What character traits does Tom Walker exemplify in “The Devil and Tom Walker”?
scarletpimpernel Teacher High School – 12th Grade eNotes Editor 1. Tom Walker is stingy. He does not want to share anything with his wife or witness her taking pleasure in anything that he does not get to enjoy. His house even represents this character trait, for Irving writes that when a passerby sees the barrenness of the Walker house, he keeps on walking, choosing to hazard starvation or lack of shelter over staying in such an unwelcoming place. Similarly, when he discovers that his wife as absconded with some of their household goods and later finds that she is dead, he is more concerned with getting back his missing items than his wife’s fate. 2. Tom exemplifies the greediness and laziness. He wants as many material goods as he can get in life, but he is unmotivated to work for them. His greediness and laziness cause him to make the deal with the devil because he is willing to take from others–even in their darkest hours–to make himself rich and he really doesn’t have to do any
