In Washington Irving's short story The Devil and Tom Walker, greed and moral corruption are depicted as unavoidable forces that ultimately lead to a character's downfall. In a well-structured essay, make the case that Irving presents Tom Walker as a cautionary figure to highlight the risks of unchecked greed and hypocrisy in American society. Back up your argument with specific examples from the text, including Irving's use of symbolism, characterization, and setting, and discuss how these literary devices strengthen the story's moral message.

In Washington Irving's short story The Devil and Tom Walker, greed and moral corruption emerge as unavoidable forces that ultimately result in damnation. Argue that Irving uses Tom Walker's deal with the devil as a metaphor for the harmful effects of unchecked greed in early American society. In your essay, explore how Irving utilizes literary devices such as symbolism, characterization, and irony to craft this allegorical critique. Provide specific evidence from the text to back up your argument, and reflect on how the story echoes broader Puritan and Romantic-era concerns regarding wealth, hypocrisy, and moral decay.