The Monkey's Paw Study Guide

what is an example of foreshadowing in The Monkey's Paw

"Hark at the wind," said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it. (Foreshadows Mr. White realizing his mistake of wishing on the paw after Herbert dies and it is too late.)

how is this an example of foreshadowing. The candle-end, which had burned below the rim of the china candlestick, was throwing pulsating shadows on the ceiling and walls, until with a flicker larger than the rest, it expired.

(Foreshadows Herbert rising from a sunken grave and briefly coming back to life, then dying once again.)

how is this an example of foreshadowing. Herbert sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. The last face was so horrible and simian, he gazed at it in amazement.

(Foreshadows Herbert tragic death that comes as a result of wishing on the monkey's paw.)

how is this an example of foreshadowing. "Morris said the things happened so naturally," said his father, "that you might if you so wished attribute it to coincidence."

(Foreshadows that Herbert's death will seem coincidental and unrelated to the wish.)

how is this an example of foreshadowing? It was all over so quickly that at first, they could hardly realize it, and remained in a state of expectation as though of something else to happen - something else which was to lighten this load, too heavy for old hearts to bear.

(Foreshadows the second wish, to bring Herbert back.)

12. What was Mr. White's final wish? Why? What clues can you find in the text that reveal his reasoning?

He wishes his son dead again. He is afraid of the state his son will be in when he returns from the cemetery as a risen corpse. He reveals when he says, "Don't let it in."

8. What happened to Herbert the next day? Why does Mrs. White shriek when she hears the amount they will receive?

Herbert dies during an accident at work in which he is caught in the machinery. Mrs. White shrieks when she hears the amount they will receive from the company as compensation: two hundred pounds. The Whites' first wish has been granted, but at the cost of their only son's life.

Rising Action of The Monkey's Paw

Herbert taunts his father to make a wish, Mr. Whites wishes for 200 pounds. They are granted their wish but lose their son—who dies in an accident—in the process. After an argument, Mr. White is convinced by his wife to wish their son back to life.

How is Supernatural a theme of The Monkey's Paw

Magic does harm: Mystic or spiritual beings can "charge" a talisman to do harm upon those greedy enough to interfere with fate. Magical forces rarely work the way people want them to.

3. What information does Sgt. Major Morris share about the monkey's paw? Why was a spell put on it?

Morris tells them, pointedly, that the paw is magic. A fakir, an Indian holy man or mystic, put a spell on it to show people that fate rules people's destiny, and that "those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow."

5. What is the Whites' attitude towards the paw at first? Use evidence from the text.

Mr. White is interested in it. He asks if he can have it and puts it in his pocket. He pays Morris "a trifle" for it, though his "face colors" from embarrassment at his own credulity. At first, the family jokes about it—Mrs. White, for example, asks if they might "wish for four pairs of hands" for her. Herbert, their son, jokes with "pretended horror," that they will now be "rich, and famous, and happy."

6. What is Mr. White's first wish? What do you predict will happen as a result?

Mr. White wishes for "two hundred pounds." Predictions will vary; provide evidence to support your opinion.

1. What important information about the characters and setting is shared in the exposition of this story?

The Whites, a seemingly close family, live in a remote area, Laburnum Villa. The husband has a hard time losing a chess game to his son, though he later laughs at himself with a "guilty grin," while his wife is gently teasing.

13. What is the climax of the story? Explain.

The climax of the story happens as Mrs. White is struggling to open the door as Mr. White makes his final wish. This is the point of highest action and tension in the story.

Falling Action of The Monkey's Paw

The knocking ceases.

7. How does the mood change when the Whites go to bed? What words does the author use to create this changed mood? How might this foreshadow future events?

The mood becomes somber, and the wind begins to howl outside. "A silence unusual and depressing seled upon all three." Herbert sees faces in the fire, disturbed by the final one, "so horrible and so simian" (monkey-‐like). This may foreshadow that something horrible may happen to Herbert as a result of their wish on the paw.

4. What does Sgt. Major Morris tell us about the previous wisher? How might this foreshadow danger in the future for the Whites?

The previous wisher wished for death. This hints that whatever he had wished for resulted in such great misfortune and horror that death seemed a preferable opinion. This foreshadows great misfortune or even death for the Morris family, should they choose to use the paw

who wrote the monkeys paw

W.W. Jacobs

Climax of The Monkey's Paw

As the door knocks, Mrs. White struggles to open it to welcome her son, while Mr. White frantically makes the third and final wish.

what does the rat symbolize

Associated with decay and death, and Herbert's fate. Mr. White claims a rat passes by him on the stairs, while the couple fumbles to respond to the three knocks at the front door, a fearful premonition of their dead son returning in a decaying, rotting state, having been buried ten days earlier.

11. What was Mr. White's second wish?

At the insistence of his wife, Mr. White wishes for his son Herbert to be alive again.

where is W.W. Jacobs from

England

what are the two themes of The Monkey's Paw

Fate and Supernatural

how is Fate a theme of The Monkey's Paw

Leave fate alone; be content with what you have: Things happen for a reason, to wish them to occur otherwise will result in punishment far greater than the pain any "natural" losses may cause. Jacobs essentially states the theme of the short story, "The Monkey's Paw", in the text. Sergeant-Major Morris tells the Whites that "fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow.

Resolution of The Monkey's Paw

Mrs. White wails in distress; her husband comforts her; Herbert has returned to the grave.

10. Why do the Whites argue about the next wish? What is Mr. White afraid of? Use evidence from the text in your answer.

Mrs. White wants to wish upon the paw again to bring their son back. Mr. White no longer wants anything to do with the paw because of the terrible consequences that would likely occur. He believes it is "foolish and wicked." He is also afraid of the state his son might be in should the wish be granted. He points out that Herbert has been "ten days dead" and that his body was so mangled in the accident, his clothing was the only recognizable part of him.

Central Conflict of The Monkey's Paw

Person versus Fate (Internal) Mr. White, the protagonist, must accept his fate.

what does the threes represent

Repetition of three wishes, three separate owners, the White family is three people, three knocks, represent the "magic number" of superstitious or supernatural events.

2. Who comes to visit? Describe him.

Sergeant Major Morris, an old acquaintance, worldly traveler, drinker, and teller of tales has come to visit.

Inciting Incident of The Monkey's Paw

Sergeant-Major arrives and introduces the Whites to the magic and danger of the monkey's paw.

what does the Monkey's Paw symbolize

The talisman symbolizes desire and greed, the evil that comes from tempting fate.

14. What type of conflicts occur in this story? What is the main type of conflict?

There are several conflicts in this story. There is person vs. self, as Mr. White struggles with the decision of whether to wish upon the paw. There is person vs. person conflict, when Mr. and Mrs. White argues over the final wishes. Finally, there is person vs. fate, the overarching conflict of the story, in which the Whites tempt fate by wishing upon the paw despite being warned.

9. After the accident, do you think the Whites will wish again? For what? Would you wish again?

This is an opinion-based question. Please state your opinion as a response and support with evidence, reasoning, and facts.

Apathy

a lack of interest or emotion

Credulity

a tendency to believe to easily, gullibility

Perils

dangers

Oppressive

distressing; causing great discomfort; burdensome

Visage

face

where and when was W.W. Jacobs born

he was born on September 8, 1943, in London

Exposition of The Monkey's Paw

living in a remote villa, the Whites are a close-‐knit family. Father and son play a game of chess together, while Mrs. White gently teases Mr. White about losing.

Placidly

peacefully

Furtively

secretly, sneakily, slyly

Maligned

spoken badly of, slandered

Grave

very serious, worrying, threatening