answer
Option 1
In his short story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” Washington Irving portrays the rural town of Sleepy Hollow as a symbol of the emerging nation of the United States. The story follows Ichabod Crane, a superstitious school teacher from Connecticut, as he moves to Sleepy Hollow to teach at the local school. The first theme Irving presents is the clash between the old country and the new country. Ichabod is a character that represents the emerging nation, as he is an outsider in Sleepy Hollow. He is constantly at odds with the superstitious beliefs of the people of Sleepy Hollow, and his presence in the town serves to challenge the old world.
The second theme Irving presents is the idea of a social hierarchy. Despite being an outsider, Ichabod is able to gain the attention of the townsfolk, and even the affections of the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel. This presents the idea that the emerging nation will be one of opportunity and social mobility, where hard work and determination can lead to success.
In the historical document, The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson expresses similar themes as Irving. The document expresses the idea that the colonies were an emerging nation. It outlines the grievances of the colonies towards the British government, and expresses the idea that a new nation must separate from the old one. This is in line with Irving’s theme of the clash between the old country and the new country. Jefferson also expresses the idea of social mobility and opportunity. He argues for a nation where “all men are created equal,” and that the government should be “derive[d] from the consent of the governed.” This is similar to Irving’s theme of a social hierarchy and the idea of opportunity and social mobility.
Both Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence present the idea of an emerging nation with themes of the clash between the old country and the new country, and the idea of opportunity and social mobility. Irving and Jefferson both present these themes in different ways, but both are essential in understanding the idea of an emerging nation.