The Devil and Tom Walker

The protagonist of this story, Tom Walker is a common man with miserly tendencies, living an unhappy life with his wife, who is just as miserly as he is. As he is known for his greed, he is strongly tempted by the devil's tantalizing deal, which ultimately results in his downfall. I think the author wanted Tom to be and archetype of many people who are greedy and want more than is needed.