The Devil and Daniel Webster
The Devil and Daniel Webster is a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet, first published in 1937. It tells the story of Jabez Stone, a poor farmer from New Hampshire who sells his soul to the devil, known as Mr. Scratch, in exchange for seven years of good luck. When his luck runs out, Stone turns to the famous orator and statesman Daniel Webster for help. Webster agrees to represent Stone in a trial against Mr. Scratch, and the two of them travel to the underworld to face the devil in court. With the help of a jury of famous figures from history, Webster is able to prove that Stone's contract with the devil was invalid, and Stone is freed from his debt. The story is a classic example of American folklore, and has been adapted into several films and plays. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of making deals with the devil, and a celebration of the power of justice and the law.
By Stephen Vincent Benet · First published 1936 · Genre: Fantasy, Folklore, Historical Fiction · 5 chapters · 6,087 words
First lines
It's a story they tell in the border country, where Massachusetts joins Vermont and New Hampshire.
What this Textopian page supports
The Devil and Daniel Webster is listed on Textopian as a novel by Stephen Vincent Benet, dated 1936 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Stephen Vincent Benet
- Date: 1936 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Folklore, Historical Fiction, Horror
- Length: 6,087 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 190 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Devil and Daniel Webster by Stephen Vincent Benet
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Devil and Daniel Webster?
- How does this novel by Stephen Vincent Benet fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Other Side A Breton Legend by Eric Stenbock
- The Demon Of The Hartz by Thomas Peckett Prest
- The Christian Serpent by Ambrose Bierce
- The Archer And The Eagle by Ambrose Bierce
- The Black Stone by Robert E. Howard
- The Wendigo by Theodore Roosevelt
Genres
- Fantasy — The story follows a man who makes a deal with the devil, and the supernatural elements of the story make it a fantasy novel.
- Folklore — The story is based on a traditional American folktale, and the characters and plot are heavily influenced by this folklore.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in the early 19th century and includes references to historical events and figures.
- Horror — The story includes elements of horror, such as the presence of the devil and the supernatural elements of the story.
Tags
American folklore · Faustian bargain · moral conflict · lawyer · New England · supernatural · good vs evil · literary classic · short story · mythology · justice · rhetoric
Contents
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5