Intent and Motive in The Devil and Tom Walker and The Devil and Daniel

Intent and Motive in The bewilder and tomcat pushcart and The Devil and Daniel Webster Washington Irving, in writing The Devil and Tom walker, and Stephen Vincent Benet, in writing The Devil and Daniel Webster illustrate to the reader the consequences of mans desire for bodily wealth and how a persons motivation for a relationship with the scratch affects the core of the deal. In these two different, yet surprisingly similar narratives, the authors deliver their beliefs about human intent and motive. In The Devil and Tom baby buggy, the tarradiddle is contactn of a stingy man and his nagging married woman who ...were so miserly that they even conspired to cheat each other (128). In the story, genius sees a man make a deal with the devil, who in the story is kn consume as Old Scratch, for the sole purpose of personalized gain. Tom Walker, seeing only the possible wealth that he could achieve, bargains with the devil and fin all toldy reaches an agreement which he sees t o be fair. Tom does not see the danger present in bargaining with such a almighty force for so little gain. There is a note of mentality present in the narrative, which adds to the sense of danger that is present making deals that unmatched does not intend to keep. Commenting on the story, Larry L. Stevens notes that This tale,..., comically presents the results of valuing the dollar above all else. This story does a very good job of conveying a message to the reader about human values. In the story Tom is seen as a very self-centered man who cares only for himself and his own well being. He is not even phased when he discovers the remains of his wife hanging in a apron in a tree Tom consoled himself for the loss of his property with the loss of his wife (132). Tom is envisioned in ... ...Daniel Webster. in Adventures in American Literature. Ed. Fannie Safier et al. Athena Edition. capital of Texas Holt, 1996. 635-643. Discovering Authors. Macintosh. CD-ROM. Detroit Gale Res earch, 1993. Irving, Washington. The Devil and Tom Walker. in Adventures in American Literature. Ed. Fannie Safier et al. Athena Edition. Austin Holt, 1996. 128-135. Masterplots II pithy Story Series. Ed. forthright N. Magill. Vol. 2. Pasadena Salem Press, 1989. Peck, David. Masterplots II Short Story Series. Ed. Frank N. Magill. Vol. 2. Pasadena Salem Press, 1989. 575-578. Stewart, Larry L. Masterplots II Short Story Series. Ed. Frank N. Magill. Vol. 2. Pasadena Salem Press, 1989. 579-581. Wagenknecht, Edward. Washington Irving Moderation Displayed. Oxford UP. 1962. 233. in Discovering Authors. Macintosh. CD-ROM. Detroit Gale Research, 1993. 3.