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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. When the narrator says that Tom has built his house out of ostentation, what does this mean Tom's motive was?
2. What is the second thing that Tom does in an attempt to escape his bargain?
3. What is the rumor in town about Absalom Crowninshield?
4. What does the narrator compare Tom's clients to?
5. What is one source of trouble in Tom Walker's marriage?
Short Essay Questions
1. Describe the setting where Tom meets the devil.
2. What is the significance of the devil's comment about Absalom Crowninshield's tree being ready to burn?
3. How does the narrator add to the credibility of the story by mentioning the various possible fates of Tom's wife?
4. The devil lists several of his own nicknames for Tom; what pattern can be seen in these names, and what is its significance?
5. What does Tom do with his money and what does it show about his personality?
6. What does Tom believe happened to his wife, and why, and how does he feel about it?
7. Describe the appearance of the devil in this story.
8. What natural event happens in the area in 1727, and what is its thematic significance?
9. What implicit racism is there in the description of the fort that once stood in the swamp?
10. What are some of the details of the plants and animals in the swamp, and what do they signify?
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
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 3
When Tom finally asks, aloud, for the devil to come and take him, it is seemingly an accident, just some poorly chosen words. Write an essay in which you defend the idea that actually, these words are a perfect encapsulation of Tom Walker's behavior throughout his life. Be sure to offer textual support for your claims.
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This section contains 1,041 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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