Question

What satirical statement does Washington Irving make about Tom Walker and society in this excerpt from "The Devil and Tom Walker"?

He insisted that the money found through his means should be employed in his service. He proposed, therefore, that Tom should employ it in the black traffic; that is to say, that he should fit out a slave ship. This, however, Tom resolutely refused: he was bad enough in all conscience, but the Devil himself could not tempt him to turn slave-trader.

A.
Shunning slavery is expected even from morally corrupt men like Tom.
B.
Although Tom shuns slavery, he still oppresses people with extortion.
C.
Supporting slavery and participating in the slave trade is evil.
D.
Tom realizes that the slave trade is worse than extorting money from others.
E.
Indulging in extortion is more reprehensible than supporting slavery.

Answer 1

B. Although Tom shuns slavery, he still oppresses people with extortion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tom states that he was bad and that he was extorsioning people to get money from them, however, the text states that even though Tom was a bad person, he had his limits. The correct answer is option B because he refused to invest the money in slavery but the money he had was from extorsioning people.

Answer 2

Answer is B. Although Tom shuns slavery, he still oppresses people with extortion.

In the excerpt. Washington Irving criticizes Tom through the use of satire. He implies that although Tom's limit seems to be slave trading, he is not a better person for shunning slavery, because he is still "bad enough in all conscience".