Research Question

[sean78]

How did the social events of the time impact the text of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow?" Specifically, how did the American Revolution, Expansionism, and Puritanism impact this work?

[AuntShecky]

Even though he liked to think that his works had an effect on the political thought of his time,I think Washington Irving, writing as Dietrich Knickerbocker, was most influenced by and enamored with the Dutch culture which was rampant in New York State. It was mainly the Old World culture which influenced "Geoffrey Crayon's"travel writings, as Irving lived in Europe for 17 years. His later works also reflected European culture especially his book about the Alhambra of Spain. Christmas customs in America can be traced back to Irving's description of the holiday in an English country house,Bracebridge Hall.
In a way, Irving was sort of a deTouqueville in reverse.