B. Her wealth and status drive Ichabod's ambition, leading to his eventual downfall.
Kartina Van Tassel serves as a symbol of wealth and social status in Sleepy Hollow, and Ichabod's desire to win her affection is deeply intertwined with his ambitions for upward mobility. His motivations are largely influenced by his attraction to her wealth and the social standing that marrying her would provide. This ambition ultimately contributes to his downfall, as it reveals his character flaws and leads him into dangerous situations.