Jonathan Edwards- Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God s1

Washington Irving (1783-1859)

. Known as the “______”

. Studied the ______, but much preferred ______; he had a passion for “…visiting new scenes and observing strange characters and manners.”

. First two stories in American literature were attributed to him: 1) ______

2) ______

. 1stAmerican to achieve international______fame- The English loved him (satirized their way of life)

. Greatest portion of income not from ______fiction, but from writing literary______

. Wrote stories that blended the legends of ______with thee ______he had heard while wandering as a young man through New York’s Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley

. Considered a master of ______and ______

Literary Focus

 Satire:______

 Satire can be ______. Watch for indicators such as ______

 Imagery: ______

 Themes- ______

The Devil and Tom Walker

1. Re-read lines 1-15. What details in the description suggest that this is an ill-fated place? What might be the literary purpose of these lines?

2. The picture on page 313 by artist John Quidor depicts a man who has just discovered a store of hidden gold. What aspects of the painting help to create an emotional impact?

1 3. Identify the images in lines 16-30 that help to characterize Tom and his wife. What character traits do these images reveal? (314)

4. In lines 31-37, Irving satirizes scolding women and the institution of marriage. What humorous details indicate this satire? (314)

5. What kind of mood is established by the description of the swamp in lines 40-47? (314)

6. In lines 68-77 what can you infer about Tom Walker from his reaction to the swamp and to his grisly discovery of the skull? (315)

7. In reference to Deacon Peabody, what does the ‘stranger’ mean when he states, “…as I flatter myself he will be, if he does not look more to his own sins and less to those of his neighbors.”?

8. Irving describes the tree with Deacon Peabody’s name scored upon it as “fair and flourishing without, but rotten at the core…” What is he inferring about the Deacon?

9. Reread lines 96-105. Why do you think the trees are marked with the men’s names?

10. What do lines 115-118 reveal about the author’s attitude toward the activities of the early settlers? Explain.

11. In reference to lines 111-134, answer the following questions

 According to the narrator, why does Tom show no fear when he confronts the devil?

 What offer does the ‘stranger’ make Tom?

 What were the devil’s conditions for granting Tom the treasure?

2 12. When Tom’s wife reveals that Crowninshield had died, how does Tom feel? (318)

13. In line 150, how does Tom’s wife react after he tells her of his secret pact? Does Tom do as she wishes? Why or why not?

14. Briefly summarize Tom’s wife’s meeting with the devil?

15. What does Tom do after his wife does not return?

16. Which images in lines 189-192 suggest that Tom’s discovery won’t be a pleasant one?

17. How does Irving use humor and exaggeration to satirize a “female scold” in lines 199-207?

18. Although Tom refuses to traffic slaves, what does he agree to do?

19. In lines 232-243 how does Tom compare with the devil in terms of his greed and mercilessness? What comment is Irving making about usurers in general?

20. Describe the ‘economic times’ in which Tom sets up his business. How does Tom’s business proceed?

21. In lines 264-275 what do the images that are used to describe both Tom and his clients tell you about Tom and his methods? Cite several images.

22. What type of churchgoer is represented by Tom in lines 276-289? What is Irving’s intent?

3 23. In lines 321-322 what does the image of “…the big Bible on the desk buried under the mortgage” reveal?

24. Reread lines 341-345. What message do these images suggest about material possessions and those who seek them?

Vocabulary

1. melancholy

2. persecution

3. avarice

4. usurer

5. speculate

6. ostentatious

7. censurer