The Devil is a prevalent antagonist in many early American works of literature. As time has gone on his portrayal is different such as in “The Devil and Tom Walker” written in 1824 and “The Devil and Daniel Webster” written in 1937. These stories and the changes with the outcome show the changes in American society. In “The Devil and Tom Walker” Tom makes a deal with the devil for the pirate Kidd’s gold treasure. Using this money he opens money lending business and proceeds to make money off the interest and repossessed property from the money he has lent out. When some questions his wealth and makes the acquisition that he is making money from his business Tom walker says “The devil take me if I have made a farthing!" He did in fact make much more than a farthing and the devil came. In the end Tom Walker lost his soul to the devil. …show more content…
While calamity falls upon most of his neighbors Jabez’s farm does fine. As time goes on Jabez slowly becomes a worse and worse person. He alienates his mother, his wife, his child, his neighbors, and his friend Daniel Webster. But in his time of need when the devil goes to collect his soul Daniel Webster comes to his aid. He helps defend Jabez in a trial presided over by Judge Hathorne of salem and a jury of people who had sold their soul to the devil. In the end of this story Jabez stone gets to keep his