Both The Devil and Tom Walker and The Devil and Daniel Webster are examples of stories in which men sell their souls to the devil. Despite their similarities, they show differences in areas including the way the devil is portrayed, the motivations of the men, the actions the men took to regain their souls, and the resolution. The devils in the two stories are portrayed very differently by the authors. In the Devil and Daniel Webster, the devil is portrayed as a well-dressed, persuasive man. He is described as a “soft-spoken, dark-dressed stranger”, (Benét, p. 13) and it is evident in his speech that he is well-mannered and intelligent. In contrast, in The Devil and Tom Walker, the devil is described as gruff, and not well dressed. It is stated that he is “dingy and begrimed with soot”. (Irving, p. 3) He does not seem particularly intelligent, and his speech is often accompanied with
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After the devils steal the souls of Jabez Stone and Tom Walker, they both quickly begin to regret their decisions, despite their temporary success, and take steps to try to reverse their fate. However, they take very different approaches. Tom Walker takes a religious approach by attending church and always carrying “a small Bible in his coat pocket.” (Irving, p. 9). Even though money is still more important to him, causing him to act immorally, he believes that this feeble attempt will save his soul. In contrast, Jabez Stone hires a lawyer and tries to outsmart the devil with arguments and logic. Daniel Webster, his lawyer, gives an argument appealing to the human side of the jurors, and “ he knew he'd done a miracle. For the glitter was gone from the eyes of judge and jury, and, for the moment, they were men again, and knew they were men.” (Benét, p. 20). Tom Walker attempts to save his soul through a half hearted attempt at religion, while Jabez Stone hires a lawyer to argue his way out of the
After the devils steal the souls of Jabez Stone and Tom Walker, they both quickly begin to regret their decisions, despite their temporary success, and take steps to try to reverse their fate. However, they take very different approaches. Tom Walker takes a religious approach by attending church and always carrying “a small Bible in his coat pocket.” (Irving, p. 9). Even though money is still more important to him, causing him to act immorally, he believes that this feeble attempt will save his soul. In contrast, Jabez Stone hires a lawyer and tries to outsmart the devil with arguments and logic. Daniel Webster, his lawyer, gives an argument appealing to the human side of the jurors, and “ he knew he'd done a miracle. For the glitter was gone from the eyes of judge and jury, and, for the moment, they were men again, and knew they were men.” (Benét, p. 20). Tom Walker attempts to save his soul through a half hearted attempt at religion, while Jabez Stone hires a lawyer to argue his way out of the