1. “The Devil and Tom Walker”

2. Do Now
What skill or item do you desire so badly that you would sell your soul to the devil?

3. One of the themes in “The Devil and Tom Walker” is greed
You have just proven that this theme is still relevant today

4. D & TW Quiz answers
What is the setting of the story? (time, place, what is going on in society that may influence the story?)
Describe the character whom Tom encounters.
Where is Tom when he encounters the character?
What has Tom done differently this day that may have caused this meeting?
What time of day is it?
Based on what you know about the beliefs of the Puritans, who or what is the character?

5. Do Now
In what way might a banker today respond to Irving’s suggestion that moneylenders are greedy?

6. Discussion questions
1. In what way does the omniscient third-person narrator add to your understanding of the story?

7. Discussion questions
2. What 3 things do we learn from Tom through direct characterization?

8. Discussion questions
3. What do you learn about the relationship between Tom and his wife through indirect characterization?

9. Discussion questions
4. What inferences can you draw about the cultural attitudes of New Englanders during the 1720’s, especially in the area of religion?

10. Discussion questions
5. What does the Devil offer Tom Walker?

11. Discussion questions
6. What factors contribute to Tom’s initial refusal of the Devil’s offer?

12. Discussion questions
7. What agreement does Tom ultimately make with the Devil?

13. Discussion questions
8. As the story progresses, why do you think Tom begins to go to church and carry a Bible around with him at all times?

14. Discussion questions
9. What does Tom do to cause the narrator to call him a “violent churchgoer”?

15. Discussion questions
10. In what ways is Tom’s approach to religion similar to his approach to financial dealings?

16. Discussion questions
11. What kind of people do you think Tom and his wife are?

17. Discussion questions
12. How do you feel about Tom’s fate at the end of the story? Would you have felt more sympathy for Tom if he had sold his soul for something other than money?

18. Modern Retelling Outline plot of original story
Draft or write the parts of the story from your outline.
Finish writing your portion at home
Make sure you have all parts of the plot modernized:
Conflict: a struggle between protagonist and another person, force, etc.
Ex: Tom is presented an offer and contemplates whether or not to accept

19. Modern Retelling
Rising Action: events that make conflict more interesting and suspenseful
Climax: conflict is resolved because protagonist takes action to end the conflict.
Falling Action: events that occur after the conflict has ended
Resolution: end of the story

20. Discussion questions
1. In what way does the omniscient third-person narrator add to your understanding of the story?
We learn thoughts about the characters that we wouldn’t know otherwise such as:
Tom: hates his wife
Wife: loves money
Devil: lies and manipulates people

21. Discussion questions Tom is greedy, selfish, crafty
2. What 3 things do we learn from Tom through direct characterization?
Tom is greedy, selfish, crafty
3. What do you learn about the relationship between Tom and his wife through indirect characterization?
They are not happy. They fight frequently.

22. Discussion questions
4. What inferences can you draw about the cultural attitudes of New Englanders during the 1720’s, especially in the area of religion?
They are proud of their faith and religious beliefs. They saw wealth as a connection to the Devil.

23. Discussion questions 5. What does the Devil offer Tom Walker?
He offers Tom the pirate’s treasure.

24. Discussion questions
6. What factors contribute to Tom’s initial refusal of the Devil’s offer?
The conditions are hard (doesn’t want to sell his soul), and Tom wants time to consider them, and he doesn’t want to make his wife happy.

25. Discussion questions
7. What agreement does Tom ultimately make with the Devil?
Tom agrees to sell his soul in exchange for the pirate’s treasure to use it as a moneylender or usurer.

26. Discussion questions
8. As the story progresses, why do you think Tom begins to go to church and carry a Bible around with him at all times?
He regrets his decision and hopes his religious zeal will keep the Devil away.

27. Discussion questions
9. What does Tom do to cause the narrator to call him a “violent churchgoer”?
He prays loudly, goes to church often, and is physical during the sermons.

28. Discussion questions
10. In what ways is Tom’s approach to religion similar to his approach to financial dealings?
He is stern supervisor of the religious activity of his neighbors in the same way he harasses his debtors.

29. Discussion questions
11. What kind of people do you think Tom and his wife are?
They were selfish, mean, greedy, self- serving and callous.

30. Discussion questions
12. How do you feel about Tom’s fate at the end of the story? Would you have felt more sympathy for Tom if he had sold his soul for something other than money?
Opinions will vary, but most students agree that they would feel more sorry for Tom if he sold his soul for something worthwhile.