The narrator portrays them as panicky, which suggests that something horrible happened to them in the past.

The narrator portrays them as angry and intolerant, which suggests that someone new might come to town to help them change their ways.

The narrator portrays them as dreamy and superstitious, which suggests that something magical or supernatural might happen later.

The narrator portrays them as evil and frightening, which suggests that something dark and disturbing might happen later.

It reveals that the town is known for creating and promoting fantastic, supernatural stories.

It reveals that the town is fascinated by and known for the headless spectre, who will probably become important later in the story.

It reveals that the town does not understand that many ghosts that haunt their churchyard.

It reveals that the town is anxious to learn about this dominant spirit so that they can figure out how to drive them from their town.

They may have claimed to be logical people before, but they soon reveal their true superstitions after living in Sleepy Hollow.

They may have been very logical people before moving to Sleepy Hollow, but they soon become superstitious and imaginative after living there for a little while.

They may have been superstitious before, but they soon discover that they were never as superstitious as the townspeople of Sleepy Hollow.

They may have thought that they were different from the townspeople, but by living in Sleepy Hollow they realize that they were always like the townspeople.

"Some say that the place was bewitched by a High German doctor, during the early days of the settlement..."

"The whole neighborhood abounds with logical tales, haunted spots, and twilight superstitions..."

"The dominant spirit, however, that haunts this enchanted region, and seems to be commander-in-chief of all the powers of the air, in the apparition pf a figure on horseback without a head."

"It is remarkable that the visionary propensity I have mentioned is not confined to the native inhabitants of the valley, but is unconsciously imbibed by ever one who resides there for a time."

This phrase suggests that the narrator sees Crane's stay in Sleepy Hollow as more permanent than Crane does.

This phrase suggests that the narrator does not understand Crane's motives for staying in Sleepy Hollow.

This phrase suggests that the narrator is confused by Crane's old-fashioned speech patterns.

This phrase suggests that Crane will be providing his point of view throughout the rest of the story.

Details like "a hill on a windy day" set the scene and suggest that the main action of the story will happen soon.

Details like "some scarecrow eloped" build on the earlier horror imagery and suggests that Crane may have become a victim of Sleepy Hollow's ghost.

Details like "his clothes bagging and fluttering" create a clear image of Crane and suggests that he will become on of Sleepy Hollow Boys.

Details like "see him striding along" portray Crane as confidence and suggest that he will be a heroic character in this story.

The play changes subtle aspects of the setting, like calling the village Tarry Town, put preserves the rest of the setting.

The play emphasizes the quiet, peaceful characteristics of the setting that may have been too subtle in Irving's version.

The play ignores Irving's inclusions of horror and focuses instead of how cheerful and inviting Tarry Town was for Crane.

The play heightens Irving's understated horror elements by opening with "foreboding music," then quickly switching to friendly town life.