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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which city is close to the setting of "The Devil and Tom Walker"?

2. What does the devil have all over his skin?

3. Who is said to have been present when the treasure was buried?

4. Why does it take Tom a long time to get through the swamp?

5. What news does Tom's wife have for him when he returns from the swamp?

Short Essay Questions

1. What things does the devil say he supervises on earth?

2. What do Tom and the devil negotiate about before striking a bargain, and what is the bargain they strike?

3. Before Tom and the devil part, how does the devil seal his side of the bargain and what does this allude to?

4. How does Tom treat his horses, and what does this illustrate about his character?

5. What does Tom's wife do as a result of his refusal to make a deal with the devil, and what is the outcome?

6. What implicit racism is there in the description of the fort that once stood in the swamp?

7. What is the implication of the conversation between the devil and Tom about the ownership of the swamp land?

8. What is similar about Tom's fancy house and his religious behavior?

9. Explain how Tom develops into a religious hypocrite.

10. What does Tom do with his money and what does it show about his personality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does this short story seem to suggest about the religious atmosphere of Puritan New England? Write an essay with a thesis that takes into the consideration both positive and negative aspects of the religious life of the story's characters. Be sure to offer textual support for your claims.

Essay Topic 2

What is the implicit point of view about women that this story offers? Consider the descriptions and actions of Tom's wife, the devil's treatment of Tom's wife, and the narrator's comments about women. Be sure to offer textual support for your claims.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the story, Irving mentions a large number of professions. Write an essay in which you explain the pattern behind Irving's treatment of these professions. Which seem to be most openly condemned, which seem to be criticized by implication, and which seem to escape criticism entirely--if any? Be sure to offer textual support for your claims.

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