Literature in America has evolved through many generations. During the 19 century, the writing styles of the Puritans and the Classicists have shifted into the ideals of American Romanticists. The ideas, structures and styles differed between the types of writing. In the Puritanical era of writing the authors focused on strict structure and order. As writing styles evolved into American Romanticism, authors expanded their ideas to create a world of fantasy and freedom. In the short story, “The Devil and Tom Walker,” by Washington Irving, Irving emphasizes American Romanticism characteristics. “The Devil and Tom Walker” is a good opposition and reaction of Puritan and Classicists ideas. American Romanticism challenged the principles and ideas
