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The Monkey's Paw Summary
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The Monkey's Paw by W. W Jacobs
ABOUT THIS STORY
The Monkey's Paw by W. W Jacobs
"The Monkey’s Paw" by W. W. Jacobs (1863–1943) is a short classic of the horror genre. Here in this short story, Jacobs has provided suspense, a building sense of danger, and real drama, as well as bringing in such themes as family tragedy and the problems with imperialism. Mainly, though, it’s a classic tale of three wishes that has been imitated and retold many times since (including in The Simpsons).
SHORT SUMMARY
The Monkey's Paw by W. W Jacobs
On a cold winter night, an elderly man, Mr. White, is at home with his wife and their son, Herbert. Later, both father and son start playing chess. Mrs. White engages herself in knitting while sitting near the fire. Meanwhile, a Sergeant-Major named Morris appears and tells the White family of his experiences serving in the British Army in India. Later, he shows them a talisman that he has: a mummified monkey's paw, on which an Indian fakir or holy man casts a spell, allowing three different men to ask the monkey's paw three wishes.
The monkey's paw is an amulet or object believed to have magical powers and bring good luck. Whoever has the monkey's paw is allowed to make three wishes, which will be granted.
Morris tells White about the first man who owned the paw and made three wishes. That man asked for death as his third and final wish; this is how Morris's got a chance to own the paw after that man. He doesn't reveal which of the three wishes he has asked for himself from the paw, but he clearly has the impression that only a fool would ask for his three wishes. Later, he advises White not to take the paw from him. He even throws the monkey's paw on a fire to try to stop his friend, Mr. White, from taking it. However, Mr. White takes the paw out of the flames. After the departure of Morris and prompted by his son, Mr. White asks for the first wish of two hundred pounds from the paw.
The next morning, Mr. White's son Herbert goes to work, and both Mr. and Mrs. White discuss the wish that the husband made the night before. Later that day, a smartly dressed man comes to the house with bad news. Earlier that day, his son had died in an accident at work after being hit by machinery. The man, who represents the firm that Herbert worked for, reveals that the company would like to offer Mr. and Mrs. White a sum as compensation. The sum is two hundred pounds. Mr. White immediately faints at this news.
The third part of the story opens with a scene from a few weeks later. The whites have buried their son and are mourning. One night, Mrs. White, who has apparently come to terms with her son's horrific death, wakes her husband in the middle of the night and, in desperation, asks him to bring the monkey's paw and make one last wish. She tells him to use the monkey's paw for their last wish, in which she desires to see their son Herbert alive once again.
The husband seems reluctant to fulfil such a request but eventually agrees. He bestows upon the monkey's paw his son's life, and both husband and wife lie awake that night, waiting and hoping. Then there is a knock at the door, and Mrs. White recognises the figure at the door as Herbert. She begs her husband to let her son, Herbert, in.
But as the object at the door battles the door to gain entry, Mr. White is horrified by the broken resuscitation 'thing' that he fears is trying to get inside the house. He grabs the monkey's paw. and quickly makes his third and final wish. The noise stops at the door immediately, and he opens the front door to find the street outside deserted. His wife cries out in despair. All three of Mr. and Mrs. White's wishes have now been granted by the monkey's paw without failure.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The Monkey's Paw by W. W Jacobs
Pre-Reading:
1. What does the word fate mean to you? Do you believe in fate? Explain.
Answer:
Fate is the idea that events are predetermined and inevitable. Yes, I believe in fate. Fate is personal beliefs and experiences.
During Reading:
1. What type of mood is established in the beginning of the story? What helps determine that sense of feeling?
Answer:
In the beginning of the story, the mood is somber and cold. The setting on a cold winter night and the mention of playing chess create a serious atmosphere.
2. What magical ability does the monkey's paw have?
Answer:
The monkey's paw is believed to grant three wishes to its possessor.
3. Why did the fakir place a spell on the paw?
Answer:
The fakir placed a spell on the paw to show that fate ruled people's lives and those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow.
4. Sergeant Major Morris's face whitens when he reveals that he has had three wishes. What can you infer about the paw?
Answer:
I can infer that the paw has consequences or brings misfortune, as evidenced by Morris's reaction to his own three wishes.
5. What is probably upsetting the sergeant-major about the White family's lightheartedness toward the paw?
Answer:
The sergeant-major is likely upset because he knows the potential dangers and consequences associated with the monkey's paw.
6. What was the first man's third wish? How might this be an example of foreshadowing?
Answer:
The first man wished for death as his third wish. This foreshadows the tragic outcome of making wishes with the monkey's paw.
7. Why doesn't Mr. White know what to wish for? What is Mr. White's first wish?
Answer:
Mr. White is unsure because the consequences are unclear. His first wish is for two hundred pounds.
8. What does the paw immediately do after the first wish? What can you infer from this?
Answer:
The paw moves in Mr. White's hand. This suggests that the wish is beginning to take effect.
9. What does Mr. White see in the fire the night of his first wish? How is this an example of foreshadowing?
Answer:
He sees a monkey's face in the fire, foreshadowing the consequences and potential horrors associated with the monkey's paw.
10. What are the family's feelings about the wish in the morning?
Answer:
They are optimistic and excited, as they believe their wish will be granted.
11. What do you suppose was the final wish?
Answer:
The final wish was likely to undo the consequences of the second wish, bringing their son back to life.
12. What do you think happened at the end of the story? What does he mean when Mr. White begs his wife not to let "it" into the house? What is he afraid of? Who or what was outside of the house?
Answer:
It is implied that something unnatural or horrific resulted from the final wish. Mr. White fears the resurrected form of his son, and "it" refers to this monstrous figure.
Interpretation and Evaluation Questions:
1. Foreshadowing: How does the quote "Be careful what you wish for, you may receive it" give the reader an idea about what may happen in the story (foreshadowing)?
Answer:
The quote suggests that wishes may have unintended and undesirable consequences, foreshadowing the negative outcomes associated with using the monkey's paw.
2. How does the setting impact the story?
Answer:
The cold, wintry setting contributes to the eerie and foreboding atmosphere of the story, enhancing the sense of suspense and supernatural elements.
Post-reading:
1. What is meant by the word fate? Tell what the visitor says about fate. Did the Whites interfere with fate? Explain.
Answer:
Fate is the idea that events are predetermined. The visitor, Sergeant Major Morris, emphasizes that fate rules people's lives. The Whites interfered with fate by using the monkey's paw to alter their destiny.
2. Captain Morris tells his friend to make wishes sensibly. Why? Are Mr. White's wishes sensible? Explain. What alternatives did Mr. White have?
Answer:
Captain Morris advises sensibility to avoid unforeseen consequences. Mr. White's wishes are not sensible, as they lead to tragic outcomes. Alternatives could include not using the monkey's paw or wishing for something less risky and harmful.
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