The Monkey’s Paw
W.W. Jacobs, whose full name is William Wymark Jacobs (1863-1943), was an English author known for his short stories and novels, primarily in the genre of humor and horror. One of his most famous and enduring works is the short story “The Monkey’s Paw,” which was first published in 1902. This story has become a classic of horror fiction and is often included in anthologies of supernatural tales.
Summary of “The Monkey’s Paw”:
“The Monkey’s Paw” is a chilling and suspenseful story that revolves around the consequences of making wishes with a magical monkey’s paw. The tale begins with Mr. and Mrs. White and their son Herbert, who are visited by a family friend, Sergeant-Major Morris. He tells them about a magical monkey’s paw that can grant three wishes but warns them of the tragic consequences that often accompany these wishes.
Despite Morris’s warnings, the Whites are intrigued by the paw’s potential and persuade him to sell it to them. They make their first wish for a small sum of money, and it comes true, though in a horrifying manner—Herbert is killed in a factory accident, and the family receives the money as compensation. Grief-stricken, the Whites decide to use the monkey’s paw for a second wish: they wish for their son Herbert to come back from the dead.
Later that night, there is a knock at the door, and Mrs. White rushes to open it, convinced that their wish has brought Herbert back to life. However, when she flings open the door, there is nothing there. The couple is left with a sense of dread, realizing that their second wish was a mistake.
As the story unfolds, they realize that their wishes have caused more harm than good. They fear making the third and final wish, but they eventually succumb to temptation. Just as Mr. White makes the third wish, a series of loud knocking sounds is heard at the door. The story ends on an eerie note, leaving the fate of the Whites to the reader’s imagination.
“The Monkey’s Paw” is a cautionary tale that explores themes of greed, fate, and the consequences of tampering with the supernatural. It is a story that continues to captivate readers with its suspenseful storytelling and enduring message about the perils of unchecked desire.
Question and answer
1. Describe the weather and its influence on the theme.
Answer: The weather was cyclonic with strong winds and heavy downpour, creating an eerie and foreboding atmosphere that aligns with the story’s dark and supernatural themes.
2. What was special about the monkey’s paw?
Answer: The monkey’s paw was the dried-up remains of an exotic monkey, believed to possess magical powers capable of granting three wishes to its owner.
3. How did the first owner of the monkey’s paw use it?
Answer: The first owner made two wishes with the monkey’s paw, but the consequences of these wishes were so terrible that he ultimately made a third wish for his own death.
4. Why couldn’t Morris sell the monkey’s paw?
Answer: Morris couldn’t sell the monkey’s paw because he had suffered greatly from its effects and didn’t want to burden anyone else with its cursed power. Additionally, people were skeptical about its supposed magical abilities.
5. How did the Whites get the monkey’s paw?
Answer: Morris left the monkey’s paw at the Whites’ home, intentionally or accidentally, after Mr. White expressed curiosity about its powers.
6. How does Morris describe the monkey’s paw?
Answer: Morris describes the monkey’s paw as a mysterious object with the power to grant three wishes but warns that it often brings tragedy and misery along with the granted wishes.
7. What did Morris say about how to use the monkey’s paw? What was his warning to the Whites?
Answer: Morris cautioned the Whites to be cautious when making wishes with the monkey’s paw, as its consequences could be terrible. He warned them of the potential evil that could result from their desires.
8. What was the first wish? How was it made?
Answer: The first wish was for two hundred pounds. It was made casually in conversation when Herbert jokingly wished for the money.
9. Compare Mr. White’s and Herbert’s attitudes toward the monkey’s paw. Why was it logical that Herbert would be the victim of the first wish?
Answer: Mr. White was skeptical of the monkey’s paw’s powers, while Herbert was more adventurous and curious. Herbert’s casual wish for money made him the logical victim of the first wish.
10. What was the effect of the first wish?
Answer: The first wish resulted in the Whites receiving two hundred pounds, but it came at a terrible cost as their son Herbert was killed in a tragic accident at work.
11. Why didn’t Mr. White want to make the second wish?
Answer: Mr. White didn’t want to make the second wish because he was horrified by the consequences of the first wish, which led to their son’s death. He was reluctant to use the monkey’s paw again.
12. “Bring him back! Do you think I would fear my own son?” Why does Mrs. White say so?
Answer: Mrs. White is overcome with grief and desperation. She wants her son back, regardless of his condition, because she can’t bear the loss and wants to see him one more time.
13. What was the final wish?
Answer: The final wish was for Herbert to be brought back to life.
14. Did the Whites get what they really wanted? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: No, the Whites did not get what they really wanted. Although Herbert returned, he did so as a mangled and horrifying corpse, which was not the outcome they had hoped for.
15. What role did the author want the monkey’s paw to play here?
Answer: The author wanted the monkey’s paw to serve as a supernatural and malevolent force that would create suspense, tension, and horror in the story.
16. What did the holy man want to prove to people by putting the spell on the paw?
Answer: The holy man wanted to demonstrate that resorting to superstitions and magical solutions to worldly problems was dangerous and that people should not put their faith in such practices.
17. In your opinion, did the holy man make his point? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes, the holy man effectively made his point by illustrating the tragic consequences that befell those who used the monkey’s paw. The suffering of the Whites serves as a cautionary tale against seeking quick fixes and supernatural solutions to life’s problems.
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