Washington Irving uses similes and imagery to communicate his viewpoint on the theme of valuing material wealth and financial prosperity over the well-being of others. Irving uses a simile when he says, “A miserable horse, whose ribs were as articulate as the bars of a gridiron, stalked about a field…” Irving wants to build a character that is reassuring like bars of a gridiron. The use of a simile comparing the ribs of a horse to bars of a gridiron helps to show that Tom Walker doesn 't care about his horse even though he has a lot of money. Irving uses greed when he says,"Charity begins at home," replied Tom; "I must take care of myself in these hard times." Irving wants to show how Tom Walker shows no pity or emotion for the poor land-jobber