What is the falling action in story devil and tom walker?

In Washington Irving's short story "The Devil and Tom Walker," the falling action begins after Tom makes his deal with the devil. He becomes increasingly wealthy and powerful, but his joy is fleeting. His conscience begins to torment him, and he begins to fear for his soul. He tries to break the deal, but the devil refuses to let him go.

The downward spiral continues as Tom's wife dies under mysterious circumstances and he becomes even more isolated and paranoid. When the devil finally comes to claim his due, Tom tries to escape, but he is unsuccessful. As Tom is dragged down to hell, his life comes to a close in a moment of intense terror and dread. The story thus draws to a close, reflecting the consequences of Tom's ill-fated desire for wealth and power, underscoring the cautionary moral at its core.