Read this excerpt from “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and then answer the questions that follow. It [the tree] was connected wit
h the tragical story of the unfortunate André, who had been taken prisoner hard by; and was universally known by the name of Major André's tree. The common people regarded it with a mixture of respect and superstition, partly out of sympathy for the fate of its ill-starred namesake, and partly from the tales of strange sights and doleful lamentations told concerning it. As Ichabod approached this fearful tree, he began to whistle; he thought his whistle was answered–it was but a blast sweeping sharply through the dry branches. As he approached a little nearer, he thought he saw something white, hanging in the midst of the tree–he paused and ceased whistling; but on looking more narrowly, perceived that it was a place where the tree had been scathed by lightning, and the white wood laid bare. Suddenly he heard a groan–his teeth chattered and his knees smote against the saddle: it was but the rubbing of one huge bough upon another, as they were swayed about by the breeze. Part A How is the setting used in this excerpt characteristic of the gothic style?
The setting that is used in this excerpt exemplifies the gothic style because the passage has a clear medieval tone used that can be understood by the reader to portray gothic values and morals. Upon further exploration of the text, it can be understood that the speaker or author meant for this passage to be seen in a darker light than most literature was portrayed during that time period.
