The Devil and Tom Walker Washington Irving Author

“The Devil and Tom Walker” Washington Irving

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)

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

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”

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.

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