Tom Walker

In Washington Irving's short story "The Devil and Tom Walker," Tom Walker is depicted as a miserly, cynical man who is hardened by his dire financial circumstances and a tumultuous relationship with his wife. Living a life of constant bickering with his equally greedy wife, Tom maintains a cold, unapologetic view of the world. This cynicism serves him well when he encounters the devil in the swamp, as he meets the dark figure without fear, regarding nothing as potentially worse than his wife. Despite the ominous nature of his interactions with the devil, Tom is driven by ambition and greed, ultimately making a perilous deal that leads to his doom. (Read extended character analysis of Tom Walker.)

Old Scratch

Old Scratch, the devil incarnate in "The Devil and Tom Walker," is the embodiment of moral corruption and sin. He manipulates Tom Walker's avarice, setting the story's events in motion. The devil is vividly described as a "great black man," with a face obscured by soot and dirt, adorned with a red sash, and wielding a large axe. His presence is marked by wild black hair and piercing red eyes. Using Tom's ambition, Old Scratch orchestrates the downfall of his soul for his own nefarious purposes. (Read extended character analysis of Old Scratch.)

Tom Walker’s Wife

Tom Walker's wife is a central catalyst in the narrative, characterized as a domineering and abrasive "termagant." Her fierce temper and miserly nature mirror Tom's own, and their relationship is fraught with mutual greed. Her abusive demeanor, both verbally and physically, further sours their marriage. Driven by avarice, she attempts to persuade Tom to make a pact with the devil to retrieve Kidd’s treasure, but when Tom refuses, she takes matters into her own hands, visiting the devil herself. Her ambition and disregard for potential spiritual peril lead to her demise.

In her quest, she gathers the household valuables, primarily silverware, to offer to the devil, but the endeavor results in her death. Various accounts of her demise suggest a fierce struggle with the devil, evidenced by hoof prints and clumps of hair near the scene. Tom finds her apron hanging in a tree, containing her heart and liver rather than the wealth he hoped for, revealing his profound lack of affection. Instead of mourning, Tom expresses sympathy for the devil, assuming it had a difficult time dealing with her obstinacy.

Her actions inadvertently facilitate Tom's dealings with the devil, as her greed and nagging drive him to act contrary to her wishes, ultimately leading him to Old Scratch of his own volition. Her demise is a pivotal moment that liberates Tom and nudges him towards his fateful agreement.

Captain Kidd

Captain Kidd, or Kidd the Pirate, is a legendary figure whose buried treasure becomes the object of Tom Walker's wife’s and subsequently Tom's pursuit. This treasure lies hidden in a grove of oaks above a swamp near Boston, Massachusetts. The devil had overseen its burial and has guarded it since Kidd’s execution for piracy. Tom’s dealings with the devil eventually lead him to claim this treasure, setting the course for his tragic downfall.

Absalom Crowninshield

Absalom Crowninshield is depicted as a wealthy colonist who amassed his riches through buccaneering. His corrupt nature is symbolized by a tree in the devil's swamp, marked by the devil and ready for burning, signifying his impending death and damnation. His eventual demise serves as a confirmation for Tom that the devil holds sway over the fate and afterlife of society’s corrupt elite. Crowninshield's fate warns of the ultimate justice awaiting the morally bankrupt.

Deacon Peabody

Deacon Peabody is another wealthy, yet corrupt figure within the colony. His name is inscribed on a tree in the swamp, which is rotten and marked by the devil’s axe. This imagery foreshadows his fate; as the tree falls, Peabody too will face death and eternal punishment for his sins. Peabody's story is a cautionary tale of moral decay and the inevitable divine retribution that follows.

The Unlucky Land-Speculator

The unlucky land-speculator, a client of Tom Walker's, epitomizes the ruinous effects of greed and deception. During a heated argument over financial matters, Tom declares, "Let the devil take me if I have made a farthing!" This claim inadvertently seals his fate, as the devil soon arrives to collect on the unwise boast, whisking Tom away in a twist that surprises no one in the colony, given Tom's unscrupulous dealings.

Governor Jonathan Belcher

Governor Jonathan Belcher, serving as the governor of Massachusetts during Tom Walker’s rise as a usurer, inadvertently contributes to the story's critical social commentary. His ineffective leadership plunges the colony into economic depression, creating a fertile ground for Tom's exploitative business. As colonists turn to Tom for loans amid the financial crisis, Belcher's mismanagement is underscored as a catalyst for the colony's dependency on Tom's usurious practices.