In "The Devil and Tom Walker," Washington Irving criticizes the selfish and heartless sections of American society, especially usurers, by satirizing them through Tom Walker’s character. He also criticizes the hypocrisy of American religious groups through his satirical description of Tom’s churchgoing and through his mention of the Salem witch trials and the persecution of Quakers and Anabaptists. He also seems to suggest that American society was founded on violence and inequality:
"Since the red men have been exterminated by you white savages, I amuse myself by presiding at the persecutions of Quakers and Anabaptists; I am the great patron and prompter of slave dealers, and the grandmaster of the Salem witches."
From Plato
Human compassion allow us to see things from other people's perspective although some might call that empathy. We've based a lot of what we are and what we do as people on compassion towards others. Some might say that our system of morality is based on reducing suffering, something compassion makes us do.
I believe the correct answer is that it begins with broad statements and ends with more specific ones.
In the beginning, the speaker is just presenting the general idea of the Declaration of Independence and asking certain questions. However, through those questions, he is finding appropriate answers and concluding specific ideas that he wanted to share with his audience.
Your gonna have to give us a summary of the selection because we don learn the same things you do. After you explain the summary maybe then we can help you with this question.
