There are many aspects that can make or break someone as a "hero". In literature, a hero doesn't necessarily have to be a knight in shining armor, a caped crusader, or an exact replica of the archetype, but there are certain qualities and expectations that determine what makes a hero. A typical hero has strength, charm, courage, righteousness, and success, which means he has the physical and mental abilities that can ultimately lead him to achieve his goals. In most cases the protagonist of a story is the hero, but this is not true in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving. Set in Sleepy Hollow, the story chronicles the time and sudden disappearance of schoolmaster Ichabod Crane from the "haunted" town. Ostensibly the "good guy" and hero of the story, it is evident that Ichabod is a man with many flaws that undermine this superficial assumption. Ichabod's lanky, bird-like physique is the first indication that he's not cut out to be the triumphant hero. Faced with danger, a hero stands courageously while Ichabod retreats from mythical tales and superstitions. Likewise, simply being morally upright is called into question by Ichabod's overwhelming greed. The affirmation of his lack of heroism is the conclusion of the story in which Ichabod's overactive imagination was so prevalent that it clouded his sense of reality and caused his downfall and failure. In "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", Ichabod Crane is shown as an anti-hero through his simple physical description, cowardice, greed, and ultimately destructive imagination, which completely contradict the traits that make a true hero. Ichabod Crane's physical characteristics and those of the "typical hero" are poles apart in comparison...... middle of paper ...... and mostly attributed to being cowardly and greedy. He is afraid of almost everything and excessively wants more than he needs or should. Stories about mundane things like ghosts, witches, and especially the Headless Horseman excite, but ultimately terrify Ichabod. Likewise, the simple rivalry between him and Brom Bones for Katrina Van Tassel's affections causes him to avoid confrontation. His search for Katrina is under false pretenses, in reality he is in search of her immense wealth and prosperity. Finally, Ichabod experiences neither glory nor success, as a hero typically does. He instead faces a downfall where he loses the girl to his rival and basically his life as he knows it due to his overactive imagination, which blinds him from reality. All of these qualities constitute exactly what a hero is not, and that is why Ichabod Crane is an antihero..