Final answer:
To analyze 'The Devil and Tom Walker,' apply the 'who, what, when, where, how?' approach to understand characters, plot, setting, themes, and conflicts. Goodman Brown faces both internal and external conflicts, including his struggle with faith and disillusionment. The Devil or human corruptibility may be considered the antagonist.
Step-by-step explanation:
To analyze key events and character reactions in "The Devil and Tom Walker," you will want to apply the "who, what, when, where, how?" approach to your reading of the literature. Start by identifying characters like Tom Walker and the Devil, then outline the plot—the series of events that lead to Tom's fateful agreement with the Devil. Consider the setting of the story, a swamp near Boston, Massachusetts, during the early 18th century, and how this contributes to the development of the plot and the tone of the story. Lastly, take note of how Irving sets up these situations and how Tom Walker and other characters react to them, as these reactions are central in understanding the themes of the narrative, such as moral corruption and greed.
In examining the story's conflicts, you will notice that Goodman Brown faces both internal and external challenges. The main external conflict is between Goodman Brown and the mysterious figure he encounters in the forest, while the internal conflict rages within Goodman Brown as he struggles with questions of faith and disillusionment with the society around him.
Regarding the antagonist question, it can be argued that the Devil or perhaps the corruptibility of human nature itself acts as the main antagonist in "The Devil and Tom Walker."