Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as."
* "The trees were like gigantic black spectres." (This compares the trees to spooky ghosts.)
* "The leaves were like the flutter of a thousand wings." (This compares the rustling leaves to the flapping of bird wings.)
Metaphor: A direct comparison without using "like" or "as."
* "The wind was a demon that howled through the trees." (The wind is directly compared to a demonic creature.)
* "The valley was a cauldron of darkness." (The valley is compared to a pot used for boiling.)
Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
* "The trees whispered secrets to the wind." (Trees are given the ability to whisper.)
* "The moon peeked through the clouds, casting its pale gaze upon the scene." (The moon is given the human actions of peeking and gazing.)
Hyperbole: An exaggeration for emphasis.
* "Ichabod's heart beat like a drum in his chest." (His heartbeat is exaggerated to convey his fear.)
* "The Headless Horseman was as tall as a house." (The Horseman's size is exaggerated to emphasize his imposing presence.)
Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
* "The Headless Horseman... galloped... ghastly." (The repeated "g" sound creates a haunting effect.)
* "Sleepy Hollow... stories... solemn... soundless." (The repeated "s" sound creates a quiet, mysterious atmosphere.)
Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate the sound they represent.
* "The clatter of hooves on the cobblestones."
* "The creak of the old gate."
Other noteworthy literary devices:
* Symbolism: The Headless Horseman is often interpreted as a symbol of death or fear itself.
* Foreshadowing: Irving uses events and descriptions to hint at the dangers that await Ichabod, such as the ominous atmosphere of Sleepy Hollow.
* Irony: The story uses dramatic irony as the reader knows the Headless Horseman's secret, but Ichabod does not.
These figures of speech and literary devices contribute to the spooky, captivating, and ultimately humorous tone of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." They help readers visualize the setting, characters, and events, and create a lasting impression on the story's themes of superstition, fear, and the power of imagination.