AGT - Second Story

American Gothic Tales

Second Story:
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow 
by Washington Irving

Let me first start out with a brief description of a tale that most of you should know already. This story was first published in 1820 but was said to have been set circa 1790 in a Dutch settlement of Tarry Town (known as Tarrytown, New York). The setting is sometime in Autumn and revolves around a small glen called Sleepy Hollow. The main character, Ichabod Crane is a tall and lanky school teacher from Connecticut and is quite superstitious. The town has many ghost stories but Ichabod is particularly interested in one about a headless horseman galloping the woods towards a church cemetery where it is said to hold his head.

Everyone can always relate to the chills of a good ghost story and this is where The Legend of Sleepy Hollow transcends the date in which it was written. What I liked so much about Ichabod was his delight at being scared, almost like a guilty pleasure. Most will agree that a "good scare" gives you quite the adrenaline rush, therefore releasing endorphin into the brain. I've always loved a good endorphin high and that "good scare" is a great way to obtain it without having to go jump out of a plane or off a cliff. I've found myself seeking out scary places (any haunted spots I could find) to obtain that rush. I believe this addiction to the supernatural is one I share with Mr. Crane.

Another thing I really enjoyed, was the use of analogies Irving uses. I was particularly fond of his reference to Ichabod's spirit and form, pliability and perseverance in nature as supple-jack (a climbing plant that has a tough and pliable stem). The image of this is truly clever, endearing and made me laugh. The story is riddled with such clever analogies and it made the story fun to read. Not only does the Author use these great analogies but his writing style flows with poetic words, put so well together as to place yourself within Sleepy Hollow not wanting to return. However, a downside to the story would be that the descriptions of the environments and settings were drawn out and sometimes a bit overly descriptive (at least for my taste).

I'll leave you with this one question.... Was Ichabod Crane met with the terrible fate of the headless horseman or was it foul play from his rival? I'm inclined to believe it was foul play which to me seems more sinister to me than a ghost.... but Irving leaves this for you to decide yourself. Oh, I do love a good open ending.

Introduction to American Gothic Tales

American Gothic Tales

Hello fellow readers! My next reading conquest will be "American Gothic Tales" edited and with an introduction by Joyce Carol Oates. This compilation of various stories includes writers; Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allen Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Shirley Jackson, Ray Bradbury, Anne Rice and so many more. I've always been fascinated with gothic and macabre tales, so surely this can't disappoint. I shall start this new reviewing blog with a review for each story in the collection and then an overall rating of the entire thing as a finale. I hope you enjoy.

First Story:
From Wieland, or The Transformation 
by Charles Brockden Brown

What is this story about? It isn't a story, but a piece (chapter) from a larger book. The piece selected is about a man confessing, at his trial, to murdering his wife and kids. The whole chapter has him ranting about how he was told by a voice to kill them, he claimed this voice to be his savior. This book was first published in 1798. With that in mind, it goes to show you that twisted and psychotic people existed that long ago, as well as today. Reading it the first time around wasn't enough, it caught me off guard and I got lost in all the ramblings. Second time through, it gave me the chill through my bones that I'm sure it was meant to give. I'm almost tempted to put the entire book on my to-read list, even though it seems like a book you couldn't rush through but wade in thick mud.