The Devil and Tom Walker Group

Question:

fulla
fulla
Student
College - Freshman

Why is the treasure of Kidd the Pirate significant to the story "The Devil and Tom Walker"?

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Posted by fulla on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 12:52 PM and tagged with kidd the pirate, the devil and tom walker, theme.

Answers:

  1. srodgers1029
    srodgers1029 Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Irving's story begins with the legend of Kidd's treasure to provide a feasible explanation to the Devil's access to money to fund Tom's usury business.  Irving tells us that

    . . . the Devil presided at the hiding of the money, and took it under his guardianship; but this it is well known he always does with buried treasure, particularly when it has been ill-gotten.

    Beginning the story in this fashion also lends an automatic air of mystery to the story and prepares the reader for the fantastic tale that is to follow.  It should be no surprise to the reader that when Tom takes a shortcut through the swamp--the same swamp, presumably, where Kidd buried his treasure--that he meets the Devil there. 

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/devil-tom

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    Posted by srodgers1029 on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 1:23 PM