Tom Walker - Tom Walker is a miserly and bitter man who lives an impoverished life with his equally greedy and abusive wife. He encounters the Devil in a swamp and makes a deal to acquire the buried treasure of the pirate Captain Kidd in exchange for his soul. Tom becomes a wealthy moneylender and usurer in Boston, but ultimately meets a dark fate when the Devil comes to collect his due.

Tom's Wife - Tom's wife is an ill-tempered and miserly woman who constantly fights with Tom over money and possessions. When she learns of the Devil's offer of treasure, she insists Tom accept the deal against his wishes. She later seeks out the Devil herself but is killed in the process, with only her heart and liver remaining in her apron.

Old Scratch/The Devil - The Devil appears in the guise of a dark, sooty figure with red eyes and a red sash, carrying an axe. He is also referred to as Old Scratch. He tempts Tom with the promise of Captain Kidd's buried treasure in exchange for his soul. The Devil represents the moral dangers of greed and corruption.

Captain Kidd - Captain Kidd was a notorious pirate rumored to have buried his ill-gotten treasure in a swamp outside Boston before being hanged. The Devil presides over this buried treasure, which becomes the object of Tom's deal with the Devil.

Geoffrey Crayon - The story's narrator, Geoffrey Crayon relates the tale of Tom Walker's dealings with the Devil, presenting it as a local legend and folktale.

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Greed and Materialism
One of the central themes is the dangers of insatiable greed and pursuit of wealth at the expense of morality. Tom Walker sells his soul to the devil for pirate treasure, becoming a miserly moneylender who exploits others. Irving uses Tom as an allegorical figure to condemn the corrupting influence of unchecked greed and materialism.

Puritanism and Religious Hypocrisy
Set in Puritan New England, the story satirizes the hypocrisy and spiritual decay lurking beneath the outward piety of Puritan society. Tom pretends to be a religious man while engaging in the most immoral behavior, highlighting the gap between Puritan ideals and reality.

Folktales and Oral Tradition
Irving draws from German folktales like Faust as well as local New England folklore and legends. The story is framed as an oft-repeated tale passed down over generations, giving it the quality of an oral folktale or moral fable.

Emerging American Identity
Published in 1824, the story reflects the early 19th century period when American literature was developing a distinct voice and grappling with defining a national identity separate from European influences. Irving's use of New England setting and folktales represents an attempt to create a uniquely American literary tradition.

Racial Attitudes
The devil is portrayed in a racist manner as a menacing black man, reflecting the pervasive racial prejudices and acceptance of slavery in early 19th century America. Irving's depiction exemplifies the deep-seated racism of the time period.

In summary, "The Devil and Tom Walker" explores themes of greed, hypocrisy, oral storytelling traditions, and the emerging American literary identity, while also providing insight into the racial attitudes and Puritan legacy of early 19th century New England society.

Developed by Perplexity AI