illustrated outline of a person's head with a red thumbprint on the forehead with an outline of the devil behind

The Devil and Tom Walker

by Washington Irving

Start Free Trial

The Devil and Tom Walker Questions on Tom Walker's Wife

The Devil and Tom Walker Study Tools

Take a quiz Ask a question Start an essay

The Devil and Tom Walker

Washington Irving's "The Devil and Tom Walker" employs humor through satire, irony, and exaggeration to critique human greed and hypocrisy. The story highlights Tom Walker's miserly nature and his...

36 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

Tom Walker is depicted as miserly, greedy, and morally corrupt, willing to make a deal with the devil for wealth. His wife shares similar traits, being equally greedy and selfish, but she is also...

4 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

Mrs. Walker's two main sins are greed and wrath. Her disappearance after meeting the devil may signify the consequences of her sinful nature. The left-behind heart and liver, found by Tom, could...

2 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

Mrs. Walker is driven by greed and a desire for wealth, which ultimately leads to her tragic end. Her emotions are marked by frustration and anger over her husband's refusal to make a deal with the...

3 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

The Walkers' home in "The Devil and Tom Walker" reflects their miserly and contentious personalities. The house is described as forlorn and dilapidated, mirroring their lack of warmth and moral...

3 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

In the second paragraph, adjectives like "meagre" and "miserly" describe both Tom and his wife, highlighting their greed and lack of wealth. Tom's wife is further depicted as a "tall termagant,"...

1 educator answer

The Devil and Tom Walker

In "The Devil and Tom Walker," one might predict that Tom Walker would make a deal with the devil for wealth, given his and his wife's miserly nature. However, it's surprising when Tom initially...

2 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

The quoted sentence characterizes Tom's wife as argumentative and physically abusive. She comes across as as cruel, violent, and extremely prone to conflict.

1 educator answer

The Devil and Tom Walker

Tom Walker's wife in "The Devil and Tom Walker" symbolizes greed through her miserly behavior and desire for wealth. She is depicted as unable to share even basic things with her husband and is...

2 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

Irving critiques human nature by satirizing greed, selfishness, and impulsiveness through Tom Walker and his wife. Their stinginess and lack of empathy highlight these flaws; Tom's indifference to...

1 educator answer

The Devil and Tom Walker

The irony in the Devil's battle with Tom's wife lies in her fierce determination and stinginess, which make her a formidable opponent even for the Devil. Despite her reputation for being overbearing...

1 educator answer