“THE DEVIL AND TOM WALKER”

BY WASHINGTON IRVING

CHARACTERIZATION

REFERS TO THE METHODS A WRITER USES TO REVEAL THE PERSONALITY OF A CHARACTER.

DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

THE WRITER MAKES EXPLICIT STATEMENTS ABOUT A CHARACTER.

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

THE WRITER REVEALS A CHARACTER THROUGH THE CHARACTER’S WORDS AND ACTIONS AND THROUGH WHAT OTHER CHARACTERS THINK, AND SAY ABOUT THAT CHARACTER.

PREDICTING

IS MAKING AN EDUCATED GUESS ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN A STORY. PREDCITNG HELPS TO ANTICIPATE EVENTS, AND APPRECIATE LESS OBVIOUS PARTS OF A STORY.

SUMMARY

ONE DAY, THE DEVIL OFFERS TOM WALKER A PIRATE’S TREASURE. WHEN TOM’S GREEDY WIFE URGES HIM TO ACCEPT THE DEAL, HE REFUSES OUT OF SPITE.

THE WIFE TRIES TO MAKE HER OWN BARGAIN WITH THE DEVIL, BUT SHE DISAPPEARS. TOM THEN ACCEPTS THE DEVIL’S OFFER AND BECOMES A RICH MONEY-LENDER WHO PREYS ON THOSE IN NEED.

WHEN A BORROWER ASKS TOM FOR AN EXTENSION ON A LOAN, HE REPLIES, “THE DEVIL TAKE ME IF I HAVE MADE A FARTHING.” THE DEVIL WHISKS TOM AWAY, AND HIS RICHES

LITERARY ELEMENT

IN 1695, THE KING OF ENGLAND COMMISSIONED CAPTAIN WILLIAM KIDD TO ARREST ALL PIRATES IN THE EASTERN SEAS. WHEN KIDD ARRIVED AT THE COMORO ISLANDS, HOWEVER, HE JOINED THE PIRATES INSTEAD OF

POWER OF DARKNESS

IRVING’S DESCRIPTIONS REFLECT ROMANTICISM’S INTEREST IN EXOTIC SETTINGS:

IRVING’S DESCRIPTION SHOWS NATURE IN ITS WILDEST, MOST EXOTIC STATE. HIS CHOICE OF AN INDIAN FORT AS A PART OF THE SETTING ALSO REVEALS