Study Guide – Washington Irving’s The Devil and Tom Walker

1. After whom was Washington Irving named?

2. Irving was the first American author to achieve what?

3. What career path did Irving plan to follow before deciding to become a writer?

4. In 1809, Irving began publishing under what pen name? What did he publish under this name, and why was it a success?

5. What did Irving do between 1815 and 1832, and what about it led him to publish his two most successful works? Under what pen name did Irving write these two stories, and in what book were they published?

6. Irving’s writings reflect the shift away from Puritan beliefs towards an American interest in what?

7. What is a third-person omniscient point of view?

8. What are two types of characterization mentioned?

9. According to the introduction to the story, Irving’s tale is a variation on what famous tale?

10. Whose treasure is buried in the forest, and who watches over this treasure?

11. What seems to be the only thing that either Tom or his wife are concerned with?

12. What sort of home does the couple have? What does the characterization of the house say

about their marriage?

13. How does Tom’s wife treat him? How does he respond to the way she treats him?

14. How is the forest described? What did the Native Americans do there that foreshadows what will happen to Tom?

15. Who is Deacon Peabody, and what did he do to gain his fortune? Why are the trees with

the names of prominent citizens on them almost chopped down?

16. When the Devil makes himself known to Tom, why does Tom not fear him?

17. What does the Devil want from Tom in exchange for the treasure?

18. When Tom’s wife learns of the deal the Devil offers, what does she want him to do? What happens the first time that Tom’s wife enters the forest?

19. After her second trip into the forest, what happens to Tom’s wife? What does Tom find left of her in the forest? What signs are we shown that the Devil did not have an easy time with her?

20. Tom agrees to the Devil’s demands in exchange for the gold, but what duty does he first

refuse? What duty does he agree to?

21. Once Tom realizes the consequences of his deal with the devil, what steps does he attempt to take to get out of his deal?

22. What finally does Tom in and insures that the Devil collects on his debt? How does the Devil trick Tom?

23. What is the last vision we have of Tom, and what happens once he reaches the forest?

24. After Tom’s disappearance, what do the trustees appointed to settle his estate find he has left behind?

25. What is the rumor/myth the people of the area have about Tom’s ghost?