Questions: The Devil and Tom Walker

1. What happened to Kidd the pirate and his treasure? He was hanged for piracy His treasure was left buried and lost

2. What is the setting- time and place- of the story? 1720’s An area in New England settled by Puritans and Quakers

3. Describe Tom Walker’s relationship with his wife. Abusive, miserable

4. How do Tom Walker and his wife feel about money? They are misers- very tight with money

5. Where does Tom stop to rest when he takes the shortcut through the swamp? Old Indian Fort

6. Who does Tom meet in the swamp? The devil

7. Describe the devil’s appearance. Dressed in half-Indian garb Dark skin Dirty with Soot Black Hair Ax on his shoulder

8. What is the devil doing when Tom meets him? Chopping down trees that represent prominent men in the area

9. How does the devil introduce himself? What does he say he’s called? What does he say he’s done? He says he goes by many names. He takes credit for Quaker and Anabaptist hangings, grand master of Salem witches, etc.

10. What does Tom call the devil? Old Scratch

11. What deal does the devil offer Tom? Pirate money if he will follow his conditions.

12. What is the devil’s mark? A black, burned thumbprint on his forehead

13. How does Tom’s wife react when he tells her about the offer? She urges him to make the deal.

14. What does Tom’s wife decide to do when he refuses the offer? She goes to make the deal herself.

15. Why does Tom go looking for his wife? She took all of their valuables when she left.

16. What does Tom find tied up in his wife’s apron? A heart and liver

17. What deal does the devil offer Tom now? He will give Tom the money if he uses it to do slave trading.

18. What job does Tom refuse to do? Slave trading

19. What job does Tom accept? Usurer- high-interest money lender

20. Does Tom’s success in business change his attitude toward money? How do we know? No- he still refuses to feed his horses or fix up his house.

21. What does Tom do to protect himself from the devil? He becomes very religious. Points out others’ sins. Carries his bible everywhere.

22. What does Tom say to the poor land jobber that causes the devil to appear? The devil take me if I ever made a penny from you.

23. What happens to Tom at the end of the story? He disappears on the back of a horse with the devil.

24. What happens to all of Tom’s possessions? They are destroyed by fire or disappear.

25. What is the moral or lesson of this story? Money does not buy happiness. Many people lose values in the pursuit of money (greed). Appearing religious or pointing out others’ sins will not keep a person safe from sin.