| Described as the "dominant spirit" of the | | | | However, our main character repossesses the |
| enchanted Sleepy Hollow region, the Headless | | | | spotlight with his dancing. |
| Horseman of Sleepy Hollow is the legend that | | | | Later on, the tales of legends and ghosts begin. |
| forms the title of this story. The legend itself is | | | | The story-telling soon centres on the galloping |
| the subject of speculation. However, it is generally | | | | Hessian of Sleepy Hollow. The intimidating |
| thought to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper, | | | | anecdotes have a profound effect on Ichabod |
| beheaded by a cannon ball. This spectre roams at | | | | Crane. When the story-telling ended, Ichabod |
| nice, spotted at various points in the valley. The | | | | lingered to have an intimate conversation with his |
| assumption is that he looks for his head before | | | | love interest - Katrina. This somehow does not go |
| returning to his burial spot before dawn. | | | | according to plan. |
| With the backdrop of the story well-laid out, the | | | | Ichabod proceeds to leave the Van Tassel's |
| main character, Ichabod Crane is introduced. A | | | | mansion, feeling rather despondent. He begins his |
| native of Connecticut is he, who happens to have | | | | journey home. The stories that he had |
| a gangly, awkward appearance, which matches | | | | incorporated into his current thoughts continue to |
| that of the bird that bears his surname. Ichabod is | | | | play on his mind at the beginning of his lonely trip. |
| the new schoolmaster. He is painted as a strict | | | | Ichabod soon encounters and enormous tulip tree- |
| disciplinarian who is indiscriminate with his | | | | the site of many ghost stories. Wary of the |
| disciplinary method - the birch. | | | | sights and sounds of the night, he makes his way |
| The author firmly establishes Mr. Crane as popular | | | | to the brook. There his horse, old Gunpowder, |
| with the female circle in Sleepy Hollow, by virtue | | | | has difficulty crossing. In the "dark shadow of the |
| of his erudite appearance and perceived superior | | | | grove", Ichabod "beheld something huge, |
| tastes. He is inclined to swap tales with the Dutch | | | | misshapen and towering". The silent figure, a |
| wives. They would speak of the galloping headless | | | | horseman of large dimension, does not respond to |
| horseman and he would respond with his own | | | | Ichabod's queries. |
| ghoulish tales. These tales have an effect on | | | | When Ichabod quickens his pace, the horseman |
| Ichabod when it is time for him to trek home at | | | | does likewise. Ichabod's slows Gunpowder to a |
| night. The author establishes his propensity to | | | | walk, hoping to let him pass. The horseman slows |
| imagine all sorts of shapes and figures at these | | | | his horse to a walk as well. When Ichabod finally |
| moments. | | | | perceives that the horseman is headless, he tries |
| Ichabod's peripheral musical talent lead him to | | | | to flee. The horseman remains in pursuit. A |
| meet another central figure in this story. Enter | | | | protracted chase ensues. At the end of this |
| Katrina Van Tassel. At a youthful 18 years of | | | | chase, the horseman hurls the pumpkin head at |
| age, she captured Ichabod's imagination. Being the | | | | Ichabod. |
| daughter of a wealthy farmer didn't dim her glow | | | | In the morning, Ichabod is nowhere to be seen. |
| in Mr. Crane's eyes either. By virtue of this, | | | | There is evidence of the chase and signs of |
| Katrina had numerous other admirers who kept a | | | | Ichabod's adventure, however. There is some |
| fierce eye on the competition. Competing for | | | | speculation of his disappearance, but ultimately no |
| Katrina's attention is Brom Van Brunt, | | | | one pays heed too much, on account of Ichabod's |
| appropriately nicknamed Brom Bones. He is | | | | being a lonely bachelor. It is thought that the |
| described as a dexterous horseman and | | | | galloping Hessian rode away with Ichabod. Some |
| mischievous soul. As both vie for Katrina's | | | | time later, a farmer returns from New York with |
| attention, a subtle feud and rivalry begins | | | | news that Ichabod Crane is alive. |
| between them. Ichabod is careful to avoid | | | | The cause of his disappearance from Sleepy |
| confrontation with Brom due to size disparities. | | | | Hollow is more mundane. Fear of the goblin, Han |
| Brom Bones and his gang begin to harass Ichabod | | | | Van Ripper's wrath and his sudden dismissal by |
| indirectly, using small acts of vandalism and | | | | Katrina are the trinity of reasons for his |
| mischief to that end. This went on for some time, | | | | disappearance. Brom Bones bears a knowing look |
| without having any "material effect". The next | | | | when stories of Ichabod are retold. Even though |
| major event is Ichabod's invitation to a frolic at | | | | the farmer accounted for Ichabod's current |
| the Van Tassel's. Ichabod is primed for this and | | | | industry, the old wives prefer to relate tales of |
| even borrows a horse to impress. The | | | | Ichabod being carried off by the headless |
| redoubtable Brom Bones makes a grander | | | | horseman. |
| entrance on his favourite steed, Daredevil. | | | | |