Love Quote by Washington Irving
““But it is meet I should, in the true spirit of romantic story, give some account of the looks and equipments of my hero and his steed. The animal he bestrode was a broken-down plow-horse, that had outlived almost everything but its viciousness. He was gaunt and shagged, with a ewe neck, and ahead like a hammer; his rusty mane and tail were tangled and knotted with burs; one eye had lost its pupil, and was glaring and spectral, but the other had the gleam of a genuine devil in it. Still he must have had fire and mettle in his day, if we may judge from the name he bore of Gunpowder. He had, in fact, been a favorite steed of his master's, the choleric Van Ripper, who was a furious rider, and had infused, very probably, some of his own spirit into the animal; for, old and broken-down as he looked, there was more of the lurking devil in him than in any young filly in the country.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, 1820
The narrator describes a battle, horse, emphasizing its rough appearance yet hinting at hidden strength and spirit inherited from its master.
In simple terms: A broken horse looks fierce and may hold hidden power.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond appearances for inner strength.
Themes
appearance
strength
inheritance
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- storytelling
- character description
- historical fiction
Key Concepts
characterization
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the horse symbolize about its rider?
- How do appearances affect our judgments?
A Different Perspective
Physical decay can mask inner vigor, but may be romanticized.
