Use Of Satire In The Devil And Tom Walker

Washington Irving, American novelist and short story writer, uses satire in The Devil and Tom Walker. He is able to ironically criticize scolding women and the institution of marriage, greed, and puritans. The way satire is incorporated creates a humorous image in our minds which highlights problems in society. This short story is of a stereotypical American man named Tom Walker who makes a pact with the devil because of his self-seeking greediness. Irving uses humor to satirize scolding women and the institution of marriage. In the following two quotes pulled from the story he first starts of by describing the turbulent relationship between Tom Walker and his wife. Irving also tells the reaction of single people that passed by their home who seem to be glad that they were not married. “Tom’s wife was a tall termagant, fierce of temper, loud of tongue, and strong of arm.” (Irving 314) “The lonely wayfarer shrunk within himself at the horrid clamour and clapper clawing; eyed the den of discord askance, and hurried on his way, rejoicing, if a bachelor, in his celibacy”(Irving 314). This short story also refers to how a female scold is “... Considered a match for the devil…” by the harshness and fierce expressed (Irving 314).

The stinginess and greed that Tom and his wife possess leads to problems in their relationships. “He had a wife as miserly as himself: They were so miserly that they even conspired to cheat each other… Her husband continually prying about to detect her secret hoards, and many and fierce were the conflicts that took place about what ought to have been common property” (Irving 314). Tom and his wife are described in incredibly amusing terms that exaggerates their greed. This miserliness leads Tom to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for