The Supernatural In Washington Irving's The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow

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Romantic literature can have many characteristics. One of these characteristics is the interest in the supernatural. According to Frederick Burwick, the reason this was a trend was because the supernatural was an opening to examine the “fears, and longings… beneath consciousness.” Many examples of this trend can be found in Washington Irving “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” One example is when Irving was describing Sleepy Hollow. He states, that some believed that Sleepy Hollow “was bewitched by a… doctor.” This is an example because the whole neighborhood was surrounded with “twilight superstitions.” Many of these superstitions probably had a perfect explanation. However, the doubts beneath the consciousness allowed for them to think otherwise.