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The devil and tom walker and the devil and daniel webster compare and contrast essay
The devil and tom walker and the devil and daniel webster compare and contrast essay
The devil and tom walker and the devil and daniel webster compare and contrast essay
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In Stephen Vincent Benet’s “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” Webster is referred to by multiple names. Some people call Daniel Webster “the Union’s stay,” “New Hampshire’s pride,” and “the biggest man in the country.” Others describe him as “a law-abiding citizen,” “trustworthy as the God Almighty,” and “naturally kind hearted.” In “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” Benet portrays Daniel Webster a patriotic, humble, and resolved man.
Benet characterizes Daniel Webster as patriotic even after his death. At his grave, Benet states that one can address Daniel by his name to which he will respond “Neighbour, how stands the Union?” According to the story, one must answer “The Union stands as she should” or he is liable to come out of his grave or even go to “the Pit” itself to save the Union (1). When Jabez comes to Daniel praying that he will take his court case, Daniel states that he has “about seventy-five other things to do and the Missouri Compromise to straighten out,” but he agrees to take Jabez’s case (4).
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In addition to his patriotic persona, Daniel Webster is also depicted as a humble man.
Even Scratch agrees that Webster would certainly be a prize and deserves a “special box” of his own (3). When the devil tells Daniel that he will never be president, Daniel is content because he will still be Daniel Webster. “Most men wouldn’t have asked for better company that Dan’l Webster” especially Jabez when Daniel agrees to take his case (4). Daniel is a great lawyer, according to the story, but Benet reminds us that “we know who’s the King of Lawyers, as the Good Book tells us” (5). The story appears to prove that Daniel might have met his match, but Daniel’s humble attitude gives him hope. He continues to argue his case even when all hope seems lost. Daniel remains humble throughout the story even though he literally is fighting with the devil for Jabez’s
life. Daniel becomes furious during the court case but manages to stay resolved. He does not care if he will be put in contempt of court or if he loses the case. However, all the frustration built up inside of him is never blurted out. When it is Daniel’s turn to speak, he speaks soft and easily. Speaking of “the simple things that everybody’s known and felt,” Daniel calms the court by using examples such as the freshness of a fine morning when one is young, the taste of food when one is hungry, and the new day which is everyday as a child (7). He maintains his calm and resolved attitude during the trial by showing the good in the bad. In Stephen Vincent Benet’s “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” Daniel Webster remains patriotic, humble, and resolved throughout the story. Even when the devil argues with him, tempts his temper, and tries to put him down Daniel manages to face the facts and keep himself calm and collected.
A travesty occurred on this July 11, 1804. In response to Vice-President Burr’s challenge a duel took place on the grounds of Weekhawken, New Jersey, on the very spot where Mr. Hamilton’s eldest son Phillip had died. This day of reckoning has been long approaching. Each man has opposed the other during their political careers. It is supposed the duel was provoked by Burr after personal exploitation sparked by Hamilton, this along with the public humiliation of a lost election. Some dire insults can only be dispelled with an extreme display of bravery. Had Burr not defended his honor others may have considered him as a man, not possessing sufficient firmness to defend his own character, and consequently unworthy of their support. Vice-President Burr’s reasoning most certainly was centered on protecting both his political career and his goodness.
The American Civil War not only proved to be the country’s deadliest war but also precipitated one of the greatest constitutional crises in the history of the United States. President Lincoln is revered by many Americans today as a man of great moral principle who was responsible for both preventing the Union’s dissolution as well as helping to trigger the movement to abolish slavery. In retrospect, modern historians find it difficult to question the legitimacy of Lincoln’s actions as President. A more precise review of President Lincoln’s actions during the Civil War, however, reveals that many, if not the majority, of his actions were far from legitimate on constitutional and legal grounds. Moreover, his true political motives reveal his
There are few speeches in the American history that compel us towards great acts of patriotism. Patrick Henry's speech in the Virginia Provincial Convention of 1775 is a prime example of one of these great speeches. During the debates on whether or not to compromise with Great Britain, Patrick Henry proposed the idea to his fellow members of the First Continental Congress to declare war on Great Britain. A reason why the speech was so powerful was the rhetorical strategies of the diction of slavery, the appeal to God, and the appeal to logic, that he deftly employed. After Patrick Henry opens his speech by respectfully acknowledging the opposition for their own opinions, intellect, and patriotism, he gains the attention of the Congress
Both “The Devil and Tom Walker” and “The Devil and Daniel Webster” are exemplary specimens of Faustian myths, and as such have very many similarities and concurrences. But, they also emphasize different aspects of the characters and their respective personalities. These two commendable stories serve as excellent chronicles of literature and as worthy examples of moral lessons for all ages.
Henry Clay, one of America’s greatest legislators and orators, lived from 1777 to 1852. In his lifespan, Henry was a very successful attorney, a well respected farmer, a horse race enthusiast, and a “Great Compromiser”. The name “Great Compromiser” comes from the fact that Clay was very good at negotiation. With this skill at hand, Henry was able to avoid the Civil War until it could not be adverted.
Two men with two different ways of life are connected through a time period and these two words: determination and dedication. Erik Larson does a great job developing these two characters in The Devil in the White City. On one hand, Daniel Burnham is trying to build the world’s fair in Chicago, on the other H.H. Holmes is a dedicated doctor who is determined to open a hotel for the world 's fair. Burnham is determined and works diligently to get the job done, and he won’t stop for any reason. Holmes driven dedication towards this isn’t for the common reason of making money, but instead he wants to create a safe place that he can murder people. The major difference is that Burnham choose the better path, so he was able to help others in the process. Burnham gave a blank canvas to so many inventors and creators, so that they could change the way things are viewed in the world. These two men show the opposite ends of the spectrum, which is why we have different results caused by their determination and dedication.
The conflict between Benjamin Franklin and his only living son is a microcosm of the little-understood clash between those Americans who strived for independence from British occupation and those that felt the country was either not or never would be ready for self-governance. Benjamin Franklin felt strongly enough about his son’s actions to label them betrayal; William Franklin felt strongly enough about the foolhardiness of the Revolution to suffer his father’s wrath. The actions of the loyalists are understood by Americans to constitute treason, but this is a simplification. Many loyalists felt that r...
...o consider the charms of liberty as imaginary and delusive.” John Jay in this document expresses his fear of the good hearted workers will lose confidence in prominent social figures thus causing civil unrest. He shows his concern on the fact that before they had a purpose or cause, ie independence, and not they are just going with the flow. Daniel Shays was an American soldier, revolutionary, and farmer, famous for being a leader of Shays ' Rebellion, an uprising against oppressive debt collection and tax policies in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787. Instead of addressing the matter formally and politely they went straight to the source: the courts. Shays’ Rebellion shut down courts, stopped proceeding and stopped courts from collecting bankruptcies. This proved to the working class something needed to be done about the government or there would be constant revolts.
Can you imagine yourself locked up in a room with no doors? Similar to a room with no doors, there is no way out of hell if it was one's destiny. In the short story "The Devil & Tom Walker" by Washington Irving, the main character's fate is hell because of his wrong decisions in life, accepting a deal with the devil for earthly benefits. Irving reinforces his message about not making decisions that may damn your soul with the use of literary elements and figurative language. Wisely, Irving combines characterization, mood and point of view to perpetuate the theme of the story in the reader's mind.
Nullification is a precursor to secession in the United States as it is also for civil wars. However, in contrast, the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions did not suggest that states should secede from the union. Under the direct vigilance and radical views of Calhoun, he suggested that states should and could secede from the union if they deem a law was unconstitutional. Calhoun’s reputation as a “Cast Iron” proved fittingly as compromises were reached for the proposed Tariffs. The southern states contribution to the financial welfare of the union as a result of slavery was undoubtedly substantial, but as history unfolded, it was not a just means to financial stability. His views of constitutional propriety was for the “privileges of minority” rather than for the “rights of the minority.” [2]
The 1850s decade began abruptly when on the seventh of March; Daniel Webster affirmed his support of compromise with the Southern slave power. Von Frank describes Whittier as so "shocked and saddened by this unexpected defection” that it led to the powerful protest “Ichabod.” This...
On January 28, 1861, O.M. Roberts, president of the Texas Secession Convention, said in a speech that, “The true theory of our (national) government as an association of sovereignties (independent states), and not a blended mass of people in one social compact.” (Doc C.) Roberts was trying to explain to the audience that states should be able to have rights, and not be a big bundle of people in one social compact. This shows that Texans fought in the Civil War to preserve states’ rights.
Despite knowing that his support of the bill would leave him unelectable within Massachusetts, Webster promised his support. This decision with ultimately lead to his historical condemnation. Within his “Seventh of March” speech, Webster argues in favor of Clay’s proposed legislation, which proposed that the only way in which the nation would thrive as a whole was if slavery was upheld within the south, put aside in debate for a moment to preserve the union, and that fugitive slave laws should be strengthened. Webster would die still standing beside his firm belief that he made the right decision supporting the bill and that he only ever had the union’s best interests at
Irving, Washington. “The Devil and Tom Walker”. Elements of Literature: Fifth Course. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2008. 175-185. Print.
John Webster’s revenge tragedy The White Devil explores themes of passion, vengeance, misogyny, and murder all while under the literary confines of an ultimately ambiguous title. The disputes that come with the words ‘white’ and ‘devil’ are seemingly antithetical. The word ‘white’ comes with implications of light colours, purity, God, etc. Whereas the word ‘devil’ comes with darker, almost black, connotations and is ultimately the exact opposite of the adjective describing it. Webster’s title communicates a belief that, in this play, outward appearances can frequently be deceitful and reality is kept as clandestine, hiding just below its exterior. His characters may seem pure, innocent, and “white” but only below their external, primary persona