In the story, “The Monkey’s Paw,” by WW Jacobs, the White family have their friend, Sargent- Major Morris over at their house. With him, he brought stories of the wars he fought in, but he also brought the story of The Monkey’s Paw, which was a legend that said that the three people who were in possession of the monkey’s paw were granted three wishes. Mr. White received the monkey’s paw from Sargent Major and decided to make a wish. The course of his events, documented in the story, were soon made into a movie.
This shows a contrast of the setting in the story. The upcoming quote can make a part of the story eerie. “The candle-end, which had burned below the rim of the China candle stick was, throwing pulsating shadows on the ceiling and walls, until, with a flicker larger, than the rest, it expired.” This is showing how a quote can make an eerie and scary in the story. This evidence concludes that W.W. Jacobs does a good job at creating a suspenseful and eerie story in “The Monkeys Paw.”
Foreshadowing is a very powerful literary device used in most, if not all, pieces of literature. Authors who intentionally add this aspect to their story use it as a way of building anticipation in the reader’s mind, thus adding the feeling of suspense. Ken Kesey masterfully applies this concept throughout his novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by utilizing the intricate web of connections that he spins between characters and other elements present in the text. McMurphy’s eventual downfall is foreshadowed through subjects that he is subtly linked to such as both the dog and Ruckly. McMurphy’s behavioural patterns are likened to a dog several times in times throughout the novel, such as when Chief Bromden describes him sitting down, “He goes over to his chair, gives another big stretch and yawn, sits down and moves around for a while like a dog coming to rest” (Kesey 48), and when Harding says, “Friend… you… may be a wolf… You have a very wolfy roar,” (67).
According to Dictionary.com, “ Talisman means, a stone, ring, or other object, engraved with figures or characters supposed to possess occult powers and warn as a necklace or charm. In the story The Monkey's Paw Mr. White gets a talisman from his friend that just got back from India from serving in the military. There are two different adaptations of the story, the original and the video adaptation. The video adaptation enhances the suspenseful mood of the original version of The Monkey's Paw. Some examples of it creating more suspense is when Mrs. White blames Mr. White for killing Herbert.
Thesis: In The Monkey's Paw by W.W Jacobs, the realistic essence of the monkey's paw made it fundamentally creepy. Point 1: The monkey's paw is a symbol for inclination for greed, exposing our superior wants as people, even the most humble. Point 2: Consequences for the actions of those using the paw develops the image of regret and fear. Point 3:
Imagine you were granted three wishes; and that's all. You can make whatever wishes you desire, but if not justifiable or reasonable, there could be a price to pay. The short story "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs discusses the alarming tale of an older couple being granted "three wishes" from a monkey's paw given to them. However, the purpose of the paw isn't to grant wishes; it is to show that you shouldn't change your fate. The film adaptation of the short story by Ricky Lewis Jr. also showcases that moral.
Greed is bad, in “The Monkey’s Paw” people had negativity against the paw, others examined the paw wondering how it works, others were worried about it the Coincidence that came with every wish made. Someone else was also wondering how it works, so he picked up the paw and made a wish for money to see if the wish would come true or not. However, without thinking about the coincidence it won’t lead to an happy ending when that person made the wish for money, the son dies because of the wish for money he made.
Two stories and two magical wishes. The Monkey’s Paw and the Story of an Hour share several similarities throughout the passage. In the beginning of each passage, the author creates a sense of mystery and curiosity for the readers. As each passage reveals the characters in the story, the reader begins to relate the characters role from each story and how they act towards the conflict in the text. These different events, conflicts, or plot in both stories connect with death and wishes.
The theme fear and suspicion first appears in “The Monkey’s Paw” when the sergeant- major comes to dinner and gives them the monkeys paw. Sergeant-major is welcomed into the house by the family and he talks about his travels to India. Then he brings out the gift that he has brought back for them. “There he is” said Herbert white as the gate banged loudly and heavy footsteps came towards the door.” Herbert and Mr. White were playing chess while they were waiting for their friend and when their friend arrived they went to the door and welcomed him in and sergeant-major talked about his travels and his gift he had for them.
Think Question 1: Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. How does the author of “The Monkey’s Paw” use foreshadowing in the first chapter to suggest that the spell placed on the paw might not bring happiness to whoever possesses it? Cite textual evidence from the selection to support your answer. Response 1: W. W. Jacobs uses foreshadowing in "The Monkey 's Paw" by having Sergeant-Major Morris recount his experience with the monkey’s paw. After Herbert asked Morris if he already requested his three wishes, Morris replies with, “‘I have,’...and his blotchy face whitened” (Jacobs).
That creates suspense because the reader wants to know why he wished for death. It foreshadows that the paw brings bad luck. Sergeant Major Morris also tells the Whites “…don’t blame me for what happens” (Jacobs 91). It foreshadows that something very bad is going to happen. Herbert foreshadows his death by saying the quote “Well I don’t see the money…and I bet I never shall”(134-135 Jacobs).
In the story “The Monkey’s Paw” the theme is don’t mess with fate and this story elements like character, setting, and plot all help contribute to the theme. The character’s emotions, reaction, and actions are a significant role in revealing the theme. The setting, though not realized as much actually shapes the story too. As normal, plot most definitely contributes to the theme. The character’s reaction contributes to the theme.
“Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality”-Edgar Allan Poe. All great horror stories represent that quote. There is one story that does not. “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs is not a horror story because there is not a monster, it is not believable, and it does not have a creepy setting. Classic horror stories usually have some sort of a monster in it, whether the monster is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or Frankenstein.
The story’s suspense goes up and down. The author of the story, Stella Duffy, elegantly uses literary devices to add flavor to the story. Hints are given early on, that the reader may only notice at the second or third read through, and foreshadowings are used in the story. A great example of a foreshadowing is on the last page in lines 166-177.
In the short story, The Monkey 's Paw we are first introduced to the White, the Mrs.White, Mr.White, and their son, Herbert White. Later in the story, we are introduced to Sergeant Major Morris who brought the mummy-like monkey’s paw to the Whites house. The theme of the Monkey 's paw is to never interfere with fate. The theme is shown through many forms in the short story. The forms are the events, the foreshadowing, and the actions.
