The pursuit of control in every circumstance of WW. Jacob's "The Monkey's Paw" bears bitter fruit. The more each character attempts to control people and circumstances, the more futile their pursuit becomes. The lesson is, therefore, one should only look to control one's self. This theme is clearly seen from the beginning of the story, when the father pays no heed to a sergeants warning about a mysterious monkey paw. The sergeant, after explaining that the paw grants wishes to its owner, throws the paw upon a fire, to prevent another from facing its cruelty. However, the father "stopped down and snatched it off" and refused to "pitch it on the fire again, like a sensible man." It is here, where the chase for control leads to downfall. In fact,