One of the most
interesting things about is the way that the lines between the
supernatural and the realistic are continually blurred; in fact, the ambiguity created by the
storys events is partially responsible for the popularity of the tale long after its original
publication. If we examine the descriptions of the supernatural in relation to how they are
juxtaposed against the realistic, then we can better understand how sometimes the supernatural
and natural are conflated with each other so that it becomes impossible to tell what is
real.
In the storys second paragraph we are led to believe that Sleepy Hollow
has a supernatural history. It is described as having a drowsy, dreamy influence [that] seems
to hang over the land, and to pervade the very . By relating the place to a dream, Irving
connects the landscape -- that which is palpable and can be perceived -- to that of dreams,
which are abstract and surreal. He then says, Some say that the place was bewitched by a high
German doctor, during the early days of the settlement; others, that an old Indian chief, the
prophet or wizard of his tribe, held his powwows there €¦ Irving uses the more realistic figure
of a doctor but gives him supernatural powers to bewitch, and then he refers to a Native
American chief, a realistic figure, as a wizard. By mixing the realistic with unrealistic
descriptions, Irving skillfully portrays different sides of a conversation to say that no one is
really certain of the history, and thus, no one really knows what is responsible for the many
alleged supernatural events. One thing is for sure though: this mixture of the uncertain and the
realistic creates an environment very receptive to belief in the supernatural. As Irving tells
us, The whole neighborhood abounds with local tales, haunted spots, and twilight superstitions
€¦
In the next paragraph, he describes the legend of the headless horseman, a
being of uncertain origins: It is said by some €¦ but we are never told who. Later in the
paragraph he discusses the most authentic historians of those parts, who have been careful in
collecting and collating the floating facts concerning this specter€¦Thus, Irving again mixes
what sounds like pure superstition -- the vague discussion of some -- with the more credible
source of authentic historians. At this point, the reader cannot really believe or dismiss the
horsemans existence -- regardless of their beliefs in the supernatural.
Of
course, there is the storyswhere Ichabod Crane encounters the headless horseman and was
horror-struck, on perceiving that he was headless! €“ but his horror was still more increased,
on observing that the head, which should have rested on his shoulders, was carried before him on
the pommel of the saddle €¦ As Ichabod flees in terror, his horse is described as possessed
with a demon. This seems to directly evidence the supernatural, but many would argue that these
were either the imaginings of a man alone late at night or an excuse made up to explain why he
truly left the village, which had to do with a failed romance and extreme
embarrassment.
The end of the story is similar to the beginning. Because the
truth is not actually known, it becomes mixed with conjecture and speculation that contributes
to superstitious beliefs. The old country wives, however, who are the best judges of these
matters, maintain to this day that Ichabod was spirited away by supernatural means; and it is a
favorite story often told about the neighborhood round the winter evening fire. By giving
credence to the old country wives who conceivably have no real authority and by saying that it
is a favorite story [my italics] Irving suggests that sometimes
entertainment is more fascinating than truth. He goes on to say that The school-house being
deserted, soon fell to decay, and was reported to be haunted by the ghost of the unfortunate
pedagogue €¦ which further suggests that many superstitions may be due to a lack of education.
However, since we are unclear who witnessed the haunting and since we are left with no evidence
aside from this brief mention, once again the line between fact andis uncertain and the
supernatural may or may not be present.
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