In this American tall tale by Stephen Benét a hapless farmer sells his soul to the devil in exchange for seven years of good luck. When the time comes to “pay up”, he asks Daniel Webster, famed lawyer, orator and all around good guy, to help him get out of the deal. After attempts at compromise fail, Webster insists on a trial according to American law. Although the devil whips up a stacked judge and jury comprised of dead scoundrels, Daniel’s speech about American values wins the day.. Themes include patriotism, temptation, good vs. evil, “neighborliness” (helping others), and righteousness.
Webster is a fictionalized version of American lawyer and statesman Daniel Webster. Ironically, although the story Webster rails against slavery (And when he talked of those enslaved, and the sorrows of slavery, his voice got like a big bell.), the real Webster tarnished his reputation by supporting the controversial anti-abolitionist Compromise of 1850.
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