The Monkey's Paw Analysis

Everyone has wished that they could have there own wishes at one point or another. Most people do not think about the consequences that can come from their own wishes. In the short story, “The Monkey 's Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, Sergeant Major-Morris returns from war and arrives in the White family home. Mr.White notices a monkey’s paw that Sergeant Major-Morris had been carrying with him and starts to ponder its purpose. Mr. White learns that it gives three people, three wishes. He also learns that these wishes come with a devastating price each time used. Sergeant Major-Morris tries to destroy it, but Mr.White saves and says that he will be last person to use its last three wishes. Sergeant-Major Morris warns them about the consequences that can

After Herbert had died, Mr. and Mrs. White continued on with their lives but never really looking forward.They never forgot how he died or the fact that he did die. Mrs.White kept pondering of ways that she could see her son again. After some time had past she came to the conclusion that she should get her husband to wish him back. She immediately rushed over to him and began begging. She pleaded to him and begged for him to bring Herbert back to her. “‘Get it’ she panted. ‘Get it quickly, and wish-oh, my boy, my boy!’” (Jacobs 175). Mrs. White is so held up in the possibility that she could have her son back, that she does not realize what got him to where he is now. The monkey’s paw is what caused Herbert to die. She wants to use that same thing to bring him back. With Sergeant-Major Morris appearing and bringing the monkey’s paw into their lives, Mrs.White now has had an internal impact put on her. His presence ended up conflicting Mrs.White so much to the point where her human sanity was gone. She did not care about the side effects. Mr.White did end up wishing him back but Mr.White will never be able to see the same wife he used to know and love. If Sergeant Major-Morris was not there then she would still be

and Mrs.White. At first Mr. and Mrs.White were a normal family like any other. Then once Sergeant Major-Morris arrives and gives the monkey’s paw to Mr.White it all goes downhill. With the unexpected consequence of Herbert’s death. Then to the moment where they would never even look at each other because of the trauma they went through. When they first received the two-hundred pounds they were so shocked that Mr.White collapsed. After the son’s death, “But the days passed, and expectation gave place to resignation-of the old, sometimes miscalled apathy. Sometimes they hardly exchanged a word, for now they had nothing to talk about, and their days were long to weariness” (Jacobs 175). They never wanted any of what they did receive. Yes, they did receive the two-hundred pounds but at a cost that is not worth the two-hundred pounds. Ambition got the better of them after being warned about the paw. This tension and pain between the family is caused by Sergeant Major-Morris. His presence did so much more damage than what the Whites expected. If he never even arrived then Herbert would be alive, Mrs.White could regain her sanity, and Mr. and Mrs.White could talk to each other again. But since he did show up all of that can not happen. He was right in the sense that you do get what you ask for but the cost is