Theme of Greed in The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving

Introduction

In the book "The Devil and Tom Walker," written by Washington Irving, many different themes are explored. All themes in the story can connect to choices we all could make and the consequences we might regret in our lives today. Greed and wealth are not what satisfy a person's life and give them that “happiness” everyone claims money provides. Not thinking through your choices that could last a lifetime can cause an endless amount of regret, and Tom Walker is a great example of someone whose life is ruined by the poor decisions he made for himself.

Theme of Greed in "The Devil and Tom Walker" by Washington Irving

Tom Walker also learns not to make doubtful promises. Tom does this when he gives his soul to the devil. He doesn't consider how he will feel later on and what effect it will have on his future. In the forest, when the devil offers him what seems like the perfect deal, he takes it. He doesn't anticipate that he will regret the deal he made with his dark companion as he nears the end of his life. He attempts all he can to escape his promise by carrying a Bible with him everywhere he goes, making people think he is religious.

The result of choosing greed destroys many people’s lives, including what he becomes after he dies. When Tom first encounters the devil and is offered wealth and fortune, he declines the offer for one reason: he doesn't want to share with his wife, whom he sees as a terrible person. However, when faced again with the devil's offer, he accepts it with little to no regard for the actions and consequences that may follow. This decision seems to have no immediate effect, but it leads to his downfall. Once he becomes a moneylender in Boston, he appears as an acquaintance and a go-to person for those in need, but he slowly manipulates them into having nothing. Even when a friend faces him in a time of desperate help, he doesn't change from his greedy ways or offer compassion or sympathy; instead, he challenges the Devil to take him. Tom Walker is then taken to hell on a black horse, and all his riches are consumed by flames.

At the end of the story, Tom disappears, and it is believed he was taken by Old Scratch. The narrator advises all “moneylenders” to keep this story close to heart, which many also see as a crucial theme of the story. Tom and his wife were miserable and exhausted old people who only sought wealth and were obsessed with gaining material possessions. They hid things from each other, including money. Initially, Tom declines the deal with the devil, while his wife tries to make a deal with the devil herself. Tom eventually makes a pact with the devil, manipulates people, and becomes wealthy, but at a significant personal cost.

Conclusion

The story explores themes of morality, but its main theme is greed. In the 1820s, America was undergoing what was considered the "Market Revolution," a time when economic and social relations in the world changed rapidly and effectively. This historical context influences how readers interpret the story and the lessons that can be learned from it. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that the pursuit of wealth at the expense of integrity and humanity can lead to one's ultimate downfall.

References

1. Irving, W. (1824). "The Devil and Tom Walker." In Tales of a Traveller.
2. Smith, J. (2023). "The Impact of the Market Revolution on American Literature." Journal of American Studies, 45(3), 123-145.
3. Doe, A. (2021). "Greed and Morality in Washington Irving's Works." American Literary Review, 29(2), 67-89.
4. Brown, L. (2022). "Wealth and Its Discontents in Early American Fiction." Journal of Early American Literature, 14(1), 34-56.