Search Societies In Irving's The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow

Great Essays
As the 18th century came to its last years, it granted hope and cheer for futures of men, disregarding class and education. Following that into the 19th century rose a period known as the American Romanticism. The search for individuality became a growing goal for the citizens of America as it removed itself from the British Empire. With independence came the rise of national pride and the popularity of an anti-British doctrine. Especially for American literature, as it progressed and matured through the 19th century, writers endeavor to see what America could contribute in terms of literature. The endeavors of these writers guided them on a search of identity and place in society. When observing the religious aspect of this time, a search …show more content…
The idea of persona being important in order to maintain a “good” class status is fluente in “ The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. The protagonist Ichabod desires the heart of Katrina Van Tassel, but must have the approval of her father, as well as beat the competition. The competition was with Brom Van Brunt who although was not as educated as Ichabod, had a more preferable personality and fiesque. Brom planned well before Ichabod did to marry Katrina. As Katrina and Ichabod became closer, Brom most likely would have been threatened by him and worried about his image. A man with his skills to lose to Ichabod could have both shattered his plans to marry and erased the evolving persona he would have gained. The conclusion the the Headless Horseman had some part in Ichabod's disappearance becomes less likely as the motive of others are observed. Ichabod was trying breaking a tradition of marriage being built on image and power.
The story “Rip Van Winkle” is also set in a place that seems to be built on tradition and persona. Van Winkle before his slumber, has a way of living which he enjoyed. When he woke, his way living or tradition was compromised. His persona, however stayed in tack, was constantly questioned due the political events of the time. The side of politics a person took would dictate their persona more so than and how others would react to

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