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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. Part of the story is set in a morass. What kind of location is this?
2. What is the reason the narrator gives for Tom not fearing the devil?
3. What does the narrator say that savin trees symbolize?
4. What is the third thing that Tom does in an attempt to escape his bargain?
5. When the narrator says that Tom has built his house out of ostentation, what does this mean Tom's motive was?
Short Essay Questions
1. What does Tom believe is in the apron, and how does he feel when he sees it?
2. Describe the setting where Tom meets the devil.
3. What is similar about Tom's fancy house and his religious behavior?
4. What two reasons does the narrator give for Tom's fearlessness in the swamp and upon meeting the devil?
5. Before Tom and the devil part, how does the devil seal his side of the bargain and what does this allude to?
6. Explain how Tom develops into a religious hypocrite.
7. What recent events lead to Tom's business being so successful?
8. The devil lists several of his own nicknames for Tom; what pattern can be seen in these names, and what is its significance?
9. What does Tom believe happened to his wife, and why, and how does he feel about it?
10. What becomes of Tom Walker and all of his wealth?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Washington Irving was devoted to the idea of the creation of a specifically American literature, separate from the European literature of the Old World. Write an essay in which you analyze how "The Devil and Tom Walker" fulfills this purpose.
Essay Topic 2
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.
Essay Topic 3
Write an essay in which you explore the casual racism of Irving's short story "The Devil and Daniel Walker." Describe the elements of the story that are racist and explain the irony in this racism, given the stand that Irving takes against the slave trade. Be sure to use quoted textual support for your claims.
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This section contains 986 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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