In the story The Devil and Tom Walker, what does the house show about Tom and his wife's morals?

In the story, Tom Walker's residence undergoes a rapid transformation after his success as an usurer. Let's first analyze the look of his house prior to this change.

They lived in a forlorn looking house, that stood alone and had an air of starvation. A few straggling savin trees, emblems of sterility, grew near it; no smoke ever curled from its chimney; no traveler stopped at its door.

From the imagery above, you get the...

In the story, Tom Walker's residence undergoes a rapid transformation after his success as an usurer. Let's first analyze the look of his house prior to this change.

They lived in a forlorn looking house, that stood alone and had an air of starvation. A few straggling savin trees, emblems of sterility, grew near it; no smoke ever curled from its chimney; no traveler stopped at its door.

From the imagery above, you get the idea that the state of Tom's house is emblematic of his true personality and morals. Notice the negative qualities surrounding Tom's home: the house is described as 'forlorn,' surrounded by 'straggling' trees depicted as 'emblems of sterility.'

Traditionally, savin was also known as juniper. The Romans used savin/juniper for medicinal purposes; interestingly, the ancient Syrians regarded the tree as a symbol of fertility. However, during the Middle Ages, juniper was used to induce miscarriages or to cause abortions, hence the 'sterility' imagery is appropriate for this story. Tom and his wife exhibit a disturbing lack of true morality and human decency; in essence, their very natures are purged ('sterilized') of any capacity for moral aptitude. This can be seen from their personal willingness to engage in a physical battle of wills to protect their individual hoards from each other. Additionally, Tom is not averse to making a pact with the Devil in order to secure the best material advantage he can bargain for. When he finds out that his wife has been dispatched by Old Scratch himself, he thanks his lucky stars that he is well rid of her.

Source: read about the juniper/savin.

After Tom makes his money 'hand over hand' from the practice of steep usury, he builds himself a 'vast house out of ostentation,' but 'left the greater part of it unfinished and unfurnished out of parsimony.' Again, the state of his house clearly depicts Tom's true character. He is a man who is largely enamored with superficial appearances and material advantages rather than spiritual considerations. His ostentatious home is thus, also a symbol of his moral decrepitude and nihilism.