Question

Read this excerpt from “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and then answer the questions that follow. It [the tree] was connected with 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? Part B. Which sentence from the excerpt uses foreshadowing? Part C. What does the foreshadowing in this excerpt most likely indicate?

Answer 1

A. The setting describes a mysterious tree and strange noises. These descriptions reveal an atmosphere of anxiety and fear, which are characteristics of gothic literature.

B.The sentence “Suddenly he heard a groan–his teeth chattered and his knees smote against the saddle. . .” is an instance of foreshadowing in the excerpt.

C.The foreshadowing in this excerpt most likely indicates that someone or something will attack the protagonist, Ichabod.

*from plato

Answer 2

A. One of the characteristics of the gothic writing is that the setting serves as a way of evoking a sense of mystery. More often than not the places in a gothic story have pasts and secrets that may or may not interfere in the narrative. In the excerpt, Ichabod rides through a tree that is associaded with the tragedy of Major André.

B. "Suddenly, he heard a groan-his teeth chattered and his knees smote against the saddle(...)"

C. The foreshadowing in the excerpt probably indicates something frightful that will happen to Ichabod.