ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Old Scratch proposes a deal with Tom. He offers Captain Kidd’s treasure for Tom’s soul.

Detailed explanation-2: -It is said he guards Captain Kidd’s treasure, for he guards all treasure, especially that which is acquired immorally.

Detailed explanation-3: -Answer and Explanation: This story tells the tale of an old, miserly man named Tom Walker and his dealing with the Devil in the guise of a character named ‘Old Scratch. ‘ This fellow promises Tom that he will have the treasure once hidden by Kidd the Pirate.

Detailed explanation-4: -In “The Devil and Tom Walker, ” the character of Old Scratch personifies evil or temptation. The murky woods full of quagmires in which Tom meets the devil are symbolic of his conscience, which, clouded by his greed, falls easily to the devil’s temptation.

Detailed explanation-5: -Q. What did the author mean when Tom stated “Old Scratch must have had a tough time of it!” The Devil felt bad about killing his wife. The Devil had tough time killing his wife, because he found handfuls of hair and noticed the signs of fierce clapperclawing.