The poem tells the story of a young man named Ichabod who falls deeply in love with Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of Baltus Van Tassel, a wealthy farmer. Ichabod's rival for Katrina's affections is Brom Bones, a rough and boisterous suitor. Ichabod attends a harvest festival at the Van Tassel farm, where he meets Katrina and becomes smitten with her. However, his chances with Katrina are threatened when Brom Bones appears on the scene, causing Ichabod to become increasingly anxious and jealous. As the night wears on, Ichabod's anxiety reaches a boiling point, and he is eventually chased away by a mysterious figure in a horseman's cloak. The next morning, Ichabod is nowhere to be found, and it is assumed that he has been spirited away by the Headless Horseman, a legendary ghost who is said to haunt the area. The poem ends with Brom Bones claiming that he was the one who chased Ichabod away, but it is left ambiguous whether this is actually true or just a ruse to cover up his own guilt.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1855 · Genre: Poetry, Political Commentary, Historical Reflection