The Devil and Tom Walker Activity Packet

The Devil and Tom Walker Activity Packet

The Devil and Tom Walker – Activity Packet

KEY TERMS:

Stagnant –

Treacherous –

Eminent –

Consecrated –

Persecutions –

Avarice –

Resolute –

Sullen –

Propitiatory –

Haggle –

Obstinate –

Superfluous –

Piety –

Zeal –

Squeamish –

Censurer -

KEY EXAMPLES:

  1. Define folktale. What traits make “The Devil and Tom Walker” a folktale?
  2. Define Romanticism.
  3. Give an example of the supernatural within the story.
  4. Give an example of didactic literature within the story.
  5. Give an example of a theme within the story.
  6. Romantic stories are said to reveal the truth of the human heart. What does this story reveal about human nature and emotions?

SORTING IT OUT – READING GUIDE:

  1. Near what city is the setting?
  2. What bad trait do both Tom Walker and his wife possess? How is this demonstrated by the way they gather eggs?
  3. What evidence is there that Tom and his wife are fighting?
  4. Where does Tom Walker’s shortcut lead him? For what is the area known?
  5. Describe the stranger that Walker meets. Who is he?
  6. Why does the devil say that Deacon Peabody will be damned? What else do we learn Deacon Peabody has done which might be seen as a sin?
  7. What does the tree with Deacon Peabody’s name on it show about him? (How is it used as a symbol of his character?)
  8. After the devil cuts down a tree, what does he do with it? What is that a symbol of?
  9. What offer does the stranger make Walker? Why does Tom Walker refuse the first offer?
  10. When his wife hears Tom’s story, what is her reaction? How does this change Tom’s attitude?
  11. What happens the first time Tom’s wife encounters the devil? What does she take the second time?
  12. What does Tom find when he goes looking for his wife? What is his reaction?
  13. What happens to Walker’s wife?
  14. Identify three of the stories explaining the disappearance of Tom Walker’s wife.
  15. What deal does Tom Walker make with the devil? What is the result of the deal?
  16. What does Walker tell the land jobber who begs him to extend his loan for a few months because Tom already has so much money?
  17. What finally happens to Walker?
  18. What happens to Walker’s riches?
  19. What is the saying or proverb that became popular in New England as a result of the story?

THINK CRITICALLY: In your opinion, could Tom Walker have escaped the consequences of his bargain with Old Scratch? Explain (in 3-4 sentences).

THE WRITER’S STYLE: Writers use a variety of elements to create humor, including ridiculous characters, absurd situations and images, exaggeration, understatement, and situational irony. Write a well-developed paragraph explaining which of these elements make this story humorous? (Cite specific examples from the story.)

LITERARY ANALYSIS—IMAGERY: Before you read the story, you were asked to pay close attention to Irving’s imagery—the descriptive words and phrases a writer uses to re-create sensory experiences. Think of imagery as a multimedia presentation in your mind. The pictures, sounds, physical sensations, and sometimes tastes and smells that you imagine as you read help you interpret what is going on in a story.

ACTIVITY: Identify the imagery in the following passages, and discuss how it supports characterization, plot and/or theme: (This should be completed, drawn, & labeled)

1) the description of the trees marked with the names of men in the colony

2) the description of Tom’s search for his wife in the forest

3) the description of Tom’s house, horses, and carriage

4) the description of Tom’s being carried off by the devil

LITERARY ANALYSIS—NARRATOR: Another interesting element of this story is its omniscient (all-knowing) narrator, who stands outside the action of the story and reports what different characters are thinking.

1) What seems to be the narrator’s attitude toward the events of the story?

2) What does Irving gain by using this type of narrator rather than having Tom relate the events?

CREATIVE ENTRY: Compare people you know (or yourself) to Tom Walker. What are the traits in his personality that perhaps might also be found in someone you know (or yourself)? Have you known someone who has lived on the wild side only to change later in life? Have you known someone who is living that kind of life now with little thought about the consequences? What message would you like to give to that person? What message might you give yourself? What is the moral of this short story and how does this moral apply to all of us?

OR

Create an updated version of the story. This may be in the form of a short story, one-act play, or video.

WRITING A SUMMARY: Summarize Tom’s wfie’s journeys into the forest. Use the summary checklist to help you with your work.

Main Events:

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