"The Devil and Tom Walker"

Analyze "The Devil and Tom Walker"! Explore characters, history, symbolism, and theme.

What direct characterization is provided for Tom on pg. 229? On page 229, the narrator says, "About the year 1727, just at the time that earthquakes were prevalent in New England, and shook many tall sinners down upon their knees..." What does this say about the social influences and attitudes of the time? Remember that Irving was somewhat of a satirist, so what occurs in this story may be exaggerated for effect. On pg. 229 the narrator says, "Tom Walker...had a wife as miserly as himself: they were so miserly that they even conspired to cheat each other...many and fierce were the conflicts that took place about what ought to have been common property." What does this say about the social influences and attitudes of this time period? What character trait(s) can we infer based upon Tom's physical description on pg. 230? Provide the text from the story that supports your response and explain it. What is Tom Walker's effect on his horse (see description on pg. 230). What character trait(s) can we infer from this effect? What direct characterization is provided for Tom's wife on pg. 230? On pg. 232, the Devil says, "I amuse myself by presiding at the persecutions of Quakers and Anabaptists; I am the great patron and prompter of slave dealers, and the grandmaster of the Salem witches." What does this indicate about social influences and attitudes of the time period? What traits can we infer that Tom has based upon his thoughts and speech when he finds out that Absalom Crowninshield died on pg. 233? Provide the text to support your response and explain it. What can we infer about Tom's wife when we examine his thoughts about her demise on pg. 235? Provide the text that supports your response and explain it. When considering the actions that Tom takes after his deal with the Devil (pgs. 236-237), what trait(s) can we infer that he has? Provide the text that supports your response and explain it. Consider the conversation that Tom has with the land jobber on pg. 238. What trait(s) can we infer that he has? Provide the text that supports your response and explain it. Consider when the narrator says, "Such was the end of Tom Walker and his ill-gotten wealth. Let all griping money brokers lay this story to heart." Evaluate the social influences and attitudes of the time based on this excerpt. What does Tom symbolically stand for? What does the Devil symbolically stand for? Develop a theme statement for this short story.