Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is 'The Devil in Tom Walker'?
What is 'The Devil in Tom Walker'?
- A poem
- A play
- Irving's first short story (correct)
- A novel
Who was Washington Irving named after?
Who was Washington Irving named after?
President George Washington
What was Washington Irving known for?
What was Washington Irving known for?
American fictional writer to earn international acclaim
What does satire mean?
What does satire mean?
What satirical work did Washington Irving write?
What satirical work did Washington Irving write?
What theme is 'The Devil and Tom Walker' based on?
What theme is 'The Devil and Tom Walker' based on?
What is the moral of the story?
What is the moral of the story?
What does Tom's desire for material wealth lead him to do?
What does Tom's desire for material wealth lead him to do?
What is a universal theme found in the story?
What is a universal theme found in the story?
What does Tom's lack of reverence and faith lead him to believe?
What does Tom's lack of reverence and faith lead him to believe?
What does the second universal theme suggest?
What does the second universal theme suggest?
What is a stereotype in literature?
What is a stereotype in literature?
What does the character Tom represent?
What does the character Tom represent?
What character does Tom's wife represent?
What character does Tom's wife represent?
What do both Tom and his wife represent?
What do both Tom and his wife represent?
What does it mean when characters are described as flat?
What does it mean when characters are described as flat?
What does static refer to in character development?
What does static refer to in character development?
What does round mean in character development?
What does round mean in character development?
What does dynamic refer to in character development?
What does dynamic refer to in character development?
What is the plot of 'The Devil and Tom Walker'?
What is the plot of 'The Devil and Tom Walker'?
What is the setting of the story?
What is the setting of the story?
What is the typical picture of the devil in the story?
What is the typical picture of the devil in the story?
How does folklore establish a theme in the story?
How does folklore establish a theme in the story?
What elements contribute to a humorous tone in the story?
What elements contribute to a humorous tone in the story?
What folkloric elements are present in the story?
What folkloric elements are present in the story?
What do trees symbolize in the story?
What do trees symbolize in the story?
What do skulls symbolize?
What do skulls symbolize?
What do horses symbolize?
What do horses symbolize?
What does the swamp symbolize?
What does the swamp symbolize?
What does Walker's home symbolize?
What does Walker's home symbolize?
What does fire symbolize?
What does fire symbolize?
Who says, 'Let us get hold of the property...'
Who says, 'Let us get hold of the property...'
What does 'she must have died game' mean?
What does 'she must have died game' mean?
What does 'the devil take me if I have made a farthing' mean?
What does 'the devil take me if I have made a farthing' mean?
What is a farthing?
What is a farthing?
What is significant about the Bible left under the mortgage?
What is significant about the Bible left under the mortgage?
What does abolitionist sentiment suggest?
What does abolitionist sentiment suggest?
How does usury abuse the poor?
How does usury abuse the poor?
What does Old Fort represent?
What does Old Fort represent?
What does the American Dream entail?
What does the American Dream entail?
What literary movement does this short story showcase?
What literary movement does this short story showcase?
What are romantic elements used in the story?
What are romantic elements used in the story?
What does the emphasis on imagination vs reason represent?
What does the emphasis on imagination vs reason represent?
Study Notes
Washington Irving and "The Devil and Tom Walker"
- "The Devil and Tom Walker" is Washington Irving's first short story.
- Irving was named after President George Washington.
- Washington Irving was the first American fictional writer to gain international recognition.
Literary Themes and Morals
- The narrative explores themes of immorality and the destructiveness of greed.
- The moral presents the idea that shortcuts lead to long-term harm.
- Extreme desire for material wealth often leads to sin and moral downfall.
Character Analysis
- Tom Walker represents the typical greedy man pursuing quick riches.
- Tom's wife embodies the stereotype of a cranky, demanding spouse.
- Both characters are stock figures representing common traits in society.
Literary Elements
- Satire is used throughout to critique societal norms and attitudes.
- The story contains humorous elements with fairy tale-like qualities and folklore.
- Symbolism is evident, with trees representing sinners who made deals with the devil.
Symbolism in the Narrative
- Forest setting is mysterious and dark, indicative of danger and moral ambiguity.
- Skulls symbolize foreshadowing of death, highlighting the story's dark themes.
- Horses symbolize societal decay, reflecting the consequences of greed and neglect.
- The swamp illustrates the negative outcomes of choosing evil paths.
- Fire represents destruction and the loss of everything one holds dear.
- Tom's home symbolizes self-care and personal responsibility.
Key Quotes and Their Implications
- "Let us get hold of the property..." reveals Tom's pragmatic approach to life, prioritizing wealth over relationships.
- "She must have died game" indicates Tom's lack of remorse or emotional depth regarding his wife's fate.
- "The devil take me if I have made a farthing" reflects his unscrupulous ways of acquiring wealth.
Historical and Social Context
- Abolitionist sentiment is noted, as even Tom refuses to trade slaves, showcasing moral complexities.
- The narrative critiques usury and the exploitation of the poor.
- The story mocks superstitions surrounding Native Americans, depicting them in a humorous light.
Romanticism and Folklore
- The story embodies elements of Romanticism through its focus on imagination and sentiment.
- Folk tales, legends, and superstitions are woven into the narrative structure.
- Romantic elements emphasize the conflict between imagination and reason.
Influence on the American Dream
- The desire for freedom and prosperity is explored, suggesting it can lead to greed and spiritual enslavement.
- The story exemplifies the pitfalls of unbridled ambition and the quest for wealth, warning against moral compromise.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of Washington Irving's classic short story, 'The Devil and Tom Walker,' with these flashcards. Each card covers key concepts, definitions, and important figures related to the story, making it a great study aid for students seeking to understand its themes and context.
