The Devil and Tom Walker

Washington Irving's "The Devil and Tom Walker" is based on a Germanic story of Johann Faust who was a magician and alchemist who sold his soul to the Devil and in exchange received great powers and wealth. Irving takes on the story of Johann Faust and adapts it to the Puritan society of the 1800’s. Tom Walker, the protagonist of the story, dwells near woods of Charles Bay a few miles from Boston, Massachusetts. Washington …

…better understanding of what is imminent to come ahead of time. Irving clarifies every little aspect of his description with his word choice, which go perfectly with his description of the scene. It is obvious to the reader what Irving is trying to point out and it is easier for the reader to follow in the story when the story is described in deep clarity as in his story of “The Devil and Tom Walker”.