“The Devil and Tom Walker”

1. “The Devil and Tom Walker” Washington Irving

2. Author: Washington Irving(1783- 1859) • First American writer to achieve international reputation • Used pseudonyms and published anonymously • Patriotism was questioned because he spent much of his time abroad • P.240

3. “The Devil and Tom Walker” • Irving reshaped a German folk tale about a man who sells his soul to the Devil for earthly gain • His adaptation of the story was timely in New England during the 1720s when the Puritan belief of devoting one’s life to God was being replaced by materialism and the desire for personal gain

4. Third-Person Omniscient Point of View • All-knowing narrator relates the events of the story • Stories told using this perspective have the following characteristics: • A narrator who stands outside the action • Details about the thoughts and feelings of all the characters • The narrator’s commentary about the events of the story What is the third-person omniscient narrator telling the reader about Tom and his wife in this quote? “Her [Tom’s wife] voice was often heard in wordy warfare with her husband; and his face sometimes showed signs that their conflicts were not confined to words”

5. Characterization • Characterization reveals the personality traits of his characters • Direct characterization- narrator tells the reader what the character is like • Ex: The patient boy and quiet girl were both at the game. • Indirect characterization- personality traits are revealed through the speech, thoughts, and actions of the characters • Ex: The man woke from his cold bed on the park bench and pulled his soiled shirt off his empty belly.

6. Activity • Watch the “trailer” for this short story • Read pages 242-252 • Complete worksheet on “The Devil and Tom Walker”