Explore the theme of fate and superstition in "The Monkey's Paw." How do the characters' beliefs in the paw's magical powers affect ...Read More
Prompt Examples for "The Monkey's Paw" Essays
Fate and Superstition
Explore the theme of fate and superstition in "The Monkey's Paw." How do the characters' beliefs in the paw's magical powers affect their actions and decisions?
Consequences of Greed
Analyze the role of greed in the story. How does the desire for wealth and power lead to tragic outcomes, and what does this reveal about the dangers of unchecked ambition?
Wishes and Their Irony
Discuss the irony in the granting of wishes through the monkey's paw. How do the wishes made by the characters result in unexpected and often dire consequences?
The Supernatural and Horror
Examine the use of supernatural elements and horror in the narrative. How does the author create a sense of suspense and fear, and what makes "The Monkey's Paw" a classic of the horror genre?
Parent-Child Relationships
Consider the dynamics of the parent-child relationship in the story. How do Mr. and Mrs. White's feelings for their son, Herbert, influence their actions and decisions?
Foreshadowing and Suspense
Analyze the use of foreshadowing and suspense in the narrative. How does the author build tension and anticipation throughout the story, leading to its shocking conclusion?
Hook Examples for "The Monkey's Paw" Essays
Anecdotal Hook
"As I ventured into the eerie world of 'The Monkey's Paw,' I couldn't help but reflect on the haunting consequences of wishes and the age-old warning: 'Be careful what you wish for.'"
Rhetorical Question Hook
"What if you held in your hand a talisman that could grant your deepest desires, but at a steep cost? 'The Monkey's Paw' prompts us to ponder the price of our desires and the consequences of our actions."
Startling Quote Hook
"'It had a spell put on it by an old fakir,' said the sergeant-major. These words set the stage for a tale of supernatural intrigue and cautionary wishes. 'The Monkey's Paw' serves as a chilling reminder of the unknown."
Setting and Atmosphere Hook
"In the dimly lit parlor of the Whites' home on a stormy night, 'The Monkey's Paw' unfolds, enveloping readers in an atmosphere of suspense and dread. Explore the eerie ambiance that lingers throughout the story."
Narrative Hook
"Join the White family as they grapple with the otherworldly consequences of their wishes and the relentless paw that grants them. This narrative captures the essence of W.W. Jacobs' storytelling."
Moral Dilemma Hook
"What moral dilemmas do the characters face when given the power to change their fate? Analyzing the ethical choices made in 'The Monkey's Paw' prompts reflection on the consequences of our desires."
Supernatural Elements Hook
"How does the supernatural play a role in 'The Monkey's Paw,' blurring the lines between reality and the unknown? Delve into the eerie elements that shape the story's outcome."
Wish Fulfillment Hook
"What drives the characters to make their wishes, and what do their desires reveal about human nature? Exploring the theme of wish fulfillment adds depth to the narrative."
Consequences of Actions Hook
"What are the consequences of the characters' actions in 'The Monkey's Paw,' and how do they echo the age-old warning about tampering with fate? Examining the story's impact offers valuable insights."
Literary Legacy Hook
"How does 'The Monkey's Paw' contribute to W.W. Jacobs' literary legacy? Exploring the story's place in the realm of supernatural fiction reveals its enduring significance in literature."
At the beginning of the ‘The Monkey’s Paw’, Jacobs describes the night as 'cold and wet', where as Jacobs describes the Whites' home by saying 'the fire burned brightly'. This contrast makes the reader associate the outside with dark, cold and bad while associating the...
The Monkey’s Paw is a short story written by W.W. Jacobs in which an older couple (Mr. and Mrs. White) and their adult son (Herbert) acquire a supposedly magic rabbit’s paw from a soldier called Major-Major Morris. The major tells the family that he gained...
Greed is a desire that has been imprinted in men’s nature since the beginning of time. W. W. Jacob’s short story “The Monkey’s Paw” is a piece that depicts and reawakens men’s thoughts and beliefs on the seemingly important factors in life. It captures a...
Prompt Examples for W.W. Jacobs Essay Internal Struggles: Examine the internal conflicts faced by the characters in “The Monkey’s Paw” and how these conflicts drive the narrative. Supernatural vs. Reality: Analyze the conflict between the supernatural elements presented by the monkey’s paw and the realistic...
Numerous authors around the world have depicted human nature as ways in which people think, feel and act. W.W. Jacobs, in his short story, “The Monkey’s Paw” paints a rather negative picture about human nature. He portrays a family which falls under a spell cast...
The Monkey’s Paw: short story vs movie analysis Upon reading the short story “The Monkey’s Paw” written by W. W. Jacobs and the interpretive film The Monkey’s Paw by Ricky Lewis Jr. , it is possible to determine a similar reflection of plot events and...
In “The Monkey’s Paw,” author William Jacobs delivers a cautionary tale about unexpected consequences and how achieving what we wish for might prove catastrophic in ways we would not expect. This terrifying story follows the White family who receive a talisman, a monkey’s paw that...
Foreshadowing is a literary device that serves as a storyteller’s tool to hint at events to come, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and suspense for readers. In W.W. Jacobs’ chilling short story “The Monkey’s Paw,” foreshadowing is masterfully employed to build tension and forewarn of...
“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs is a classic short story that is known for its use of foreshadowing to build tension and create a sense of impending doom. Foreshadowing is a literary technique where the author hints at future events in the story, giving...
In W.W. Jacobs’ short story “The Monkey’s Paw,” the theme of hubris and its consequences is evident throughout the narrative. The story opens with the visit of Sergeant-Major Morris, who shares the tale of the magical monkey’s paw that grants three wishes. Despite Morris’s warnings...
“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs is a classic short story that explores the consequences of having three wishes granted by a magical monkey’s paw. The tale follows the White family as they come into possession of the paw and are given three wishes. However,...
I. Introduction In the realm of classic horror fiction, few stories are as chilling and captivating as W.W. Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw.” This timeless tale follows the White family as they come into possession of a mystical monkey’s paw that grants three wishes, but at...
Introduction The Monkey’s Paw is a short story written by W.W. Jacobs in 1902. It tells the story of a magical monkey’s paw that grants three wishes to its owner. However, as with all things that come with a price, the wishes have dire consequences....
The short story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs is a classic example of a horror story that uses symbolism to convey its themes. The story revolves around a magical monkey’s paw that grants its owner three wishes, but with disastrous consequences. This essay will...
The short story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs is a classic example of a thrilling and suspenseful narrative. From the very beginning, the author manages to capture the reader’s attention and maintain it throughout the story, creating a sense of tension and anticipation. This...
Made-to-order essay as fast as you need it Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences + experts online Get my essay The Use of Irony in The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs W.W. Jacobs’ story “The Monkey’s Paw” is really something else...
The Monkey’s Paw is a classic horror short story written by W.W. Jacobs. One of the most notable literary devices used throughout the text is foreshadowing. Foreshadowing is a technique in which an author hints at events or outcomes that will happen later in the...
Herbert White, Mr. White, Mr. White, Sergeant-Major Morris, The Representative
Date and Author
September 1902, by W. W. Jacobs
Genre
Horror short story
Plot
The story centres on a dried, shrunken monkey’s paw that is said to have the power to grant its possessor three wishes.
Theme
The main themes in “The Monkey's Paw” are fate, the unknown, and grief and loss.
Characters
Mr. White, Mrs. White, Herbert White, Sergeant-Major Morris, The Man from Maw and Meggins, The Monkey.
Based on
Jacobs drew from a number of widely known literary sources in writing “The Monkey's Paw” to make the story both familiar and unsettling. His most recognizable influence was the tale of Aladdin and the magic lamp, one of the more famous tales in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights, or simply Arabian Nights, as Mrs.
Quotes
“But the days passed, and expectations gave way to resignation—the hopeless resignation of the old, sometimes miscalled apathy.”
“Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.”
