Washington Irving

1
Washington Irving

• Pages 126-136

2
1. List three facts about the early life and
profession of Washington Irving.

• He was named after George Washington.
• He casually practiced law.
• He first established a literary reputation in
  England.

3
2. Give the title and a brief description of the
subject of Irvings substantial work.

• A History of New Yorkby Diedrich Knickerbocker
  a burlesque of American history that deflates
  heroic events and mocks great men

4
3. Why does Tom Walker refuse the devils first
offer?

• Because his wife wanted him to accept it

5
4. Identify three of the stories explaining the
disappearance of Tom Walkers wife.

• She lost her way in the swamp and fell into a
  pit.
• She ran off with the household booty.
• She was decayed into a quagmire.

6
5. In their second meeting, what bargain does
Tom Walker strike with the devil?

• That Tom should become a usurer

7
6. As Tom Walker grows older, what precautions
does he take to cheat the devil out of the
conditions of that bargain?

• He always carried a small Bible in his coat and
  kept a larger one on his desk.

8
In literature, the devil has taken on many
different forms. What details of Irvings
description of the devil (page 130, column 1,
last paragraph) fit the image of the New World?
What details are more in keeping with tradition?

• New World dressed in half-Indian clothing has
  coarse black hair
• Traditional Shadowy wears red sash

9
8. Which of Irvings works has been called the
worlds most popular short story?

• Rip Van Winkle

10
9. What is identified in the first three
paragraphs of The Devil and Tom Walker?

• The setting of the story
• An established time of the story
• The traits of the two main characters

11
10. Identify three character traits of Tom which
are identified in the opening paragraph.

• Miserly
• Argumentative
• Dishonest and sly

12
11. What does the narrator mean when he calls
Toms wife a termagant?

• She is miserly, strong-willed, and suspicious.
• Termagant violent, turbulent, and brawling woman

13
12. When does the devil enter the story?

• When Tom discovers a human skull

14
13. What is Toms first reaction to the devil?

• surprise

15
14. What does Tom call the devil?

• Old Scratch
• Other names
• Wild huntsman
• Black miner
• Black woodsman

16
15. How does Tom feel after his wifes
disappearance?

• Anxious

17
What is the tone used by Irving in describing
Mrs. Walkers absence?

• Matter-of-fact (Not sad, not curious)

18
16. How does Tom become wealthy in Boston?

• Money is scarce business is bad so he becomes a
  moneylender who charges high interest

19
How is Toms business in Boston as a moneylender
viewed?

• Ethically deplorable

20
17. How does Tom view the devil as the story
ends?

• Anxiously Tom becomes old and fearful and is a
  religious bigot (hypocrite)

21
18. What is the storys duration?

• Many years

22
19. Even though he becomes a churchgoer, what
does Tom never attempt to do?

• Reform his own character
• Repent

23
20. When the devil comes for Tom, what three
events have occurred or are about to occur?

• Tom has remarked The devil take me
• A thunderstorm approaches
• Tom forgets his Bible

24
21. Why are the people of Boston not particularly
upset by Toms disappearance?

• The are well acquainted with the devil
• They owe him money.

25
22. How does the narrator refer to the sources of
his story?

• Familiar legends
• Widely believed stories
• Old wives tales