Name: Brandyn Hill Week #: 1

Golden Line Reading Journal: Notetaker

Requirements: Each notetaker assignment should include THREE “Golden Lines” from your chosen
text(s); this will appear on the left side of your entry, along with the page #. On the right, (1) begin with a
brief explanation, or background information, of what’s happening in the story when the “Golden Line”
was shared (summary). Then, (2) interpret the “Golden Line” and then provide and analysis of your
interpretation, this is where the work becomes a real metacognitive exercise.

Golden Line (page #__________) Background / Summary

“I mention this peaceful spot with all possible laud, for it is in

such little retired Dutch valleys, found here and there
embosomed in the great State of New York, that population,
manners, and customs remain fixed, while the great torrent of
migration and improvement, which is making such incessant
changes in other parts of this restless country, sweeps by them
unobserved.”
Written in 1820, Washington Irving’s Book is written in
a developing period in American history where vast
quantities of people were moving into the country
and/or heading west to settle new territory, in a dream
like mostly Dutch village of Sleepy Hollow seemingly
forgotten by the progress of the world around it, a
school headmaster will attempt to win the heart of a
wealthy local bachelorette, despite his lack of physical
strength, wealth or courage. His rival is a local
prankster and is quite skilled and strong to back it up,
a master of the horse and a local icon.
 Interpretation and analysis

The Narrator seems to be expressing a fondness for some of the ideas of the past for that era. During that time vast
swathes of the populace were moving west and technology was progressing at an ever greater pace, this community
has avoided many of the qualities of these changes that the Narrator seems to dislike. The whole town is filled with
superstition and a sleepy attitude lending to this “backwards” outward appearance but this could be seen as the
typical experience for many approaching new settlements and trying penetrate a new community and it’s own historic
values and traditions.

Grading Criteria: Each Entry will be graded out of 4 based on the following standards-based criteria:

4 3
Reflection shows evidence of
keen and expert observation
of the text and thoughtful
and insightful connections.
Reflection contains a
thoroughly crafted
background summary that
included extensive details,
and ends with a strong and
insightful interpretation and
analysis of the “Golden
Lines”
Reflection is clear and
provides insight.
Reflection contains a
background summary that
includes several key details,
and makes a basic
interpretation with clear
analysis “Golden Lines”
2 1
Reflection is lacking insight
and depth.
Reflection contains minimal
to no background details
which makes it difficult to
understand why the “Golden
Line” is important.
Furthermore, the writer
makes a vague and/or
unclear interpretation with
little analysis of the “Golden
Lines.”
0
Reflections provides little to Assignment was not
no specific details; writing is completed.
unclear, disjointed, and lacks
insight or depth.
Reflection provides little, if
any, background summary.
Connections to the “Golden
Line” are incoherent and are
void of thought.
 Golden Line (page #__________)
“The revenue arising from his school was small, and would have
been scarcely sufficient to furnish him with daily bread, for he
was a huge feeder, and, though lank, had the dilating powers of
an anaconda; but to help out his maintenance, he was, according
to country custom in those parts, boarded and lodged at the
houses of the farmers whose children he instructed.”
Background / Summary
Written in 1820, Washington Irving’s Book is written in
a developing period in American history where vast
quantities of people were moving into the country
and/or heading west to settle new territory, in a dream
like mostly Dutch village of Sleepy Hollow seemingly
forgotten by the progress of the world around it, a
school headmaster will attempt to win the heart of a
wealthy local bachelorette, despite his lack of physical
strength, wealth or courage. His rival is a local
prankster and is quite skilled and strong to back it up,
a master of the horse and a local icon.
 Interpretation and analysis

This struck me as the one the defining statement regarding Ichabod Crane’s position within the community. He exists
as an outsider that has to subsist himself on the goodwill of a community which he is an outsider to. Despite his
appreciation of the town’s local superstitions and respect for his profession, he does not have a permanent residence
within the village, and had a voracious appetite which may have put off the local people even more.
 Golden Line (page #__________)
“As the enraptured Ichabod fancied all this, and as he rolled his
great green eyes over the fat meadow lands, the rich fields of
wheat, of rye, of buckwheat, and Indian corn, and the orchards
burdened with ruddy fruit, which surrounded the warm
tenement of Van Tassel, his heart yearned after the damsel who
was to inherit these domains, and his imagination expanded with
the idea, how they might be readily turned into cash, and the
money invested in immense tracts of wild land, and shingle
palaces in the wilderness.”
Background / Summary
Written in 1820, Washington Irving’s Book is written in
a developing period in American history where vast
quantities of people were moving into the country
and/or heading west to settle new territory, in a dream
like mostly Dutch village of Sleepy Hollow seemingly
forgotten by the progress of the world around it, a
school headmaster will attempt to win the heart of a
wealthy local bachelorette, despite his lack of physical
strength, wealth or courage. His rival is a local
prankster and is quite skilled and strong to back it up,
a master of the horse and a local icon.
 Interpretation and analysis

This particular line showcases Ichabod Crane’s greed and his desire not particularly for the heart of the young and rich
farmer’s daughter but for her possessions and capital. He intends to use the profits from selling her property to head
west and strike out a different life for himself, far away from this sleepy little village and the competition that it
entailed.