What is the gender conflict in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"?

The gender conflict in
this story is based around Katrina Van Tassel wanting to do everything she can to keep both of
her suitors hanging on without discouraging either of them. It is significant that it is this
strategy of hers that brings Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones into conflict with each other, as both
vie for her attentions and Brom, because Ichabod refuses to fight him, is forced to resort to
playing a series of practical jokes on Ichabod with hilarious consequences. Katrina seems to be
portrayed as a female who is cast in the mould of a "hard to get" beautiful woman, and
this is something that...