The text describes that Ichabod was “the singing master of the neighborhood” which helped him “pick up many bright shillings by instructing the young folks in psalmody.” (3.2) Ichabod would give singing instructions to anyone who was interested. Ichabod’s singing instruction was a major factor throughout the story because he first met Katrina van Tassel at one of his weekly singing instructions. Ichabod was instantly interested in Katrina because of her fortune and well prospered food. Being caught up in Katrina’s values, he gave her personal lessons at her farmhouse. However Brom Bones already had declared Katrina his, so the conflict between Ichabod and Brom grew substantially during his farmhouse visits. Although Ichabod always made sure he was never at the farmhouse when Brom was over, the two were invited to the Van Tassel’s for a “frolic.” Brom pulls the ultimate prank on Ichabod telling him he had met the headless horseman. With this being said, on Ichabod’s trip home from the Tassel’s, he is followed by a figure who throws its head at him. Ichabod disappears, never to be seen …show more content…
He is vastly superior in matters of taste, accomplishments, and education. Explained a few lines later, it became clear that this expansive learning actually consists of little more than having “read several books quite through.”(3.4) However, Irving describes Ichabod’s occupation as, “the schoolmaster is generally a man of some importance in the female circle of a rural neighborhood, being considered a kind of idle, gentlemanlike personage, of vastly superior taste and accomplishments to the rough country swains.”(3.3) Ichabod’s occupation paved the way for Katrina. He cherished sweet sentiments for Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of a farmer, also a maker of pies and doughnuts (Babbitt, John S.). He let his job as a schoolmaster define himself. Meaning, a schoolmaster has a “gentlemanlike personage” so his job should show he is a trusting, respectful individual. He hoped Katrina’s father would see this in him; however, his plan did not work out accordingly. With Ichabod having great confidence with his occupation, it allowed him to gain standing among the women of the neighborhood. This act is essential, for he really has almost nothing to offer a wife. At the same time, it is disappointing that he might actually be inferior only to the parson in his learning. His education is actually quite minuscule, he has very little motivation, and he seems content to