Ichabod Crane: The Man and the Movie

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Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is a magnificent short story, with action, superstition, and a little humor all rolled into one. The story of the headless horseman has scared little children of Sleepy Hollow for many years. Then along came Hollywood and decided that Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” needed something more. Hollywood needed a more exciting main character in Ichabod Crane and story line to appeal to the twentieth century. Washington Irving had to write in a way that the reader could visualize Ichabod Crane and how utterly terrified he was of everything, whereas, Hollywood could use its own Jonny Depp to deliver a wonderful performance. Hollywood’s image for Sleepy Hollow needed more action, blood, more superstition, and better looking characters. Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and the movie “Sleepy Hollow” differ on three main points: 1) the story line, 2) the appearance of Ichabod Crane, and 3) the occupation of Ichabod Crane.

Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and the movie “Sleepy Hollow” different story lines. Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” starts with the arrival of Ichabod Crane to fill the position of school master in the township. There lingers in the air a superstitious feeling of the headless horseman. The horseman is a Hessian rider that would take the heads of his victims during battle. Ichaod Crane is met with criticism and practical jokes by the local Sleepy Hollow boys and their leader Brom Bones. Irving describes in his short story that “The neighbors looked upon him with a mixture of awe, admiration, and good-will; and when any madcap prank, or rustic brawl, occurred in the vicinity, always shook their heads, and...

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...asbeth, just in time for the new century. Even with changes to the legend, the movie still delivered a brilliant, exciting story. After reading the short story and watching the movie I appreciated the short story better. Even though the movie is very exciting, bloody, and sexy the short story is more mentally appealing. Washington Irving I believe wanted the reader to have a wonderful but short and to the point adventure. Irving succeeds again to give his readers both intrigue and a mind boggling experience.

Works Cited

Burton, Tim, Scott Rudin, and Francis Coppola F. Sleepy Hollow. Paramount Pictures.

Irving, Washington. "Washington Irving, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."" The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Ed. Paul Lauter. Sixth. Vol. B. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009. 2321-40. Print. 2 vols. The Heath Anthology of American Literature.

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