Use Of Satire In The Devil And Tom Walker

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Satire is used in many works of literature and it uses sarcasm, irony, or ridicule. This is used to try and effect political or social changes or even prevent it. It can also be used in only a part of a work or throughout the whole work. Washington Irving uses satire throughout his work, “The Devil and Tom Walker.” In this work, Irving uses satire to ridicule Puritan New Englanders of the 1700s. Irving mentions the elements of organized religion, the “white establishment” and the institution of marriage in “The Devil and Tom Walker.” In this story, Irving talks about organized religion and religious types. He refers to Deacon Peabody, “An eminent man, who had waxed wealthy by driving shrewd bargains with the Indians (page 21).” Irving mentions,