Flashcard: The Devil and Tom Walker

Front

What is the main theme of 'The Devil and Tom Walker'?

Back

The main theme is the consequences of greed and the moral implications of making deals with the devil.

Front

Define 'avarice'.

Back

Avarice is an extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

Front

How does Tom Walker's character change throughout the story?

Back

Tom Walker starts as a greedy man who makes a deal with the devil, but he becomes increasingly desperate and fearful as he realizes the consequences of his actions.

Front

What does the forest symbolize in 'The Devil and Tom Walker'?

Back

The forest symbolizes the unknown, temptation, and the moral wilderness that Tom enters when he makes his deal with the devil.

Front

What is the significance of Tom's wife in the story?

Back

Tom's wife represents greed and materialism; her fate serves as a warning about the dangers of avarice.

Front

What does the devil represent in the story?

Back

The devil represents temptation, moral corruption, and the consequences of one's choices.

Front

How does Irving use irony in 'The Devil and Tom Walker'?

Back

Irving uses irony to highlight the contradictions in Tom's character and the outcomes of his greed.

Front

What is the mood created by the description of Tom's countinghouse?

Back

The mood is threatening, reflecting Tom's moral decay and the impending consequences of his actions.

Front

What lesson can be learned from Tom Walker's fate?

Back

The lesson is that greed leads to one's downfall and that making deals without considering the consequences can have dire results.

Front

What does Tom's eventual fate reveal about his character?

Back

Tom's fate reveals that his greed and selfishness ultimately lead to his destruction.