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," characters exhibit attitudes reflecting greed and moral corruption. Tom Walker's willingness to bargain with the devil highlights his avarice and lack of integrity. His...

9 educator answers

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

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...

3 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

"The Devil and Tom Walker" teaches that unrestrained greed and malice lead to misery and downfall. Tom Walker's insatiable greed drives him to make a pact with the devil, gaining wealth through cruel...

7 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

Tom Walker's house is described as forlorn and starving, reflecting the miserly and isolated nature of its occupants. It stands alone with a few barren trees and never has a fire in the hearth,...

4 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

Washington Irving Americanizes "The Devil and Tom Walker" by setting it in New England and incorporating American folklore elements like the legend of Captain Kidd's treasure. Thematically, the story...

6 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

Kidd the Pirate is significant in "The Devil and Tom Walker" as his buried treasure symbolizes greed and moral corruption. The story mentions that Kidd's treasure is hidden under a gigantic tree in a...

2 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

A usurer is someone who lends money at interest. After selling his soul to the devil, that's precisely what Tom becomes. He amasses an enormous fortune by lending money to the people of the town, but...

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

Washington Irving's "The Devil and Tom Walker" serves as a cautionary tale highlighting the dangers of greed and the moral pitfalls of valuing wealth above all else. Aimed at a broad audience, the...

6 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

A thesis statement is not a statement of fact. It is an argument that you intend to prove through the rest of your essay or paper. Choose something that you feel passionately about regarding this...

2 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

Tom initially refuses the Devil's deal primarily due to his resentment towards his wife, who has caused him significant distress. Although tempted by the wealth of Kidd the pirate, Tom's desire to...

1 educator answer

The Devil and Tom Walker

In Irving's description of land speculation, the metaphor "fever" represents the widespread greed and irrational drive to achieve quick wealth, likening it to a contagious sickness. The "patients"...

1 educator answer

The Devil and Tom Walker

"The Devil and Tom Walker" by Washington Irving explores themes of greed, moral corruption, and the transient nature of material wealth. The transformations in the story, such as wealth turning to...

4 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

If Tom's wife had successfully made a deal with the devil, she might have initially gained what she desired, similar to Tom's eventual fate. However, the story suggests she attempted to bargain but...

2 educator answers

The Devil and Tom Walker

The central struggle in "The Devil and Tom Walker" revolves around Tom's greed. Despite witnessing the consequences of avarice through his wife's demise, Tom pursues wealth offered by the Devil. His...

1 educator answer

The Devil and Tom Walker

In "The Devil and Tom Walker," Tom Walker makes a deal with the Devil for wealth, ultimately leading to his moral and spiritual downfall. The story explores themes of greed, corruption, and the...

2 educator answers