Compare And Contrast Sleepy Hollow Book And Movie

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In the past century, many classic books, short stories, and novella have been adapted into on-screen versions. This is because some people may find that watching a story unfold in front of their eyes more enticing than reading from a book. Others enjoy being able to see and compare a story they may have read come to life on screen. Since there are so many aspects that have to be altered in order to make the movie appeal to the audience, the faithfulness, or lack of, to the original work can cause readers to dislike the cinematic version. However, a true work of fidelity is unreachable because “it sets up an unreliable standard for evaluation” (pg. Naremore). Films and the stories they are derived from cannot be compared because of how different …show more content…

Irving’s version of Ichabod depicts him as a stereotypical archetype similar to that of “the city slicker.” (pg. Greg slickre.) He is both self-assured and educated, which causes him to feel like he is superior to the townspeople. It is also shown that his main goal in life is only self-advancement. His greediness and discontent in his social position causes him to pursue a spot in a more upper class family, the Van Tassels. Additionally, Ichabod can be considered suggestible because of his steadfast belief in the supernatural and ghosts. However, by the end of the story, the main character is not considered the hero since the Headless Horseman got him. In the movie, Ichabod is almost the complete opposite. Although he is intellectually superior to the townspeople with his aptitude in science, he doesn’t consider himself worthier than the others. His belief in the supernatural also differs since he shows that he believes more in what can be proven. This is due to the fact that his backstory and his mother’s murder goes into more depth, whereas the original character has no story or personality. Furthermore, Ichabod in the cinematic version goes through a character development when he goes through a self-exploration. Originally, Ichabod does not believe in the supernatural, but as the story goes in his view of the world changes. Moreover, Ichabod Crane can be …show more content…

In both the screenplay and the short story, Ichabod Crane’s main love interest is Katrina Van Tassel. However, how they met and chose to pursue the damsel differed. In the novel, Ichabod was spurred to pursue Katrina because of her family’s high social standing and immense wealth. The thought that he could rise up in high place in the world entices him. As ..... said, “Romantic desire for him is inextricable from economic desire.” Despite his longing for Katrina, she chooses another man, Brom Jones, over him. Ichabod in film slowly begins to fall in love with her as a person and not because of how wealthy he could become if he married her. By the end of the movie, Katrina has fallen in love with him too, and after solving the mystery that haunted Sleepy Hollow, the pair presumably got married. They went through a lot tonight, and despite her original disinterest, she stays by his side the rest of the movie. In this version, Ichabod’s love for her is built on true attraction and compassion, whereas Ichabod in Irving’s version wants her only for her affluence and prosperity in society. Morver, his relationship with Katrina spurs him to delve more into his emotions and begin believing in the things science can’t explain. He is able to discover more of himself with the help of someone who understands him, so he becomes more alert and in tune with the world. This change in the relationship dynamic with him and Katrina

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