AMERICAN LITERATURE [Publish Date] Satire in the Devil and Tom Walker: Show your understanding: In your own words, define satire and provide a modern-day example: Satire is a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society, by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule. "The swamp was thickly grown with great gloomy pines and hemlocks, some of them ninety feet high, which made it dark at noonday, and a retreat for all the owls." To start, the wife going to make a deal with the Devil is one example of American Romanticism. Dusk is hardest time to see. Some stories involving pacts with the devil end tragically. "The Devil and Tom Walker"This 9-page short story, "The Devil and Tom Walker," by Washington Irving is a great story for students learning about Romanticism and our nation's first author. Tom Walker met devil at dusk. Tom's plight is meant to warn readers not to let greed blind them, for, as is the case in "The Devil and Tom Walker," it can have disastrous consequences. At the editing stage of the draft, its coherence is improved, essential material is added, non-essential is omitted and a smooth transition between the individual parts of the The Devil and Tom Walker essay is ensured. He also shows individualism by refusing to be a slave trader. Tom Walker’s wife is described as “a tall termagant, fierce of temper, loud of tongue, and strong of arm”, creating a clear idea that she is a callous, cruel creature (Irving, 128). Describe the settings of the story. The story takes place in New England in the late 1700’s. Major Inciting Conflict. Tom Walker is known throughout the Charles Bay for his greed, and it is this greed that leads him to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for money. • However, the story's plot is based on a very famous German legend about a man called Faust, who makes a deal with the Devil in order to gain knowledge and wealth. Through their respective texts the author 's portray the Romantic qualities of human nature, the supernatural, and individual freedom in unique ways, but use them to contribute to the intended meaning of the stories. “The Devil and Tom Walker”-Love of Nature - The fact that the treasure is buried in the woods is relating to nature. Washington Irving’s “The Devil and Tom Walker” includes great examples of Romanticism, such as symbols in nature having links to the supernatural, the importance of the inner nature, and the emphasis of the individual. After the character finds his wife’s organs lying in the forest, he decides to complete the pact with the imp and get his hands on the treasure. Ambition (greed) is satirized once again when Tom is described as greedy. “The Devil and Tom Walker” Handbook Theme –A common thread or repeated idea in a literary work Themes in “The Devil and Tom Walker” Greed Hypocrisy Moral Corruption Symbol –Something that represents or suggests something else Key Vocabulary –Words to know at the bottom of each page of the story (15 words) As the land was populated by various groups of European immigrants, a uniquely American culture slowly formed as the traditions of many different groups merged and new traditions, brought on by circumstances, emerged. “The Devil and Tom Walker” Plot Diagram Example Exposition. • SATIRE: lines 276-289: What kind of churchgoer is represented by Tom? Explain your answer and provide evidence from the story. The actions went against the influences and beliefs. It is a challenging nineteenth century text, but it is a great opportunity to review some reading strategies to help students negotiate the text. The couple even goes as far as hiding money from each other. In the story, Tom Walker is a selfish man who cares more about money than he does about anyone else, including his wife. Irving’s moral is clear: “Such was the end of Tom Walker and his ill-gotten wealth. Romanticism was most known for its characteristics that had put a large emphasis on individualism and and emotion. • IMAGERY: lines 341-345: What message do these images suggest about material possessions and those who … Individualism and the desire for money and personal gain led Tom to sell his soul to the devil. Using Tom Walker, ask students to compare his traits before and after he makes his deal with the Devil. What happens to the eyes at that time of day. Which trait typical of the romantic era is featured in Washington Irving’s short story the devil and Tom walker A. 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