What is satirized in The Devil and Tom Walker?
Irving uses satire to not only show that characters are morally backwards but also to add humor to the story. For example, Tom’s loveless, hostile marriage to his wife both satirizes the institution of marriage and provides humor in the despicable nature of both characters.
What does Tom find when he goes looking for his wife?
Tom’s wife disappears into the swamp and when Tom goes to look for her he finds her apron and inside the pockets were a liver and a heart.
What does the stranger have to say about Deacon Peabody?
“Old Scratch” implies that Deacon Peabody will be damned unless he examines his own sins. “Deacon Peabody be d——d,” said the stranger, “as I flatter myself he will be, if he does not look more to his own sins and less to his neighbor’s…”
What are the themes of the Devil and Tom Walker?
The main themes in “The Devil and Tom Walker” are greed, corruption, and misery.
- Greed: Tom’s greed is his downfall, and his repentance at the end of the story does not change his fate.
- Corruption: As soon as Tom accepts Old Scratch’s deal, he spends the rest of his life miserable and alone, corrupted by his greed.
What do you learn about Tom based on his reaction to the loss of his wife?
What do you learn about Tom, based on his reaction to the loss of his wife? He ultimately sells his soul. I think he deserved this fate because he didn’t have to sell his soul to the devil. He could have easily said no but he let his greed control his life and made his own decision.
Who is Deacon Peabody in The Devil and Tom Walker?
The earthly owner of the swamp where Tom Walker meets Old Scratch, Deacon Peabody is more truly the devil’s property himself, hypocritically scrutinizing his neighbors’ sins and overlooking his own as he does.
What do you suppose were Deacon Peabody’s sins after your answer cite a line from the story that supports your opinion?
5. What, do you suppose, were Deacon Peabody’s sins? After your answer, cite a line from the story that supports your opinion. His sins were the taking advantage of the Indians.
What happens in The Devil and Tom Walker?
“The Devil and Tom Walker” is a short story by Washington Irving about a miserly man who makes a deal with the devil. Tom Walker meets the devil, who offers him a bargain: he’ll give Tom a buried treasure on one condition—presumably, that Tom give the devil his soul. Tom declines, to spite his greedy wife.
Why is Tom not afraid of the devil?
Tom is stubborn, not easily intimidated, and has a bossy wife, so he does not fear the Devil. Most people would be nervous walking through woods that people say are haunted.
What does the heart and liver symbolize in The Devil and Tom Walker?
Walker is a fearless, abusive, termagant. Her two main sins are wrath and lust. She had her liver and heart ripped by the devil and was snatched to hell. Yes, heart represents emotion, life, and love.
What does the tree with Deacon Peabody’s name?
What does the tree with Deacon Peabody’s name on it show about him? It shows he rotten to core. After the devil cuts down a tree, what does he do with it? burns it- symbolizes burning in hell.
What is the job that is too distasteful for even Tom Walker?
Slave trading is the sin that’s too distasteful for Tom.
How does the devil play hard to get?
In “The Devil and Tom Walker,” the devil plays hard to get by avoiding meeting with Tom once Tom has decided to sell his soul in exchange for Pirate Kidd’s treasure.
What are symbols in The Devil and Tom Walker?
The Devil and Tom Walker – Emblems / Symbols: The Devil = evil, temptation, and the road to hell. The Swamp = the shorcut full of “pits and quagmires,” in other words this is a trap. Trees=look good on the outside, but rotten at the core. Chopped wood=ready to be burned.
How does Tom try to avoid fulfilling his end of the bargain?
How does tom try to avoid fulfilling his end of this bargain? Tom becomes zealously religious and keeps one bible in his coat pocket and another on his desk. Tom becomes a “violent churchgoer.” Does he really change? He continues cold-bloodedly making money by lending at high rates and foreclosing mortgages.
How does Tom feel about the devil after this incident?
He feels like the devil helped him by killing his wife because she used to abuse him. How does Tom feel about the devil after this incident? The money found through his means should be employed in his service.