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

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The Devil and Tom Walker

In "The Devil and Tom Walker," the house symbolizes decay and moral corruption, reflecting Tom's and his wife's greed. The swamp represents the murky, treacherous path of moral compromise. Darkness...

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The Devil and Tom Walker

Tom Walker enters the swampy forest as a shortcut on his way home, a decision that symbolizes his moral corruption and desire for worldly gain. The swamp represents the corrupting temptations of...

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The Devil and Tom Walker

The description of the swamp and Tom's shortcut in "The Devil and Tom Walker" foreshadows Old Scratch's appearance by establishing a bleak, eerie setting. The swamp, filled with dark pines and...

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