The most significant lesson to be learned from Washington Irving's short story concerns the harmful effects of unrestrained greed and malice. Throughout the short story, Tom Walker is a miserly fellow who continually fights with his equally greedy wife. While Tom is walking in the forest, he meets Old Scratch and is immediately excited at the opportunity to one day own Kidd's buried treasure. However, Tom must agree to "certain conditions" in order to possess the great sum of money. Tom's overwhelming greed influences him to make the fatal decision to sell his soul for material wealth. After Tom sells his soul, he agrees to become a heartless usurer and attains his wealth through conducting cruel business practices. Tom grows affluent from the misfortunes of others and is able to purchase a vast home. However, Tom leaves his home unfurnished and refuses to feed the horses that pull his expensive carriage. Despite Tom's material wealth, he remains an unhappy, miserly individual. Tom does not experience a change of heart and begins to fear the consequences of selling his soul. lanation:
