Read the passage from “the devil and tom walker.” what does this passage tell you about the personal viewpoint of the author and the cultural norms of this period? from “the devil and tom walker” tom looked in the direction that the stranger pointed, and beheld one of the great trees, fair and flourishing without, but rotten at the core, and saw that it had been nearly hewn through, so that the first high wind was likely to blow it down. on the bark of the tree was scored the name of deacon peabody, an eminent man, who had waxed wealthy by driving shrewd bargains with the indians. the author frowns on the hypocrisy of religious people who take advantage of others. there was a flourishing business during this period as successful people traded with the indians. people of that region respected the forests and were opposed to the careless cutting of trees.