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The Three Decisions Depicted In W. Jacobs The Monkey's Paw

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If one could have three wishes, they would want to wish for something of value. In Mr. and Mrs. In White's situation, they had three wishes and they took them, but when they came true it was not the outcome that they were expecting. The short story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs illustrates that the fate of actions, decisions one makes, and the actions of their greed can lead to unexplainable events in the aftermath. The decisions that Mr. and Mrs. White made by taking their first wish, led to the death of their son Herbert. In the text it states, “‘I wish for my son to live again’”(115). When they wished for Herbert to come back, they hoped he would be the same as he was before. Once he came back, they were fearful to let him in because …show more content…

They make many wishes after being warned about the consequences. In the short story it states,“I wish for two hundred pounds''(109). People who wish on the paw must wish for something substantial. Even if one tries to wish for something sensible, it does not mean that it is the right choice. The paw is a symbol of their greed by wishing for an abundant amount. “. . . If you keep it, don’t blame me for what happens. . .”(108). “ If you must wish. . . wish for something sensible”(109). Even when Sergeant Major Morris told them to not make a wish and they did not listen to him. After many warnings, they did not listen to him. The consequences of the paw show that because of their greed, after the many warnings they received, they still wanted and made three wishes on the paw. The short story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs illustrates that the fate of actions, decisions one makes, and the actions of their greed can lead to unexplainable events in the aftermath. Mr and Mrs White should have been more mindful about their decision to writ on the PA after many warnings and not only doing it once but many times. The overall theme of the monkey's paw is to not interfere with one's fate, which the white family does many times and lends them to face a consequence each time they

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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.

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The person responsible for the misfortune to the White family in the Monkey's paw is Mr. White. The Monkey’s Paw is a short story by W.W. Jacobs is a story about a paw that grants three people three wishes. The family gets the paw but the catch is that each wish comes at a cost. The family's first son causes their son's death.

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The monkey's paw is just like the quote, “Be careful what you wish for it will surely be yours” (Baldwin 3). One of the ways is when the Whites wished for 200 pounds to pay off their home. How they got the money was by way of their son. He died at work due to falling into the machines. The Whites got a settlement for his death.

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In the short story, “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, one identified mood is suspenseful due to the consequences of the wishes made using the monkey’s paw. The day after Mr.White had wished for 200 pounds using the monkey’s paw, the family was still hung up on it, especially Mrs.White. When she received the mail she checked to see if the wish came true because she remembered the Sergeant saying the wish happens so naturally it almost seems like a coincidence. On page 35 it states, “All of which did not prevent her from scurrying to the door at the postman’s knock, nor prevent her from referring somewhat shortly to retired sergeant-majors of bibulous habits when she found that the post brought a tailor’s bill.” Mrs.White’s actions show that even though the wish was made last night they are still waiting for the 200 pounds to show up and they are paying attention, as it could happen any time, and randomly.

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Furthermore, when asked if his wishes came true, he replied, “I did”. ( 9). This started all sorts of ideas and possibilities in the Whites’ minds, thinking of how with the paw they can get all they ever wanted. Knowing what happens to the family later in the story, if we think about it, if Sergeant-Major Morris had never told the story behind the paw or that it worked they would have never wanted it. In short, if Sergeant-Major Morris

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Restate point one: The intensive essence of the paw bring out the greed and desire us humans hold. Restate point two: Appealing in power but dreadful in experience encourage one to re-think their choices and reflect.

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White knows that her wish will bring only more disappointment to her, so he decides to make the final wish that their son Herbert will leave and not return. Majority of their wishes are innocent and they are only trying to bring their happiness back, but this wish is harsher. There are a few sudden knocks on the front door after Mrs. White makes her wish. Mr. White knows it is Herbert at the door and that he has to do something before it is too late. “If he [can] only find it before the thing outside [gets] in.

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(Jacobs. 1. 1) Mr. and Mrs. White are reluctant to even attempt to make a wish on the paw, while Herbert acts as the whole affair is a large joke and

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The Monkey’s Paw is about the White family, consisting of Mr., Mrs., and the son Herbert White, aquiring a monkey’s paw that has a curse on it that lets the family ask three wishes. The family uses one wish to get 200,000 dollars. But this wish comes with a price, as Herbert dies in machinery at work, the family is given 200,000 dollars as a compensation.

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The conflict in the story is not only the monkey’s paw but was somewhat Mr. White’s attitude. If he never was that greedy the story would have changed he would have agreed with Morris and burned the monkey’s paw but he didn’t want to do that creating the plot. Any change in the plot could have/ would have altered the course of the story but also altering the theme. In “The Monkey’s Paw,” the downfall of the White family is when they receive the two hundred pounds as a compensation for the son’s death which was actually caused by messing with fate.

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The third reason is the events that happen that lead to the theme. First when Mr.White wished for two pounds. White’s first received the monkey 's paw they wished for some compensations which were the two hundred pounds. When he wished for Two hundred pounds”A fine crash from the piano greeted the words, interrupted by a shuddering cry from the old man. His wife and son ran toward him.”

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