1. Exposing Tom's Hypocrisy:
* Religious Pretense: Tom is portrayed as a devout churchgoer who constantly carries a Bible. However, his piety is purely superficial, a facade to mask his avarice. Irving uses satire to mock Tom's hypocrisy, making his actions even more reprehensible.
* Moral Double Standards: Tom criticizes others for their sins, but readily engages in unethical and immoral practices himself. This hypocrisy is further emphasized by the devil's ironic observation: "He that sells his soul to the devil for gold, must be a man of great principle."
2. Undermining Tom's Greed:
* The "Miserable" Lifestyle: Despite his wealth, Tom lives a miserable life, driven by insatiable greed. The satire exposes the hollowness of material possessions, suggesting they can never truly satisfy.
* The Devil's Bargain: Tom's deal with the devil represents his ultimate obsession with material gain. Irving satirizes the human desire for wealth, exposing its destructive nature.
3. Highlighting Tom's Tragic Fate:
* The Price of Greed: Tom's ultimate demise is a tragic consequence of his greed and avarice. The satire serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the destructive nature of unchecked ambition.
* The Irony of His End: Tom is consumed by the very wealth he craved, further emphasizing the hollowness of his pursuit. The satire reveals the absurdity of his choices and the ultimate futility of his life.
Conclusion:
The satire in "The Devil and Tom Walker" serves as a lens through which readers can critically examine Tom's character. It exposes his hypocrisy, undermines his pursuit of wealth, and ultimately highlights the tragic consequences of his choices. By using satire, Irving invites readers to reflect on the dangers of greed, the emptiness of material possessions, and the importance of moral values.