Gothic and Historical Elements in Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”

Abstract

Washington Irving’s short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” still haunts us today 200 years after it was written. Irving incorporated Gothic elements such as ancient and isolated settings, nature, superstitions, and supernatural ambiguity into his short story.  Irving also included historical figures such as the British Major John André  and the headless Hessian soldier.  The author wove elements of the Gothic with historical facts from the American Revolution to create a memorable, uniquely American story.