SS 2 The Monkeys Paw - W.W. Jacobs

The Monkey's Paw By W.W. Jacobs PREREADING: The Monkey's Paw is a classic tale of horror and superstition. It was originally written by an English author, W.W. Jacobs, and published in 1902 in a collection of short stories named The Lady of the Barge. The story focuses on a dried, shrunken monkey's paw that is said to have the power to grant its possessor three wishes. If you possessed the monkey's paw, what would you wish for? Do you think making wishes could be dangerous? Why?

W.W. Jacobs Born September 8, 1863, London, England Died September 1, 1943, London, England

STORY ELEMENTS Publication Year \"The Monkey's Paw\" is a short story in the genre of Gothic horror. Harper's Monthly Magazine published it in September 1902. Setting The action takes place in Great Britain, circa 1900, in a house along a lonely road a considerable distance from the nearest population center. The main character, Mr. White, describes the locale in the sixth paragraph of the story: \"Of all the beastly, slushy, out of the way places to live in, this is the worst. Pathway's a bog, and the road's a torrent. I don't know what people are thinking about. I suppose because only two houses in the road are let, they think it doesn't matter.\" Characters Mr. White: Elderly man apparently retired. Mrs. White: Wife of Mr. White. Herbert White: Son of Mr. White. Sergeant-Major Morris: Dinner guest of the Whites. He brings with him a curious talisman, a mummified (preserved) monkey's paw. Representative of Maw and Meggins: Man who delivers horrifying news. Postman: Mail carrier who makes a delivery that attracts the attention of Mrs. White. Point of View The narrator presents the story in omniscient third-person point of view. From this perspective, the narrator can reveal the thoughts of the characters, as in the following passages: His [Sergeant-Major Morris's] manner was so impressive that his hearers were conscious that their light laughter had jarred somewhat. In mental connection with the two hundred pounds, she [Mrs. White] noticed that the stranger was well dressed, and wore a silk hat of glossy newness.

VOCABULARY 1. peril (noun): danger 2. placidly (adverb): peacefully 3. amiably (adverb): in a friendly way 4. torrent (noun): a fast-moving stream 5. condole (verb): to grieve; to show sympathy 6. tumbler (noun): a type of glass with no stem 7. doughty (adjective): determined 8. fakir (noun): a Hindu magician 9. jar (verb): to unsettle or shock 10. presumptuous (adjective): goes beyond what is appropriate; bold 11. doggedly (adverb): in a determined way 12. talisman (noun): a lucky object 13. enthralled (adjective): very interested 14. henpecked (adjective): constantly criticized and bossed about by one's wife 15. antimacassar (noun): a drop cloth placed over a chair 16. dubiously (adverb): with uncertainty or doubt 17, credulity (noun): believing something is true without evidence 18. prosaic (adjective): straightforward 19. betoken (verb): to indicate 20. avaricious (adjective): greedy 21. bibulous (adjective): enjoys alcohol 22. furtively (adverb): in a sly way 23. mutilated (adjective): completely destroyed 24. apathetically (adverb): without emotion 25. reverberate (verb): to echo

VOCABULARY IN PRACTICE 1. If you are in are peril, you are in (a) danger (b) trouble 2. A prosaic text, lacks (b) figurative language (a) facts 3. If you are entralled in a book, you are very _________. (a) bored by it (b) interested in it 4. A placid lake is (b) stormy (a) calm 5. Someone who lacks interest in things can be described as (a) apathetic (b) emotional 1. Explain the connection between credulity and incredible. 2. What might a presumptuous person do when they enter a room full of people? 3. Name a career or course of study that requires dogged determination. 4. Why are some people dubious about the existence of aliens? 5. Describe an animal that moves furtively. 6. Have you ever been jarred awake? By what? 7. What is something that reverberates. ____________ __________ ____________

JOURNAL and PREDICT 1. In about 100 words, answer the following question: \"If I were given three wishes, I would wish for . . .\" __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ 2. Based on the quotes below, what do you think this story will be about? Be careful what you wish for, you may receive it. The third was for death. Better let it burn. But I warn you of the consequences. ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________

The Monkey’s Paw “Be careful what you wish for, you Mr. White looked up sharply, just in time may receive it.” – Anonymous to see a knowing look between mother and son. The words died away on his lips, PART ONE and he hid a guilty smile in his thin grey beard. Outside, the night was cold and wet, but in the small living room the curtains were “There he is,” said Herbert White as the closed and the fire burned brightly. Father gate banged shut loudly and heavy and son were playing chess; the father, footsteps came toward the door. whose ideas about the game involved some very unusual moves, putting his king The old man rose quickly and opening into such sharp and unnecessary danger the door, was heard telling the new that it even brought comment from the arrival how sorry he was for his recent white-haired old lady knitting quietly by loss. The new arrival talked about his the fire. sadness, so that Mrs. White said, “Tut, tut!” and coughed gently as her husband “Listen to the wind,” said Mr. White who, entered the room followed by a tall, having seen a mistake that could cost him heavy built, strong-looking man, whose the game after it was too late, was trying skin had the healthy reddish colour to stop his son from seeing it. associated with outdoor life and whose eyes showed that he could be a dangerous “I’m listening,” said the son, seriously enemy. studying the board as he stretched out his hand. “Check.” “Sergeant-Major Morris,” he said, introducing him to his wife and his son, “I should hardly think that he’ll come Herbert. tonight,” said his father, with his hand held in the air over the board. The Sergeant-Major shook hands and, taking the offered seat by the fire, “Mate,” replied the son. watched with satisfaction as Mr. White got out whiskey and glasses. “That’s the worst of living so far out,” cried Mr. White with sudden and After the third glass his eyes got brighter unexpected violence; “Of all the awful out and he began to talk. The little family of the way places to live in, this is the circle listened with growing interest to worst. Can’t walk on the footpath without this visitor from distant parts, as he getting stuck in the mud, and the road’s a squared his broad shoulders in the chair river. I don’t know what the people are and spoke of wild scenes and brave acts; thinking about. I suppose they think it of wars and strange peoples. doesn’t matter because only two houses in the road have people in them.” “Twenty-one years of it,” said Mr. White, looking at his wife and son. “When he “Never mind, dear,” said his wife calmly; went away he was a thin young man. “perhaps you’ll win the next one.” Now look at him.”

“He doesn’t look to have taken much “And what is there special about it?” harm.” said Mrs. White politely. asked Mr. White as he took it from his son, and having examined it, placed it “I’d like to go to India myself,” said the upon the table. old man, just to look around a bit, you know.” “It had a spell put on it by an old fakir,” said the Sergeant-Major, “a very holy “Better where you are,” said the Sergeant- man. He wanted to show that fate ruled Major, shaking his head. He put down the people’s lives, and that those who tried empty glass and sighing softly, shook it to change it would be sorry. He put a again. spell on it so that three different men could each have three wishes from it.” “I should like to see those old temples and fakirs and the street entertainers,” said the The way he told the story showed that he old man. truly believed it and his listeners became aware that their light laughter was out of “What was that that you started telling me place and had hurt him a little. the other day about a monkey’s paw or something, Morris?” “Well, why don’t you have three, sir?” said Herbert, cleverly. “Nothing.” said the soldier quickly. “At least, nothing worth hearing.” The soldier looked at him the way that the middle aged usually look at “Monkey’s paw?” said Mrs. White disrespectful youth. “I have,” he said curiously. quietly, and his face whitened. “Well, it’s just a bit of what you might “And did you really have the three call magic, perhaps,” said the Sergeant- wishes granted?” asked Mrs. White. Major, without first stopping to think. “I did,” said the Sergeant-Major, and his His three listeners leaned forward glass tapped against his strong teeth. excitedly. Deep in thought, the visitor put his empty glass to his lips and then set it “And has anybody else wished?” down again. Mr. White filled it for him continued the old lady. again. “The first man had his three wishes. “To look at it,” said the Sergeant-Major, Yes,” was the reply, “I don’t know what feeling about in his pocket, “it’s just an the first two were, but the third was for ordinary little paw, dried to a mummy.” death. That’s how I got the paw.” He took something out of his pocket and His voice was so serious that the group held it out for them. Mrs. White drew fell quiet. back with a look of disgust, but her son, taking it, examined it curiously.

“If you’ve had your three wishes it’s no heard,” said the Sergeant-Major, “But I good to you now then Morris,” said the warn you of what might happen.” old man at last. “Sounds like the ‘Arabian Nights’”, said “What do you keep it for?” Mrs. White, as she rose and began to set the dinner. “Don’t you think you might The soldier shook his head. “Fancy I wish for four pairs of hands for me.” suppose,” he said slowly. “I did have some idea of selling it, but I don’t think I will. It Her husband drew the talisman from his has caused me enough trouble already. pocket, and all three laughed loudly as the Besides, people won’t buy. They think it’s Sergeant-Major, with a look of alarm on just a story, some of them; and those who his face, caught him by the arm. do think anything of it want to try it first and pay me afterward.” “If you must wish,” he demanded, “Wish for something sensible.” “If you could have another three wishes,” said the old man, watching him carefully, Mr. White dropped it back in his pocket, “would you have them?” and placing chairs, motioned his friend to the table. In the business of dinner the “I don’t know,” said the other. “I don’t talisman was partly forgotten, and know.” afterward the three sat fascinated as the listened to more of the soldier’s He took the paw, and holding it between adventures in India. his front finger and thumb, suddenly threw it upon the fire. Mr. White, with a slight “If the tale about the monkey’s paw is not cry, quickly bent down and took it off. more truthful than those he has been telling us,” said Herbert, as the door “Better let it burn,” said the soldier sadly, closed behind their guest, just in time to but in a way that let them know he catch the last train, “we shan’t make much believed it to be true. out of it.” “If you don’t want it Morris,” said the “Did you give anything for it, father?” other, “give it to me.” asked Mrs. White, watching her husband closely. “I won’t.” said his friend with stubborn determination. “I threw it on the fire. If “A little,” said he, colouring slightly, “He you keep it, don’t hold me responsible for didn’t want it, but I made him take it. And what happens. Throw it on the fire like a he pressed me again to throw it away.” sensible man.” “Not likely!” said Herbert, with pretended The other shook his head and examined horror. “Why, we’re going to be rich, and his possession closely. “How do you do famous, and happy.” Smiling, he said, it?” he asked. “Wish to be a king, father, to begin with; “Hold it up in your right hand, and state then mother can’t complain all the time.\" your wish out loud so that you can be

He ran quickly around the table, chased by He shook his head. “Never mind, though; the laughing Mrs White armed with a there’s no harm done, but it gave me a piece of cloth. shock all the same.” Mr. White took the paw from his pocket “It must have been your imagination, and eyed it doubtfully. “I don’t know what father,” said his wife, regarding him to wish for, and that’s a fact,” he said worriedly. slowly. “It seems to me I’ve got all I want.” He shook his head. “Never mind, though; there’s no harm done, but it gave me a “If you only paid off the house, you’d be shock all the same.” quite happy, wouldn’t you!” said Herbert, with his hand on his shoulder. “Well, wish They sat down by the fire again while the for two hundred pounds, then; that’ll just two men finished their pipes. Outside, the do it.” wind was higher than ever, and the old man jumped nervously at the sound of a His father, smiling and with an door banging upstairs. An unusual and embarrassed look for his foolishness in depressing silence settled on all three, believing the soldier’s story, held up the which lasted until the old couple got up to talisman. Herbert, with a serious face, to go to bed. spoiled only by a quick smile to his mother, sat down at the piano and struck a “I expect you’ll find the cash tied up in a few grand chords. big bag in the middle of your bed,” said Herbert, as he wished them goodnight, “I wish for two hundred pounds,” said the “and something horrible sitting on top of old man clearly. your wardrobe watching you as you pocket your ill-gotten money. A fine crash from the piano greeted his words, broken by a frightened cry from the Herbert, who normally had a playful old man. His wife and son ran toward him. nature and didn’t like to take things too seriously, sat alone in the darkness looking “It moved,” he cried, with a look of horror into the dying fire. He saw faces in it; the at the object as it lay on the floor. “As I last so horrible and so monkey-like that he wished, it twisted in my hand like a stared at it in amazement. It became so snake.” clear that, with a nervous laugh, he felt on the table for a glass containing some water “Well, I don’t see the money,” said his to throw over it. His hand found the son, as he picked it up and placed it on the monkey’s paw, and with a little shake of table, “and I bet I never shall.” his body he wiped his hand on his coat and went up to bed. “It must have been your imagination, father,” said his wife, regarding him worriedly.

COMPREHENSION SETTING 1. Where and when (approx.) is this story set? Show at least one clue from the story for \"where\" and one for \"when\" which helped you decide your answers. MAKING INFERENCES 2. As well as the physical setting, the atmosphere also contributes to the overall USING TEXT effect of a story. This is the \"feeling\" the setting gives the characters and the EVIDENCE reader as we read. For example, the atmosphere in a church is usually quiet and peaceful which leads the person in a church to feel the same way. On the other hand, the atmosphere at Fantasyland is loud, busy, and full of excitement which causes anyone who is there to feel that. Atmosphere is created in part by setting, but also by how characters are acting. Describe the atmosphere in this story, and quote from the story to support your answer. 3. In the first part of the story, before the old man makes his first wish, copy three clues which tell us, wishing with the monkey's paw is not a positive experience. 4. Before the old man wishes, who from the family believes in the monkey's paw the most? The least? Quote evidence from the story to support your answer. 5. At this point in the story, how do you feel about the monkey's paw? Be sure to explain your answer. 6. As the old man wishes for the money, two things happen which startle him. What are they? 7. After the old man wishes, the author continues to create a spooky atmosphere. The wind continues to blow, a door bangs upstairs, and all three are depressed. However, the son gets a real scare. What is it? 8. The following morning, how does the family feel about making the wish for $200.00? Include a quote from the story to support your response.

PART TWO remarks, I expect, when he comes home,” she said as they sat at dinner. In the brightness of the wintry sun next morning as it streamed over the breakfast “I know,” said Mr. White, pouring table he laughed at his fears. The room felt himself out some beer; “but for all that, as it always had and there was an air of the thing moved in my hand; that I’ll health and happiness which was not there swear to.” the previous night. The dirty, dried-up little paw was thrown on the cabinet with a “You thought it did,” said the old lady, carelessness which indicated no great trying to calm him. belief in what good it could do. “I say it did,” replied the other. “There “I suppose all old soldiers are the same,” was no thought about it; I had just – said Mrs. White. “The idea of our listening What’s the matter?” to such nonsense! How could wishes be granted in these days? And if they could, His wife made no reply. She was how could two hundred pounds hurt you, watching the mysterious movements of a father?” man outside, who, looking in an undecided fashion at the house, appeared “Might drop on his head from the sky,” to be trying to make up his mind to enter. said Herbert. In mental connection with the two hundred pounds, she noticed that the “Morris said the things happened so stranger was well dressed, and wore a silk naturally,” said his father, “that you might hat of shiny newness. Three times he if you so wished not see the relationship.” stopped briefly at the gate, and then walked on again. The fourth time he stood “Well don’t break into the money before I with his hand upon it, and then with come back,” said Herbert as he rose from sudden firmness of mind pushed it open the table to go to work. “I’m afraid it’ll and walked up the path. Mrs White at the turn you into a mean, greedy old man, and same moment placed her hands behind we shall have to tell everyone that we her, hurriedly untied the strings of her don’t know you.” apron, and put it under the cushion of her chair. His mother laughed, and following him to the door, watched him go down the road, She brought the stranger, who seemed a and returning to the breakfast table, she little uncomfortable, into the room. He felt very happy at the expense of her looked at her in a way that said there was husband’s readiness to believe such something about his purpose that he stories. All of which did not prevent her wanted to keep secret, and seemed to be from hurrying to the door at the postman’s thinking of something else as the old lady knock nor, when she found that the post said she was sorry for the appearance of brought only a bill, talking about how the room and her husband’s coat, which Sergeant-Majors can develop bad drinking he usually wore in the garden. She then habits after they leave the army. waited as patiently as her sex would permit for him to state his business, but he “Herbert will have some more of his funny was at first strangely silent.

“I – was asked to call,” he said at last, and He sat staring out the window, and taking bent down and picked a piece of cotton his wife’s hand between his own, pressed from his trousers. “I come from ‘Maw and it as he used to do when he was trying to Meggins.’ ” win her love in the time before they were married, nearly forty years before. The old lady jumped suddenly, as in alarm. “Is anything the matter?” she asked “He was the only one left to us,” he said, breathlessly. “Has anything happened to turning gently to the visitor. “It is hard.” Herbert? What is it? What is it?” The other coughed, and rising, Her husband spoke before he could walked slowly to the window. “The answer. “There there mother,” he said firm wishes me to pass on their great hurriedly. “Sit down, and don’t jump to a sadness about your loss,” he said, conclusion. You’ve not brought bad news, without looking round. “I ask that I’m sure sir,” and eyed the other, expecting you to please understand that I am that it was bad news but hoping he was only their servant and simply doing wrong. what they told me to do.” “I’m sorry – ” began the visitor. There was no reply; the old woman’s face was white, her eyes staring, and her “Is he hurt?” demanded the mother wildly. breath unheard; on the husband’s face was a look such as his friend the The visitor lowered and raised his head Sergeant-Major might have carried into once in agreement.”Badly hurt,” he said his first battle. quietly, “but he is not in any pain.” “I was to say that Maw and Meggins “Oh thank God!” said the old woman, accept no responsibility,” continued the pressing her hands together tightly. “Thank other. “But, although they don’t believe God for that! Thank – ” that they have a legal requirement to make a payment to you for your loss, in She broke off as the tragic meaning of the view of your son’s services they wish to part about him not being in pain came to present you with a certain sum.” her. The man had turned his head slightly so as not to look directly at her, but she Mr. White dropped his wife’s hand, and saw the awful truth in his face. She caught rising to his feet, stared with a look of her breath, and turning to her husband, horror at his visitor. His dry lips shaped who did not yet understand the man’s the words, “How much?” meaning, laid her shaking hand on his. There was a long silence. “Two hundred pounds,” was the answer. “He was caught in the machinery,” said the Without hearing his wife’s scream, the visitor at length in a low voice. old man smiled weakly, put out his hands like a blind man, and fell, a senseless “Caught in the machinery,” repeated Mr. mass, to the floor. White, too shocked to think clearly, “yes.”

COMPREHENSION USING 1. How does the author create a calm setting at the beginnning of Part Two? CONTEXT 2. How do Mr. and Mrs. White feel about the monkey's paw and Sergeant Major Morris' stories in the morning light? 3. What happens to reintroduce a feeling of suspense? 4. How does the author describe the stranger? 5. What is the \"good news-bad news\" situation which happened to allow the family's wish to come true? IDENTIFYING 6. Quote from the story to explain how the father reacted when he got the news IMPLICIT about his son. TEXTUAL CLUES 7. Compare the reaction of Herbert's mother and father. 8. Do the Whites believe the monkey's paw was responsible for the death of their son? How does the author imply this?

PART THREE She almost fell as she came hurried across the room toward him. “I want it,” she said In the huge new cemetery, some two miles quietly. away, the old people buried their dead, and came back to the house which was now “You’ve not destroyed it?” full of shadows and silence. It was all over so quickly that at first they could hardly “It’s in the living room, on the shelf realize it, and remained in a state of above the fireplace,” he replied. “Why?” waiting for something else to happen – something else which was to lighten this She cried and laughed together, and load, too heavy for old hearts to bear. bending over, kissed his cheek. But the days passed, and they realized that “I only just thought of it,” she said. “Why they had to accept the situation – the didn’t I think of it before? Why didn’t you hopeless acceptance of the old. Sometimes think of it?” they hardly said a word to each other, for now they had nothing to talk about, and “Think of what?” he questioned. their days were long to tiredness. “The other two wishes,” she replied It was about a week after that the old man, quickly. “We’ve only had one.” waking suddenly in the night, stretched out his hand and found himself alone. The “Was not that enough?” he demanded room was in darkness, and he could hear angrily. the sound of his wife crying quietly at the window. He raised himself in bed and “No,” she cried excitedly; “We’ll have listened. one more. Go down and get it quickly, and wish our boy alive again.” “Come back,” he said tenderly. “You will be cold.” The man sat up in bed and threw the blankets from his shaking legs. “Good “It is colder for my son,” said the old God, you are mad!” he cried, struck with horror. woman, who began crying again. The sounds of crying died away on his “Get it,” she said, breathing quickly; “get ears. The bed was warm, and his eyes it quickly, and wish – Oh my boy, my heavy with sleep. He slept lightly at first, boy!” and then was fully asleep until a sudden wild cry from his wife woke him with a Her husband struck a match and lit the start. candle. “Get back to bed he said,” his voice shaking. “You don’t know what you “THE PAW!” she cried wildly. “THE are saying.” MONKEY’S PAW!” “We had the first wish granted,” said the He started up in alarm. “Where? Where is old woman, desperately; “why not the it? What’s the matter?” second?”

“A c-c-coincidence,” said the old man. woman, with burning eyes, walked to the “Go get it and wish,” cried his wife, window and opened the curtains. shaking with excitement. He sat until he could no longer bear the The old man turned and looked at her, and cold, looking up from time to time at the his voice shook. “He has been dead ten figure of his wife staring through the days, and besides he – I would not tell you window. The candle, which had almost before, but – I could only recognize him burned to the bottom, was throwing by his clothing. If he was too terrible for moving shadows around the room. When you to see then, how now?” the candle finally went out, the old man, with an unspeakable sense of relief at the “Bring him back,” cried the old woman, failure of the talisman, went slowly back and pulled him towards the door. “Do you back to his bed, and a minute afterward think I fear the child I have nursed?” the old woman came silently and lay He went down in the darkness, and felt his without movement beside him. way to the living room, and then to the Neither spoke, but lay silently listening to fireplace. The talisman was in its place on the ticking of the clock. They heard the shelf, and then a horrible fear came nothing else other than the normal night over him that the unspoken wish might sounds. The darkness was depressing, and bring the broken body of his son before after lying for some time building up his him before he could escape from the courage, the husband took the box of room. He caught his breath as he found matches, and lighting one, went that he had lost the direction of the door. downstairs for another candle. His forehead cold with sweat, he felt his way round the table and along the walls At the foot of the stairs the match went until he found himself at the bottom of the out, and he stopped to light another; and stairs with the evil thing in his hand. at the same moment a knock sounded on the front door. It was so quiet that it could Even his wife’s face seemed changed as only be heard downstairs, as if the one he entered the room. It was white and knocking wanted to keep their coming a expectant, and to his fears seemed to have secret. an unnatural look upon it. He was afraid of her. The matches fell from his hand. He stood “WISH!” she cried in a strong voice. motionless, not even breathing, until the knock was repeated. Then he turned and “It is foolish and wicked,” he said weakly. ran quickly back to his room, and closed the door behind him. A third knock “WISH!” repeated his wife. sounded through the house. He raised his hand. “I wish my son alive “WHAT’S THAT?” cried the old woman, again.” sitting up quickly. The talisman fell to the floor, and he “A rat,” said the old man shakily – “a rat. looked at it fearfully. Then he sank into a It passed me on the stairs.” chair and the old

His wife sat up in bed listening. A loud the same moment he found the knock echoed through the house. monkeys’s paw, and frantically breathed his third and last wish. “It’s Herbert!” she screamed. “It’s Herbert!” The knocking stopped suddenly, although the echoes of it were still in the house. He She ran to the door, but her husband was heard the chair pulled back, and the door there before her, and catching her by the opened. A cold wind blew up the arm, held her tightly. “What are you going staircase, and a long loud cry of to do?” he asked in a low, scared voice. disappointment and pain from his wife gave him the courage to run down to her “It’s my boy; it’s Herbert!” she cried, side, and then to the gate. The streetlight struggling automatically. “I forgot it was opposite shone on a quiet and deserted two miles away. What are you holding me road. for? Let go. I must open the door.” “For God’s sake don’t let it in,” cried the old man, shaking with fear. “You’re afraid of your own son,” she cried struggling. “Let me go. I’m coming, Herbert; I’m coming.” There was another knock, and another. The old woman with a sudden pull broke free and ran from the room. Her husband followed to the top of the stairs, and called after her as she hurried down. He heard the chain pulled back and the bottom lock open. Then the old woman’s voice, desperate and breathing heavily. “The top lock,” she cried loudly. “Come down. I can’t reach it.” But her husband was on his hands and knees feeling around wildly on the floor in search of the paw. If only he could find it before the thing outside got in. The knocks came very quickly now echoing through the house, and he heard the noise of his wife moving a chair and putting it down against the door. He heard the movement of the lock as she began to open it, and at

COMPREHENSION DRAWING 1. What does the mother want the father to use the second wish for? Include a CONCLUSIONS quote from the story to support your response. 2. Why does the father hesitate to do this? Include a quote from the story to support your response. 3. Quote for examples from the story which illustrate how the author created suspense after the second wish was made. 4. What was the third wish? How do we know? Include a quote from the story to support your response. LITERARY 5. Do you think the father made the correct decision at the end of the story? Why? ANALYSIS 6. What was the theme of the story? What message or moral was the author trying to convey? 7. How do the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story? 8. What was the climax of the story? How is the resolution in this story similar to the resolution of The Most Dangerous Game? Most stories use 6 basic elements to form the basis of the plot. First is exposition, where the setting, characters, and conflict are introduced. Within this beginning part of the story, there is an inciting incident - some event which triggers an increase in action or complications for the protagonist (main character). This increase in tension or suspense is the rising action. The rising action leads to an unavoidable dilemma that results in some confrontation. The main character must face the conflict and either overcome it or be overcome. After the conflict, the action slows down quickly and the story resolves. This ending is called the resolution or denouement. This is where readers realize the moral of the story, even if it is left unsaid by the author.

LITERARY ELEMENTS Climax The climax occurs when the representative of Maw and Meggins tells Mr. and Mrs. White that their son died in an accident at work. He also informs them that they will receive £200 as compensation for their son's death—the exact amount that Mr. White had wished for with the monkey's paw. Conflict: Man vs Fate Sergeant-Major Morris tells the Whites that the old fakir who cast a spell on the mummy's paw \"wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow.\" But Mr. White wishes to challenge fate—perhaps to show that there is no such thing as fate in the first place or, if there is, that he can get his wish granted without incurring the wrath of fate. So he wishes for 200 pounds. Later, he is told he will get the money—as compensation for the tragic death of his son. In his 1849 poem \"Resignation,\" Matthew Arnold wrote, \"They . . . who await / No gifts from chance, have conquer'd fate.\" Theme: Horror Jacobs craftily spins a tale in which horror overwhelms two of the characters—and perhaps not a few readers. He begins with a scene of a peaceful contentment: The elderly Mr. White and his son Herbert enjoy a game of chess in the parlor while Mrs. White sits knitting nearby. The glow of a fireplace warms the room. Outside, though, it is dark and cold and stormy, hinting of ominous events to come. A guest arrives, tells stories, dines with the Whites, and leaves behind a curious talisman, a monkey's paw, that supposedly grants three wishes to its possessor. Later, Mr. White holds up the talisman and makes his first wish. The next day the wish is granted—at the cost of Herbert's life. He is mangled in a machine while at work. Then Mrs. White wonders whether a second wish can bring him back to life, and the story moves swiftly to its terrifying conclusion. The Peril of Foolhardy Risks .Mr. White tends to act without due consideration of the consequences. This tendency first manifests itself in a chess game in which he subjects his king to \"sharp and unnecessary perils.\" His inclination to act hastily manifests itself again when he risks suffering a burn to retrieve the monkey's paw from the glowing parlor fire. When Morris urges him to throw it back, he keeps it. Clearly he wants to test the power of the talisman. And he does so even though Sergeant Morris had warned him of the possibility of dire consequences.

Having Everything—and Wanting More .After taking possession of the monkey's paw, Mr. White tells his wife and son, \"I don't know what to wish for, and that's a fact. It seems to me I've got all I want.\" Then he follows his son's advice to wish for £200. If there is a message here, it is this: Be satisfied if you are already leading a comfortable life. Wanting more leads to greed, and greed can lead to trouble. Foreshadowing .Mr. White's reckless move in the chess game foreshadows his reckless desire to try out the monkey's paw. For more about White's tendency to leap before he looks, see Themes, The Peril of Foolhardy Risks. The House as a Symbol .The Whites gather in the parlor of their comfortable home far from the hubbub of city life and shut in from the inclement weather. They are safe and secure, and they are warm and happy near the glow of the fireplace. One might say they have their own little Garden of Eden. When Sergeant-Major Morris visits the family, he brings with him a strange talisman, a monkey's paw, that grants wishes. Even though Mr. White says he has all that he wants, he makes a wish. Then, he says, the talisman twists in his hand \"like a snake.\" Thus, a \"serpent\" has invaded the home just as a serpent invaded the Garden of Eden, and it has tempted the curious Mr. White figuratively to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. But he brings ruin on his family just as Adam and Eve brought ruin on themselves. It is interesting to note that the name of the Whites' house is Laburnum villa. Laburnum is a a genus of shrubs and trees with poisonous bark, leaves, and seeds.