29 pages • 58 minutes read
Stephen Vincent BenétThe Devil and Daniel Webster
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1937A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
How does Benét’s Scratch compare to the devil figures in other Faust legends, such as Goethe’s Faust or Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus?
Consider the grounds on which Scratch claims to be an American citizen. In addition to citing America’s sins as proof of citizenship, Scratch references the prevalence of the Devil in American culture and religion. What is the significance of this in light of the story’s overall themes?
How does “The Devil and Daniel Webster” compare to the 1941 film of the same name?
Who is the true protagonist of the story? Jabez Stone or Daniel Webster? Provide arguments for and against each character.
Webster’s speech implies that the jurors are all “traitors” to America. Does the story endorse this view? What does it mean for Benét to depict these figures as damned?
Why does Benét choose John Hathorne to preside over Scratch and Webster’s trial?
Compare and contrast “The Devil and Daniel Webster” and “The Devil and Tom Walker.” What other influences do you see at work in Benét’s version?
How does the idea of the “Union” function in the story? Is there a tension between this idea and the story’s highly local setting?
Given that the trial marks the story’s climax, what role does Scratch’s ensuing conversation with Webster serve?
