The Devil and Tom Walker: Comprehension Check

What convinces Tom that what the devil has told him in the swamp is true?

• The disappearance of Tom’s wife

• The discovery of Kidd’s treasure

• Absalom Crowninshield’s death

• Tom’s growing business

The narrator describes the devil’s face as “begrimed with soot, as if he had been accustomed to toil among fires and forges.” Irving most likely chose this imagery because

• he wanted to contrast Tom and the devil

• it increases the dark mood of the scene

• people know this is what the devil looks like

• his readers can identify with a life of toil

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Reread the statement that Tom makes after he finds his wife’s apron. What does Tom’s comment reveal about him? “‘Let us get hold of that property,’ said he consolingly to himself, ‘and we will endeavor to do without the woman.’”

• He hopes the apron will give clues about his wife’s whereabouts.

• He worries about his property more than about his wife.

• He thinks that his wife will come back to him if he finds the apron.

• He wants the devil to run off with his wife and return his property.

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Tom is so successful at working for the devil because Tom

• is greedier than the devil

• is the only moneylender in Boston

• knows a lot about lending money

• is known for his bargain with the devil

Tom and his wife are unhappy because they

• work too much

• fight about money

• have no children

• live in the woods

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Tom begins praying and reading the Bible because he

• wants to escape the devil

• feels bad about cheating people

• finds good friends who love him

• thinks God can give him more money

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What does the devil do to Tom at the end of the tale?

• hides Tom’s wealth in the woods

• encourages Tom’s faith in God

• meets Tom at the church

• carries Tom away on a horse

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In “The Devil and Tom Walker,” why does Tom’s wife go off into the forest with her best silver?

• She hopes to sell it and leave Tom.

• She is taking a gift to a relative.

• She wants to deal with the Devil.

• She plans to trade it for food.

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