The Use Of Motifs In The Scarlet Ibis And The Monkey's Paw

Death by the Hands of One’s Loved Ones Whether it be an item, image, idea, or concept, motifs are frequently present within works of literature to create an even greater effect on the reader. Two of which include “The Monkey’s Paw” written by W. W. Jacobs and “The Scarlet Ibis” written by James Hurst. In Jacobs’s short story, the White family is introduced to a monkey’s paw, an item with the capability of granting three owners three wishes, by their friend, Sergeant-Major Morris. The family consists of three members: Mr. White, Mrs. White, and their son, Herbert White. Mister White, being the third and final holder of the paw, wishes for two-hundred pounds to pay off the family’s mortgage. As a result of Mr. White’s selfishness and the paw’s

W. Jacobs’s “The Monkey’s Paw” and James Hurst’s “The Scarlet Ibis.” The motif of three in “The Monkey’s Paw” is found throughout the setting in the house, weather, and time of the story to create a dark and eerie mood. A melancholy mood was also created in “The Scarlet Ibis” through the red nature of the setting and the motif’s connection to death. In addition, the motifs adds foreshadowing, such as in the number three’s evil association with the paw’s creator, the paw itself, and the paw’s consequences. Another example includes the color red, the weakness it represents, and its use to foreshadow Doodle’s death. Lastly, the motifs of three and red are used to emphasize the theme of the consequences of selfishness where a man’s greed brought the death of his son and a boy’s self-centered desires caused the death of his own brother. Alike in the use of motifs and its effect on the story, “The Monkey’s Paw” and “The Scarlet Ibis” are connected. Not only these two short stories but all works of literature have a message, a purpose. “The Monkey’s Paw” teaches of the consequences of fate, importance of gratitude, and the evil of selfishness. “The Scarlet Ibis” shows the bond of brothers, cruelty of love, and control that both selfishness and pride have on lives. It would do their deaths justice for one to learn from the sacrifice Herbert and Doodle made for the sake of those they