The Life of Washington Irving
Washington Irving was born in 1783 in New York City. He was the youngest of eleven children of a wealthy Scottish immigrant, who had sided with the rebels during the Revolution. Irving was heavily influenced by the literary impressions of his older brother named William and Peter. After Washington graduated from private school in 1789, he refused to get a college education and instead studied law. In 1802-1803 Washington wrote articles and essays for The Morning Chronicle and The Corrector, newspapers in which his brother Peter edited. In 1804-1806 Washington toured through Europe due to his health and his curiosity to further his education. During that time he often collected stories and materials that he would later use in his famous stories. Once he returned he passed the bar examination and became a lawyer in 1806. Washington Irving soon lost interest in his career and began to further extend his interest in literature.
Around 1807 Washington Irving worked on a collection of satirical essays with his brothers. Examples of their essays are the Salmagundi, The Whim-Whams and Opinions of Launcelot Langstaff. Washington first began to receive fame with his Diedrich Knickerbocker’s History of New York, which was a satirical book about the history of the Dutch. It also critiqued the Jeffersonian democracy and ridiculed literary history. This was called the first great book of comic literature ever written by an American author. Since then Washington’s beloved died and his brothers business went bankrupt. In order to make a living, Washington was forced to continue his work in literature, specifically his famous book, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon. Irving focused on his book and even studied popular themes. He made an attempt to soften his critique and mockery as well as include elements of romanticism and sentimentalism. Because his book was very successful both in Europe and America, it caused Europeans to show more respect for American literature for the first time in history.
Washington Irving resumed his travels in Europe and continued publishing. Another one of his well known works, Tales of a Traveller contains a collection of essays and short stories. A well known story included in his tales, The Devil and Tom Walker, was written during the rapid growth of the American economy in 1824. Advances in transportation and technology and the growth of cities created a large market for goods. Many goods were available, and people had money to consume them. The Devil and Tom Walker tells the story of an intellectual person who had sold his soul after riches. Although the story is set during an earlier America, Washington exposed the materialism of his own era.
Washington Irving was born in 1783 in New York City. He was the youngest of eleven children of a wealthy Scottish immigrant, who had sided with the rebels during the Revolution. Irving was heavily influenced by the literary impressions of his older brother named William and Peter. After Washington graduated from private school in 1789, he refused to get a college education and instead studied law. In 1802-1803 Washington wrote articles and essays for The Morning Chronicle and The Corrector, newspapers in which his brother Peter edited. In 1804-1806 Washington toured through Europe due to his health and his curiosity to further his education. During that time he often collected stories and materials that he would later use in his famous stories. Once he returned he passed the bar examination and became a lawyer in 1806. Washington Irving soon lost interest in his career and began to further extend his interest in literature.
Around 1807 Washington Irving worked on a collection of satirical essays with his brothers. Examples of their essays are the Salmagundi, The Whim-Whams and Opinions of Launcelot Langstaff. Washington first began to receive fame with his Diedrich Knickerbocker’s History of New York, which was a satirical book about the history of the Dutch. It also critiqued the Jeffersonian democracy and ridiculed literary history. This was called the first great book of comic literature ever written by an American author. Since then Washington’s beloved died and his brothers business went bankrupt. In order to make a living, Washington was forced to continue his work in literature, specifically his famous book, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon. Irving focused on his book and even studied popular themes. He made an attempt to soften his critique and mockery as well as include elements of romanticism and sentimentalism. Because his book was very successful both in Europe and America, it caused Europeans to show more respect for American literature for the first time in history.
Washington Irving resumed his travels in Europe and continued publishing. Another one of his well known works, Tales of a Traveller contains a collection of essays and short stories. A well known story included in his tales, The Devil and Tom Walker, was written during the rapid growth of the American economy in 1824. Advances in transportation and technology and the growth of cities created a large market for goods. Many goods were available, and people had money to consume them. The Devil and Tom Walker tells the story of an intellectual person who had sold his soul after riches. Although the story is set during an earlier America, Washington exposed the materialism of his own era.
The Devil and Tom Walker Summary
The story takes place a few miles from Boston, Massachusetts outside of Charles Bay. The fictional narrator named Geoffrey Crayon informs the reader about the story of Kidd the pirate. Kidd kept his riches hidden near the water’s edge, under big oak trees. Presumably, the devil protected the treasure until Kidd returned to reclaim it. However, Kidd was snatched in Boston and sent to England to and hanged for piracy.
Years later, it was 1727 in England, there lived a man, Tom Walker with his wife. Tom and his wife were constantly bickering, disagreeing and fighting with each other. His wife was a loud mouth, hot head and had a feisty temper. One day Tom had traveled farther down the neighborhood. Upon returning, he decided to take a shortcut through the swamp. This land was known to be an old Indian fort; however, nothing remained from those days. As Tom neared the fort, he took a break and sat down on a oak tree. As he rested, he turned up the soil with his walking staff, and uncovered a skull with an Indian Tomahawk. He kicked the skull, when all of a sudden a voice yells out to stop. The voice came from a black man with red eyes dressed in an Indian gard covered in soot. The man had an axe and sat directly across Tom.
The man appeared angry and asked Tom what he was doing in his land. Tom replied that the land belongs to Deacon Peabody, a wealthy man that made smart bargains with the Indians. The man points at a rotting tree scored with the name Deacon Peabody, and tells Tom that he was ready to burn it. Tom realizes that the tree stomp he sat on also contained a name, Crowninshield. The black man went on to tell Tom that the woodland belongs to him way before white men even set foot on it. He tells Tom that he is known as the wild huntsman, black woodsman, slave dealer and the grandmaster of the Salem witches in different parts of the country. Tom recognizes that he is the man commonly known as Old Scratch.
After the introduction, Old Scratch and Tom converse as the two walk towards Tom’s home. Old Scratch tells him how he had come to protect the treasure, and how only he can find it unless he gives consent for others to find. Old Scratch offers to relocate the treasure so that Tom could find it easily, but only if Tom is willing to make a deal. Tom Walker thinks about the conditions but requests proof that the treasure is real. Old Scratch presses his finger on Tom’s forehead, leaving a black mark, and disappeared.
Tom returns home safely and is notified by his wife that Absalom Crowninshield had past away. He then reluctantly tells his wife of his bargain with Old Scratch. The wife pushes Tom to accept, but Tom as usual refuses to agree with his wife. Angrily Tom’s wife decides to make the deal herself; however, Old Scratch declines her terms. He gives her an offering, and tells her to go home. Later she revisits the swamps with all of their valuables tied up in her apron, yet she never returns. Legend has it that Tom came after her after a few days, but only found a heart and a liver tied up in her apron which hung from a tree. Tom sincerely believes that Old Scratch had helped him by getting rid of his wife.
After some time Tom agrees to Old Scratch’s conditions. Old Scratch wanted Tom to be a slave trader, but Tom refused due to his conscience. Instead Tom proposes that he become a usurer and foreclose properties by granting loans with an extremely high interest rate.They both agree and Tom went off to Boston where he gains popularity. Tom is known as the man who will willingly give money out to anyone in need, but soon he would charge high interest rates and gain more wealth for himself. As Tom gets older, he becomes aware that he has enjoyed many pleasures, but he realizes that he won’t get the same in the next life.
Although Tom made a deal with Old Scratch, he tries to break away from it and fails to meet the requirements. He becomes a church going man and carries a bible with him wherever he goes. Legend has it that because of Tom’s fear of Old Scratch, he buries his horse with its feet in the air, so that he would be able to escape when the world turns upside down.
One day a land-jobber -who Tom had lended money to- came to plead for more time to pay his loan. Even though Tom made a fortune of him, he rejected the man’s plea. Tom said “[t]he devil take me if I have made a farthing” and heard a knock at the door (Irving). Old Scratch took away Tom Walker with his galloping horse, and Tom was never again seen. Trustees arranged to take care of Tom’s wealth, but when they arrived all of the money, bonds, and stocks disappeared. According to the narrator, The Devil and Tom Walker becomes a famous proverb in England.
The story takes place a few miles from Boston, Massachusetts outside of Charles Bay. The fictional narrator named Geoffrey Crayon informs the reader about the story of Kidd the pirate. Kidd kept his riches hidden near the water’s edge, under big oak trees. Presumably, the devil protected the treasure until Kidd returned to reclaim it. However, Kidd was snatched in Boston and sent to England to and hanged for piracy.
Years later, it was 1727 in England, there lived a man, Tom Walker with his wife. Tom and his wife were constantly bickering, disagreeing and fighting with each other. His wife was a loud mouth, hot head and had a feisty temper. One day Tom had traveled farther down the neighborhood. Upon returning, he decided to take a shortcut through the swamp. This land was known to be an old Indian fort; however, nothing remained from those days. As Tom neared the fort, he took a break and sat down on a oak tree. As he rested, he turned up the soil with his walking staff, and uncovered a skull with an Indian Tomahawk. He kicked the skull, when all of a sudden a voice yells out to stop. The voice came from a black man with red eyes dressed in an Indian gard covered in soot. The man had an axe and sat directly across Tom.
The man appeared angry and asked Tom what he was doing in his land. Tom replied that the land belongs to Deacon Peabody, a wealthy man that made smart bargains with the Indians. The man points at a rotting tree scored with the name Deacon Peabody, and tells Tom that he was ready to burn it. Tom realizes that the tree stomp he sat on also contained a name, Crowninshield. The black man went on to tell Tom that the woodland belongs to him way before white men even set foot on it. He tells Tom that he is known as the wild huntsman, black woodsman, slave dealer and the grandmaster of the Salem witches in different parts of the country. Tom recognizes that he is the man commonly known as Old Scratch.
After the introduction, Old Scratch and Tom converse as the two walk towards Tom’s home. Old Scratch tells him how he had come to protect the treasure, and how only he can find it unless he gives consent for others to find. Old Scratch offers to relocate the treasure so that Tom could find it easily, but only if Tom is willing to make a deal. Tom Walker thinks about the conditions but requests proof that the treasure is real. Old Scratch presses his finger on Tom’s forehead, leaving a black mark, and disappeared.
Tom returns home safely and is notified by his wife that Absalom Crowninshield had past away. He then reluctantly tells his wife of his bargain with Old Scratch. The wife pushes Tom to accept, but Tom as usual refuses to agree with his wife. Angrily Tom’s wife decides to make the deal herself; however, Old Scratch declines her terms. He gives her an offering, and tells her to go home. Later she revisits the swamps with all of their valuables tied up in her apron, yet she never returns. Legend has it that Tom came after her after a few days, but only found a heart and a liver tied up in her apron which hung from a tree. Tom sincerely believes that Old Scratch had helped him by getting rid of his wife.
After some time Tom agrees to Old Scratch’s conditions. Old Scratch wanted Tom to be a slave trader, but Tom refused due to his conscience. Instead Tom proposes that he become a usurer and foreclose properties by granting loans with an extremely high interest rate.They both agree and Tom went off to Boston where he gains popularity. Tom is known as the man who will willingly give money out to anyone in need, but soon he would charge high interest rates and gain more wealth for himself. As Tom gets older, he becomes aware that he has enjoyed many pleasures, but he realizes that he won’t get the same in the next life.
Although Tom made a deal with Old Scratch, he tries to break away from it and fails to meet the requirements. He becomes a church going man and carries a bible with him wherever he goes. Legend has it that because of Tom’s fear of Old Scratch, he buries his horse with its feet in the air, so that he would be able to escape when the world turns upside down.
One day a land-jobber -who Tom had lended money to- came to plead for more time to pay his loan. Even though Tom made a fortune of him, he rejected the man’s plea. Tom said “[t]he devil take me if I have made a farthing” and heard a knock at the door (Irving). Old Scratch took away Tom Walker with his galloping horse, and Tom was never again seen. Trustees arranged to take care of Tom’s wealth, but when they arrived all of the money, bonds, and stocks disappeared. According to the narrator, The Devil and Tom Walker becomes a famous proverb in England.
Analysis
- The setting of the story, near a swamp, symbolizes the undesirable atmosphere and moral decay of the time period. People were more interested in their investments and wealth than ever before.
- Old Scratch is the incarnation of the devil, and punishes those who acquired wealth through fraudulent deals and the persecution of others. He lives in the swamps which represent nature as a source of spirituality, a characteristic of Romanticism. This kind of spirituality is associated with the Puritans. They are a religious group in England and saw nature as savage like.
- Evil is represented as black, seen with Old Scratch which reflects the American race problems in the early 1800s. Dark skin was considered inferior to light skinned people, and were traded as slaves.
- The lost of Tom’s wife concerns him less than the valuables that she had taken with her. He values wealth above all and shows how materialistic he really is. When Tom finds out his wife is forever lost, he is glad that he doesn't have to deal with her anymore. This is an example of escapism which is a characteristic of Romanticism.
- During the early 1800s, American businesspeople and landowners became very wealthy due to expansion and rapid growth, but they still seeked more wealth. Tom Walker represents this when he argues with the land-jobber over the issue of his late payment.
- Even though Tom had became a religious man, he still continued his unfair business. His religion was not enough to save him from his deal, and in the end he is punished. This is an example of wisdom from the past, which is another characteristic of Romanticism.
Review Questions With Answers
What is the message of the story?
The message of the story is that even though money can buy you pleasantries, people are still worth more than the value of money. Tom Walker fails to understand this even though he lost his wife and denied to compromise with the land-jobber.
Why was Old Scratch black? How does this reflect the time period this tale was written in?
In the early 1800s slavery was seen a lot in America. Dark skinned people were inferior to white skinned people. Washington Irving represented this with the evil characteristics of Old Scratch.
What is the importance of the death of Absalom Crowninshield?
The death of Absalom Crowninshield hints that Old Scratch is the incarnation of the devil, and punishes those who gain wealth through fraudulent deals.
What is the symbolism behind the setting of this story?
The setting of the story set in Boston, near a swampy land that symbolises the undesirable atmosphere and moral decay of the time period. Such as materialistic people and the decrease of spirituality in religion.
How does Washington Irving satire Tom?
Tom continued his immoral business even though he becomes religious and goes to church. He is a hypocrite, and in result his religion does not save him from the ultimate punishment.
What is the message of the story?
The message of the story is that even though money can buy you pleasantries, people are still worth more than the value of money. Tom Walker fails to understand this even though he lost his wife and denied to compromise with the land-jobber.
Why was Old Scratch black? How does this reflect the time period this tale was written in?
In the early 1800s slavery was seen a lot in America. Dark skinned people were inferior to white skinned people. Washington Irving represented this with the evil characteristics of Old Scratch.
What is the importance of the death of Absalom Crowninshield?
The death of Absalom Crowninshield hints that Old Scratch is the incarnation of the devil, and punishes those who gain wealth through fraudulent deals.
What is the symbolism behind the setting of this story?
The setting of the story set in Boston, near a swampy land that symbolises the undesirable atmosphere and moral decay of the time period. Such as materialistic people and the decrease of spirituality in religion.
How does Washington Irving satire Tom?
Tom continued his immoral business even though he becomes religious and goes to church. He is a hypocrite, and in result his religion does not save him from the ultimate punishment.
Recap Video
https://youtu.be/QRSpMVJ7lcc
External Resources/ The Devil and Tom Walker full story
http://www.biography.com/people/washington-irving-935008
http://montanaacademy.tripod.com/id11.html
http://www.gradesaver.com/author/washington-irving
http://www.pagebypagebooks.com/Washington_Irving/The_Devil_And_Tom_Walker/The_Devil_And_Tom_Walker_
https://youtu.be/QRSpMVJ7lcc
External Resources/ The Devil and Tom Walker full story
http://www.biography.com/people/washington-irving-935008
http://montanaacademy.tripod.com/id11.html
http://www.gradesaver.com/author/washington-irving
http://www.pagebypagebooks.com/Washington_Irving/The_Devil_And_Tom_Walker/The_Devil_And_Tom_Walker_