Lack of Character Complexity: Tom Walker is portrayed primarily as a greedy, self-interested individual. His avarice governs his actions throughout the story, and his desire for material wealth overrides any other potential traits or motivations. This one-sided portrayal limits the complexity of his character and makes him easily predictable.
Absence of Moral Conflict: Tom Walker's character lacks any significant moral conflict. His moral compass seems singularly focused on personal gain, and he never exhibits any internal struggles over right and wrong. This absence of moral complexity makes him appear one-dimensional and reduces the potential for deeper character development.
Lack of Emotional Depth: Tom Walker's emotional range is limited. He primarily exhibits greed, fear, and desperation. The story does not delve into his other potential emotions, such as love, compassion, or regret, making him emotionally one-dimensional.
Static Character Arc: Tom Walker undergoes minimal character development throughout the story. His personality and motivations remain largely the same from beginning to end. The lack of character growth or transformation contributes to his one-dimensional nature.
Archetypal Representation: Tom Walker can be seen as representing the archetype of "The Miser" or "The Greedy Man." Such characters are often portrayed one-dimensionally in literature, embodying specific traits without much room for depth or complexity.
While certain one-dimensional characters can serve specific purposes in a story, they often lack the richness and relatability of more complex characters. In "The Devil and Tom Walker," Tom Walker's one-dimensional nature limits the story's exploration of human nature and moral dilemmas, making him a somewhat predictable and less compelling character.