THE DEVIL AND TOM WALKER

Brief introduction and summary by Ana Souto Villanustre

“The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving was first published in 1824 as a part the collection of short stories Tales of a Traveller. Gentleman Geoffrey Crayon, a fictional character created by the author, is the narrator of the short story, although it is stated that the story has been a legend of New England.

The story takes place in Boston, in 1727 and its main character is Tom Walker, a miserable man who makes a pact with the Devil in order to become wealthy. After the trade with the Devil, he is successful in life and opens a business, which makes him one of the richest people in town. He is a miser man, whose only obsession is gold. What he didn’t realize is that making a pact with the Devil has a prize. Tom Walker sold his soul to the Devil for money and the Devil came back to get what was his.

The story has many things in common with the German folktale of Faust, a man who trades his soul to the devil in exchange of things like money and love. One of the most important versions of the tale Faust is the one by Goethe, German Romantic author. Apart from being inspired and influenced by European folklore, through “The Devil and Tom Walker” Irving is trying to promote American culture. Both aspects are two of the main characteristics of his works.