The Devil and Tom Walker

Front

What is a usurer?

Back

A usurer is a person who lends money at very high rates.

Front

Why is Tom successful at working for the devil?

Back

Tom is successful because he is greedier than the devil.

Front

What happens to Tom at the end of the tale?

Back

The devil carries Tom away on a horse.

Front

What do Tom's green spectacles symbolize?

Back

They symbolize that Tom is greedy and obsessed with wealth.

Front

Who does Irving satirize in the passage about the good people of Boston?

Back

Irving satirizes people who pretend to be good but are really bad.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

How does Tom's character change throughout the story?

Back

Tom starts as a greedy man and becomes more desperate and fearful as he realizes the consequences of his actions.

Front

What role does the setting play in the story?

Back

The setting, particularly the dark and foreboding forest, symbolizes the moral ambiguity and danger of Tom's choices.

Front

What does the devil represent in the story?

Back

The devil represents temptation, greed, and the moral decay of society.

Front

How does Irving use irony in the story?

Back

Irving uses irony to highlight the contrast between Tom's expectations and the reality of his fate.