Rather than attempt to dissect the works of a more obscure writer, I decided to turn to the first well-known and widely respected American author, Washington Irving. Washington's story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, is well known among my peers, but I can safely assume that far fewer have bothered to read it. I'm sure most are familiar with the many bootleg movies and cartoons that The Headless Horseman has spawned. They won't worry though, because I'll be exploring this literary classic for your dear, nonchalant MTV generation. At the beginning of the story, in parentheses, it is stated that the story was found among the papers of a certain Dietrich Knickerbocker. Also, at the beginning of Irving's other story, Rip Van Winkle, it says the same thing. I can only wonder what Washington meant when he went out of his way to use a pseudonym for his stories, probably known to be his anyway. Was this to add to the mystical sense of the story? Was this some sort of “Blair Witch Project” BS to add life and mock the authenticity of the tale? Or is he just going after the elitist, old-fashioned Dutch residents of New York? I know the phrase Knickerbocker must have gained some notoriety because it's a popular nickname for a New Yorker and gave birth to a horrible basketball team in desperate need of a new general manager. Irving's story, with its long, rambling paragraphs, is not necessarily easy to read, but it is certainly much more understandable than some of the other things we read in that era. It may be long, but written for the most part, in a clear and intelligent manner, it introduces us to the key elements of our story, its setting, its inhabitants, as well as our advantages and our antagonists. I love his writing and I can see how this story has held up so well over the years, certainly a man before... middle of paper ... and more deeply it shows Enlightenment thinking and a history of great romanticism. Although "Sleepy Hallow" can be considered part of the Enlightenment era, it still retains its Puritan roots. It's a puritanical tale of good over evil, with the kindly school teacher, the evil undead mercenary, and a town bewitched by a German doctor. It contains many Puritan ideals. Both Ichabod Cane and Abraham are hardworking and educated gentlemen. Ichabod is held in great respect for his faith, singing in the church and always lending a helping hand to the townspeople. It's a classic story of brains versus brawn, David and Goliath. I really enjoyed this story and was quite surprised that I hadn't come across it earlier in my English classes. Plus, having read other stories from this era (most of which are very dry with cluttered narration) makes you appreciate this classic all the more..