drawing of the headless horseman holding a pumpkin and riding a horse through the woods

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

by Washington Irving

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Student Question

What words would you use to describe Ichabod Crane?

Quick answer:

Ichabod Crane can be described as a teacher and singing master by profession. Physically, he is tall, skinny, thin, awkward, and emaciated, with a nerdy appearance. His personality traits include being effeminate, weak, cowardly, envious, greedy, gluttonous, and prideful. Ichabod is a "yes" man, easily frightened despite his interest in spooky tales, and lacks high moral standards. He is slothful, working mainly out of necessity rather than ambition.

Expert Answers

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You could use words that describe what Ichabod actually does for a living. 

  • Teacher
  • Educator
  • Singing master

You could also use words that describe what he looks like.  The text indicates that Ichabod Crane is most definitely not a handsome hunk of a man, so don't be overly flattering.  

  • Tall
  • Skinny
  • Thin
  • Nerdy
  • Emaciated
  • Awkward

You could also use words to describe his personality.  For this one too, don't pick words that are overly flattering.  Ichabod is a pushover of a man.  He's afraid of just about everything, despite his love of spooky stories.  On top of that, he doesn't exactly have high moral standards.  Here are some words that I would associate with his personality.

  • Effeminate
  • Weak
  • Slothful (he does work a lot, but that's because he needs money.  If he didn't need the money, Ichabod wouldn't do anything)
  • Greedy
  • Gluttonous
  • Prideful 
  • He is a "yes" man
  • Cowardly
  • Envious

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