logo

23 pages 46 minutes read

Washington Irving

The Devil And Tom Walker

Washington IrvingFiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1824

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“About the year 1727, just at the time that earthquakes were prevalent in New England, and shook many tall sinners down upon their knees, there lived near this place a meagre, miserly fellow, of the name of Tom Walker.”


(Page 220)

This passage near the beginning of the tale transitions from the backstory of Kidd’s treasure to the main action of the plot. By evoking the destruction of the earthquake, it symbolically foreshadows Tom’s moral downfall as well as alluding to the moral corruption and hypocrisy of some Puritans.

Quotation Mark Icon

“Let that skull alone!”


(Page 223)

Old Scratch’s first words to Tom, telling him to put down the skull of a white settler killed with an Indian hatchet. The line establishes Old Scratch’s strident personality and foreshadows Tom’s demise, as his fate will be like that of the settler.

Quotation Mark Icon

“This woodland belonged to me long before one of your white-faced race put foot upon the soil.” 


(Page 224)

An example of irony in the tale, as the devil accuses the White settlers of corruption in seizing the land from the Indians as well as from him. Irving here follows folklore that claimed that some Indians worshipped the devil and killed White settlers in the devil’s name.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 23 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,500+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools