The devil and Tom Walker
In "The Devil and Tom Walker" written by Washington Irving, there are many important themes present in the story that relate to choices we all could make and the consequences we could regret. Greed and material wealth do not truly satisfy a person's life. Not thinking through choices that last for eternity can cause a lifetime of regret and Tom Walker is a great example of someone who's life is ruined by his bad choices In this, the consequence of choosing greed ruins man's life and what becomes of him after he dies. When Walker first meets the devil and is offered wealth and fortune, he only declines that offer because he doesn't want to share with his horrible wife. But when he is again faced with the devils o
The sad part of this story is by the time he fully understands that his choices were wrong it was to late. He learns that his behavior has penalties and to not make promises he can't follow later on in life. Tom Walker lives and dies with the consequences of his choices. Even when a friend faces him in a time of need he doesn't change from his greedy ways and offer compassion but instead he challenged to Devil to take him "if I have made a farthing!" (187) Tom Walker is then taken to hell on a black horse and all his riches burned up. But as time goes on "Tom had a lurking dread that the devil after all, would have his due" (187). Becoming pious without compassion or kindness does not change the heart and even though he attends church and tries to change his life, he is still greedy at the end and can't give up anything for a friend in need. He doesn't think about how he will be feeling years from then and what effect it will have on his future. Once he becomes a moneylender in Boston he appears as a friend to people in need, but slowly he squeezes "his customers closer and closer" (186) until they have nothing left. He tries all he can to pull out of his deal by carrying a Bible with him everywhere he goes and attending church. 2Tom Walker also learns not to make uncertain promises. This folk tale teaches us to choose wisely and live without regret or we will suffer the same end. In the forest when the devil offers him what seems like a great deal, he doesn't think that he will "regret on the bargain he had made with his black friend"(186) when he nears the end of his life. Tom does exactly that when he sells his soul to the devil. ffer, he takes it with little regard for consequences and seems to have no regrets because he was "not a man to stick at trifles where money was in view" (183).
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