Washington Irving’s “The Devil and Tom Walker”
Tummillo-Brumfield
Name _____________________________________
Pre-reading questions:
1. Listen to (and read along with) Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil Went Down to
Georgia” and respond in writing to the following prompts.
a. Summarize the events of Johnny and his meeting with the devil.
b. Provide a possible moral (lesson learned) for this story.
2. Conjure the image of the devil in your mind and respond in writing to the following
prompts.
a. Describe what you think the devil looks like. Be sure to use ample detail and
descriptive language.
b. Sketch what you think the devil looks like.
Washington Irving’s “The Devil and Tom Walker”
Tummillo-Brumfield
c. Is your image of the devil based on anything you have read, seen, or
experienced any other way? In other words, has anything (movie/song/ TV
show/etc…) influenced your perception of what the devil looks and acts like?
3. Say you were given the opportunity to “sell your soul” to the devil…
a. What would be the one thing you would ask for?
b. Would this be an easy decision or something you would struggle with?
c. Do you think that you would ultimately regret this decision (later in life)?
Washington Irving’s “The Devil and Tom Walker”
Tummillo-Brumfield
“The Devil and Tom Walker” Comprehension Questions
1.
Describe the settings of the story:
a. Tom’s home:
b. Indian fort:
c. Boston:
2.
Describe the devil. How does he differ from our traditional perception?
3.
Describe the trees that surround the Indian fort. What do they symbolize?
4.
What is the devil’s signature?
5.
Why doesn’t Tom accept the devil’s offer immediately?
Washington Irving’s “The Devil and Tom Walker”
Tummillo-Brumfield
6.
What does Tom’s wife do after he talks to her about the devil’s offer?
7.
Ultimately, what happens to Tom’s wife?
8.
What does the devil want Tom to do for the money? Why won’t he do it? What does he
finally agree to do?
9.
What do the following symbolize?
a. Old Scratch:
b. Tom:
c. Boston:
d. The Bible:
e. Indian Fort:
10. What
are possible themes for this story? (theme = universal idea)