About the Author

Washington Irving was an American author, historian, and diplomat born in New
York City in 1783. He is best known for his contributions to American literature,
including classic works such as "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle."
Irving's literary career began in 1802, and he wrote under several pseudonyms, including
Geoffrey Crayon and Diedrich Knickerbocker. He also served as the U.S. minister to
Spain from 1842 to 1846, and his diplomatic work helped to improve relations between
the two countries. Irving is often credited with helping to create a sense of national
identity in the United States through his use of American themes and folklore in his
writing. He is considered one of the most important American writers of the early 19th
century and continues to be widely read and studied today.

Identity Issue in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle”

Washington Irving is one of the most significant writers in American literary

history. His works, particularly "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle,"
capture the essence of American culture and identity. Both tales explore the identity issue
in different ways, and today, together with my colleague Andreea Stîlpeanu, we will
analyze how Irving approaches this issue in his creations.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," written by Washington Irving, is a short story that
explores the issue of identity. The main character, Ichabod Crane, is a schoolteacher who
arrives in Sleepy Hollow, a small town in New York State, and becomes enamored with a
beautiful local girl named Katrina Van Tassel. The story highlights how Ichabod's
identity is shaped by his desire to fit in and be accepted by the community, which
ultimately leads to his downfall.
One of the central themes of the story is the issue of social class and status.
Ichabod is depicted as an outsider in Sleepy Hollow, due to his physical appearance and
lack of wealth. His desire for Katrina is driven by his hope to improve his social standing
and be accepted by the upper class of the town. However, this desire ultimately causes
him to overlook the fact that Katrina may not reciprocate his feelings and instead, is only
interested in his wealth.
Another aspect of Ichabod's identity is his physical appearance, which is
repeatedly described as unattractive. His long nose and protruding ears make him a
subject of ridicule and further fuel his insecurity about his social status. Ichabod's
appearance shapes his identity, as he is constantly reminded of his lack of attractiveness
and how it affects his ability to fit in.
Furthermore, Ichabod's identity is defined by his profession as a schoolteacher.
While he is respected for his intelligence and knowledge, his position as a teacher places
him in a lower social class compared to the wealthy landowners of Sleepy Hollow. This
adds to his insecurity about his social status and drives his desire to be accepted by the
upper class of the town.
On the other hand, "Rip Van Winkle" is a tale about a man who falls asleep in the
mountains and wakes up twenty years later to find that his entire world has changed. The
story explores the issue of identity in the context of change and evolution. Rip Van
Winkle is a man who is resistant to change, and his identity is rooted in his attachment to
the past. His refusal to embrace the changes in his world ultimately leads to his alienation
from the community.
The story of Rip Van Winkle is an allegory for the changing identity of America
in the early 19th century. The country was experiencing rapid growth and development,
and many people were struggling to adapt to these changes. Like Rip Van Winkle, they
were nostalgic for a simpler time, and they found it difficult to reconcile themselves to
the new reality.

In conclusion, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle" are two of
Washington Irving's most famous works, and they explore the issue of identity in
different ways. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" depicts the struggle of an outsider to fit
in and be accepted by society, while "Rip Van Winkle" explores the issue of change and
the resistance to it. Both works are allegories for the evolving identity of America in the
19th century and continue to be relevant today as we grapple with issues of identity and
belonging.