Washington Irving wrote short stories in the early 1800s and is considered to be one of America’s first writers to earn money for their work. He has been known for being so good at creating fiction novels that some of his lies are still being questioned as true facts. Most of Irving’s stories could be seen as anti-feminist for the way he portrays women in his early American societies. Feminists would criticize Irving’s work due to his portrayal of women in an infamous way due to how society was in
When first glanced at “The Devil and Tom Walker” does not seem like the “romantic” ideals one might think. The idea of romance is not just that of kissing, sex and relationships, that is an old paradigm. But, the tale of Tom Walker and the Devil depicts the beauty of nature, is emotionally charged and displayed many things that put imagination over reason, all characteristics of a romantic story. Even the definition of “romantic” is “of, characterized by, or suggestive of an idealized view of reality”
to readers by Irving’s work. Readers of “The Devil and Tom Walker” find out that the devil arrives on horse after a thundergust appearing mysteriously. All of Tom’s money turns to cinder, both of these elements are supernatural and unlikely to happen. "About the year 1727, just at the time when earthquakes were prevalent in New England, and shook many tall sinners down upon their knees, there lived near this place a meagre miserly fellow of the name of Tom Walker." - Washington Irving Also in