Reading for Meaning: "The Monkey's Paw"
- Why does the story start with the father and son playing chess? Does the father’s strategy at the chess game tell you anything about his personality? If so, what?
- Note any of the characters’ actions you feel are significant on the chart below. What conclusions can you draw about each of the characters from analyzing their actions?
|
Character |
Action |
Conclusion |
|
Mr. White |
Yells about the foul weather and the poor condition of the road they live on. |
He’s frustrated because he has lost at chess and he is getting rid of his emotions. |
Mr. White |
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Mrs. White |
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Mrs. White |
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Herbert White |
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Herbert White |
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Major Morris |
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Major Morris |
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- Sergeant Major Morris describes the monkey's paw in this way: "It had a spell put on it by an old fakir,…a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow. " p. 203. What does Morris’ statement mean when you first read it? What does it mean after you have read the entire story? Is his comment significant? If so, why?
- Why does Major Morris throw the monkey's paw onto the fire and why do the Whites react so strongly?
- What happens to Herbert White?
- What do you think happened at the end of the story? Why does Mr. White beg his wife not to let "it" into the house? What does he mean? What is he afraid of? Who or what was outside of the house?
- What makes Jacobs' style of writing unique? Read the following passage and think about how he puts his words together to create a mood. Underline words or passages that seem important to you.
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"…and a horrible fear that his wish would bring his mangled son before him ere he could escape from the room seized upon him , and he caught his breath as he found he had lost the direction of the door. His brow cold with sweat, he felt his way around the table, and groped along the wall until he found himself in the small passage with the unwholesome thing in his hand."
- How does Jacobs set the mood and/or tone of the story? How does he build suspense? Think about the way he uses silence as a way to create a mood. What does he describe at the end as the husband and wife lie in bed waiting for their wish to come true?
