Arrogance In Specimen 313 And The Monkey's Paw

Everyone wants to gain and feel a sense of self-confidence, but newly formed confidence may be transformed into a self-harming arrogance; An underlying theme of hubris is presented through the decisions and consequences the characters of Jeff Strand’s short story “Specimen 313” and W.W Jacobs’ short story “The Monkey’s Paw” face. Doctor Prethorius, portrayed in “Specimen 313,” and Mr., Mrs., and Hubert White presented in “The Monkey’s Paw” receive an opportunity that presents a chance for a boost in power which quickly creates a feeling of hubris that overcomes the characters from both stories. The resources and knowledge the doctor possesses along with the White family’s ability to have its every wish granted both become a source of dangerous

This opportunity for a positive change presents itself in both Jeff Strand’s “Specimen 313’ and W.W Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw.” “Specimen 313’s” Doctor Prethorius states, “…They all ridiculed me, but now it is I who will be administering the ridicule...We’ll see who’s not a genius,” indicating his need to boost his self-confidence and prove that he is better than the people who had ridiculed him in the past (Strand 70). Similar to the Doctor’s need to surpass the other people in his life, the White family from “The Monkey’s Paw” had wished to gain money quickly as a result of their desire to higher their status in society. The son of the White family, Hubert states, “Why we’re going to be rich and famous and happy. Wish to be an emperor, father, to begin with; then you can’t be henpecked;” this serves as an indication of the White families’ desires (Jacobs 12). Both Doctor Prethorius and the White family posses arrogance that overlaps, hazardously, with opportunity and

Although warned, Mr. White wishes for two hundred pounds; as a result of acting upon the overwhelming sense of hubris, Mr., and Ms., White receive their 200 pounds as a manner of compensation. In contrast to the White Family’s options, Doctor Prethorius does not once mention the possible dangers of mutating small Venus flytraps in order to create large, unnatural and human like plants; he views these as closer advancements to use to prove the people who have humiliated him wrong and that he is a genius (70 Strand). The doctor finds a way to advance himself in life scientifically with all of his experiments; he then takes advantage of this feeling of extra self-confidence and continues his experiments to better the results each time. When the power to to be above those who have ridiculed you for so long comes a convenience, self-confidence advances into Arrogance. He deiced to keep improving and create more dangerous and impressive plants. His final project, Specimen 313, has become so advanced,