusioned. The villagers were a little rude and gossipy, but all have great kindness in their mind, which may be the reflection of the contemporary civilians’ characteristics.

Actually, this novel is selected from The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. And many people compare it with an ancient Chinese article called Peach Blossom Spring, whose plot is slightly similar with the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. However, the former dose not criticize the dark side of humanity, but expresses the yearn for happy village life like the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

2019-12-24

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