The Monkey's Paw: A Supernatural Twist on the Be Careful What You Wish For Trope

The Monkey's Paw ; W. W. Jacobs

by W. W. Jacobs

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	672 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	21 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The Monkey's Paw is a classic horror short story by W. W. Jacobs first published in 1902. It has been adapted into numerous films, television episodes, and other media. The story follows a family that is granted three wishes by a mysterious monkey's paw. However, each wish comes with a terrible price.

The story begins with Mr. and Mrs. White, a working-class couple who live in a small house in London. One evening, their son, Herbert, comes home from work with a strange souvenir: a mummified monkey's paw. Herbert tells his parents that he got the paw from an old fakir in India, who claimed that it had the power to grant three wishes.

Mr. and Mrs. White are skeptical, but they eventually agree to make a wish. Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds, which he hopes will help them pay off their mortgage. The next day, Mr. White receives a letter informing him that his uncle has died and left him 200 pounds.

Herbert is delighted, and he decides to make a wish of his own. He wishes for a new car. The next day, Herbert is hit by a car and killed. Mr. and Mrs. White are devastated, but they decide to make one final wish.

Mrs. White wishes for Herbert to be brought back to life. The next moment, Herbert appears in the doorway, but he is not the same boy they remember. He is now a cold, heartless stranger. Mr. and Mrs. White are horrified, and they realize that they have made a terrible mistake.

The Monkey's Paw is a classic example of the "be careful what you wish for" trope. The story shows that even the most innocent wishes can have unintended consequences. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of being content with what we have.

The Supernatural Element

The Monkey's Paw is a supernatural story, and the monkey's paw itself is a magical object. The paw is able to grant wishes, but it does so at a terrible price. Each wish comes with a corresponding misfortune, and the more powerful the wish, the greater the misfortune.

The supernatural element in The Monkey's Paw is subtle, but it is effective. Jacobs does not go into great detail about the origins of the monkey's paw or how it works. Instead, he lets the reader's imagination fill in the blanks. This makes the story more mysterious and frightening.

The Characters

The characters in The Monkey's Paw are well-developed and believable. Mr. and Mrs. White are a typical working-class couple who are struggling to make ends meet. They are kind and loving, but they are also flawed. They are both greedy and selfish, and they make the mistake of wishing for more than they need.

Herbert is a young man who is full of hope and ambition. He is excited about the possibility of getting a new car, but he does not realize the danger that he is in. He is the one who pays the ultimate price for his parents' wishes.

The Setting

The Monkey's Paw is set in a small house in London. The house is described as being "small and mean," and it reflects the family's financial struggles. The house is also isolated, which adds to the sense of unease.

The story takes place over the course of a few days, and the weather is described as being cold and dreary. This weather reflects the mood of the story, which is one of sadness and regret.

The Themes

The Monkey's Paw is a story with many themes, including the dangers of greed, the importance of being content with what we have, and the power of fate. The story shows that even the most innocent wishes can have unintended consequences, and that we should be careful what we wish for.

The Monkey's Paw is a classic horror story that has stood the test of time. The story is well-written, suspenseful, and thought-provoking. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of being content with what we have.

The Monkey's Paw ; W. W. Jacobs

by W. W. Jacobs

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	672 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	21 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE