In the story "The Devil and Tom Walker," Tom demonstrates that he is the Devil's perfect "victim" in several ways. Tom's greed, lack of morals, arrogance, and refusal to change his ways make him the perfect "victim" for the Devil in the story. His character traits and actions align with the qualities that the Devil seeks in order to claim souls.
In the story "The Devil and Tom Walker," Tom demonstrates that he is the Devil's perfect "victim" in several ways. Firstly, Tom is described as a greedy and miserly character, always seeking to accumulate wealth at the expense of others. This makes him susceptible to the Devil's temptation of making a deal to gain even more wealth.
Secondly, Tom's desire for immediate gratification and lack of moral values make him an ideal target for the Devil. He is willing to sell his soul in exchange for the treasure hidden in the forest, showing his willingness to make a deal with the Devil without considering the consequences.
Additionally, Tom's arrogance and disregard for others contribute to his status as the Devil's victim. He becomes wealthy through immoral means, such as cheating others in business transactions and charging exorbitant interest rates. This unethical behavior makes him vulnerable to the Devil's influence.
Furthermore, Tom's refusal to change his ways and repent for his sins ultimately leads to his downfall. Despite being warned about the consequences of his actions, Tom continues his immoral lifestyle and refuses to use his wealth for the benefit of others. This stubbornness and lack of redemption make him an easy target for the Devil to claim his soul.
To support these claims, evidence from the text includes descriptions of Tom's miserly behavior, his deal with the Devil, his unethical business practices, and his refusal to change his ways despite being warned. For example, the text describes Tom's hoarding of money and his unfair treatment of others in business dealings.