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Friday, October 1, 2010
"The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs
You've just read "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs. What did you think? Give us your review.
In my opinion I think Fakir was trying to teach the Whites a lesson. Fate isn’t something that can be changed. When the Whites wished for the money they had good reason but their son had to die in order for them to get it. When the magic was placed on the monkeys paw goo things were not intended to happen. I think that Fakir was trying to teach people that fate is something that can’t be changed and if you try to change it bad things will start happening and you would have no good karma. You could lose your loved ones or even your own life. Let fate take its own course or it will end badly.
Some people say the worst thing that can happen to you is to have your wishes come true. This is true in the short story “The Monkey’s Paw”. In “The Monkey’s Paw”, people have been granted three wishes. Every wish that happens something bad also happens. For example, Mr. White wished for 200 pounds so he could pay off his mortgage. Nothing happened until the next day after their son Herbert went to work. When Mr. and Mrs. White were sitting down at the kitchen table, some guy from Herbert’s work came over to tell them the bad new about Herbert. Herbert had gotten crushed by a machine and died. In conclusion to that, the company gave the family 200 pounds. In some cases, having your wishes come true can be a good thing and exciting thing. A lot of people would be very happy, but you should always be careful with what you wish for. Some things are meant to happen and other times aren’t meant to happen. In conclusion, having your wishes granted can have bad out comes in the end or they can have a very positive outcome. Don’t just wish because you can or because you want to change something; you have to need it. “The Monkey’s Paw” teaches us an important lesson to be careful for what you wish for. Nicole A. Period 3
The Story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs was about wishes being granted. Some wishes are good and should come true but other’s are bad and shouldn’t come true. One wish they had was for 200 pounds. (Dollars/money) I thought it would have been a good wish. The wish ended up being bad. They got the 200 pounds but their son died. He died because he was at work and he got caught in the machinery. Then his family got 200 pounds from the place that the son worked. They got their wish granted but at the cost of their son’s life. Then they wished their son back to life. I thought it would be a good and bad wish. Good because they would have their son back. Bad because the son could have been a zombie. When their wish was granted they heard a knock at their door. The mother ran down stairs sayi9ng it was her son. The father looked for the talisman to wish once more before the mother opened the door. The father thought his son wouldn’t look or be the same. The father wished and the knocking stopped. The mother opened the door and nothing was there. The father’s last wish was for his son to be dead. I thought the wish was bad but kind of good. Good because it could have been a zombie. Bad because he wanted his son dead because he thought he would be different and a zombie.
The Story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs was about wishes being granted. Some wishes are good and should come true but other’s are bad and shouldn’t come true. One wish they had was for 200 pounds. (Dollars/money) I thought it would have been a good wish. The wish ended up being bad. They got the 200 pounds but their son died. He died because he was at work and he got caught in the machinery. Then his family got 200 pounds from the place that the son worked. They got their wish granted but at the cost of their son’s life. Then they wished their son back to life. I thought it would be a good and bad wish. Good because they would have their son back. Bad because the son could have been a zombie. When their wish was granted they heard a knock at their door. The mother ran down stairs sayi9ng it was her son. The father looked for the talisman to wish once more before the mother opened the door. The father thought his son wouldn’t look or be the same. The father wished and the knocking stopped. The mother opened the door and nothing was there. The father’s last wish was for his son to be dead. I thought the wish was bad but kind of good. Good because it could have been a zombie. Bad because he wanted his son dead because he thought he would be different and a zombie.
Is the spell to make people understand that your fate shouldn’t be changed, and those who do change their fate will do so to their sorrow? Or is everything coincidental? I believe it is true. Those who ask for a wish receive it, but something bad follows after it. When Mr. White wished for 200 pounds, he received it, and then his son died, whom he was afraid of. His wife made him wish their son alive. All of a sudden they hear a knocking at the door and they rushed downstairs. Mr. White then wishes for his son to be dead again and the knocking stops. In my opinion that is not a coincidence. Therefore, I believe that fakir’s spell is indeed true, and those who try to change their fate, will do so to their sorrow.
“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, I think the fakir’s spell to make people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate, that those that do will do so to their own sorrow, was true. I think this because if you have fate set for you and you try to change it most likely it will go wrong. Even though I don’t really believe in fate, some people might. If they try to wish for something that their fate wasn’t set to, it’ll probably go the opposite way and come out wrong. I think the fakir’s spell to make the people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate was true because if you clearly something set out for you in the future it should stay that way and you shouldn’t try to change it. Most people would think wishing for something would be a good thing, but most of the time it could really turn out bad. Yes, I think the fakir’s spell to make people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate, that those that do will do so to their own sorrow, was true. I think this because if you believe in fate and you believe your future is all ready set out for you, you shouldn’t try to change it. It will most likely go in the wrong direction and come back and hurt you. -Kayleen Rybicki
I think Fakir’s spell to make people see why they shouldn’t try to change their fate is real. I don’t think anyone can make a whish, let alone three wishes and have something similar happen by coincidence.
I don’t think it happened by coincidence because how often do you make a wish and have it practically come true or completely come true? My guess would be not too often or never. I believe things happen for a reason, that being the guy made wishes on a monkeys paw. I believe it was fate, not so much good fate but any less fate. I believe it was fate because the first owner of the paw that made the wishes before Mr. White and wife wished for death just like the husband and wife did.
That is why I believe it was fate that the man and wife got their wishes not coincidence. Things happen for a reason I’ve been told and it makes a little more sense to me. Courtney Hendryx period 3
The short story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs is an interesting tale about a magical monkey paw. The paw is able to be used for wishing. Three different people may have three wishes granted when using the paw. But wishes do not always satisfy the wisher as they intend. I believe that wishes that come true can be good or bad for the wisher. Some wishes can hurt those that have wished for it. An example is when the man in the short story wished for 200 pounds. He later obtained the 200 pounds, but at a cost. His son was killed at work and the company paid him 200 pounds for his loss. That is an example of wishes being bad. It can also tear families apart as shown in “The Monkey’s Paw.” The two parents of the son were not speaking to each other until the mother had an idea. She had the idea to wish him alive, but her husband knew this was a bad idea. He knew that he would come back looking just as he died. That is another example of a bad wish. But not all wishes have to be bad. If the wish is as simple as a glass of water or world peace, not all wishes are bad. An example would be if someone wished to end world hunger. Maybe crops would grow in places they normally wouldn’t. A wish like that can help not hurt. Another wish is a cure for cancer or other diseases, this would also help not hurt. So in conclusion wishes can be helpful or hurtful. It depends on the wish and the person wishing. So by thinking your wish through you can come up with a good wish. But if you wish right away you are most likely going to regret the wish.
This week we read the short story “The Monkey’s Paw.” This story by W. W. Jacobs is about having your wishes granted, and your life being worse because of it. In the story a fakir in India curses a monkey’s paw to grant the wishes of whomever wishes on this paw. He did this to prove his idea that if you change fate you do so at your own sorrow. With that said, the basic idea of this story is having your wishes granted and that is a bad thing to have happen. I believe this to be true.
After Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds in order to pay off some of his debt his son dies in an accident at work. This is just one of the examples as to why I believe that having your wishes granted is a bad thing. This is because Mr. White lost something that meant more than money to him just because he wished for some money. This brings me to my second reason for wishes being granted and making life worse. When you wish for something and it gets granted other things in your life can change. Things that you don’t want to change but it changes anyway just because your wish was granted. Mr. White wishes for money and his son died. That shows my point of changing things that you never wanted changed. My second example of this point that changing one thing can change other things is someone can wish to be in charge of a business, country or the world. After that wish is granted he can ruin the lives of countless people and in turn get himself killed or injured or any other negative things that can happen. When the person made this wish he or she didn’t want to change everything that changed but it changed anyway because of this idea that wishing for something can change more than you ever wanted to change.
In W.W. Jacobs story “The Monkey’s Paw,” a fakir wanted to prove that if you change fate you do so at your own sorrow. This also includes the idea that when you get your wishes granted it can be the worst thing that happens to you. I believe this idea and the story helped explain why.
How does Jacob’s use of setting, suspense, and foreshadowing lead the reader into a frightening, edge of your seat story?
In the short story The Monkey’s Paw the author, W.W. Jacobs, arranges his use of suspenseful words, setting descriptions, and hints toward future events to create a short story that is sure to keep your attention. In this story, Jacobs uses particular adjectives to describe the setting of the story. He uses such words as “dark”, “stormy”, and “empty” to set the mood. Also, when describing how the monkey’s paw moved in the characters hand, Jacobs was careful in his word choice. He chose to use “twisted like a snake”, rather than something like “fluttered like a bird” to create an eerie feeling of the monkey’s paw as opposed to happy one. Another tool in Jacobs’s arsenal of descriptive talk is suspense. To create suspense, the author uses phrases such as “the old man groped on the floor for the Monkey’s paw’. His suspense methods also include situational aspects. The simple fact that the woman is cannot get the door open while the man is searching for the talisman, on the floor, in the dark, creates incredible suspense. The last thing that W.W. Jacobs =uses to create a good edge-of-seat story is foreshadowing. Foreshadowing plays into suspense building to it. Little hints that the author leaves, such as when Herbert says, “I probably won’t see that 200 pounds.” gives the reader ideas of what might happen. And when the reader recognizes foreshadowing in their minds, it keeps them reading and wanting to know what happens next. There are three main tools that W.W Jacobs uses to keep the readers on the edge of their seats, and they are setting description, foreshadowing, and the use of suspenseful words. In my opinion, in think that Jacobs has done a wonderful job.
I think that the Fakir’s spell to make people understand that you should not change your fate, which those who do so do to their own sorrow, was true. I think you should not wish your fate any different than it is. I also think the events in the story “The Monkey’s Paw” were done by the spell the Fakir put on the paw. In my eyes you can only change your fate, by changing yourself. The events in the short story “The Monkey’s Paw” were too strange to be coincidence. For example, after the family in the story wished for 200 pounds their son was killed in a triadic accident. The money his company gave the grieving family was 200 pounds. Another example is when the old man wished for his sons return. After he wished there was a strange knocking at the door that stopped just as he used his last wish for his son’s death. Whether that was coincidence or not is for you to decide, but keep in mind that nothing good can come from changing your fate. The story “The Monkey’s Paw” is a good example of why messing with fate is a dangerous thing to do. The family in “The Monkey’s Paw” was an ordinary middle class family with nothing abnormal about them. That was before they acquired the paw from an old drunk friend in exchange for a little money. Although he warned them, and even tried to destroy the paw himself the family would not listen. After that day their lives changed for the worse as they learned that fate is not to be toyed with. That is why you should not try to change your fate. Although you may not believe in magic and the Fakir, fate should remain unchanged. However if you can change yourself for the better I believe you can change your fate. If you do so, you may see your fate heading in a different direction. All you can do is be smart, and make good decisions unlike the unlucky family in “The Monkey’s Paw”. That is why I believe in what the Fakir said.
In “The Monkeys Paw” by W.W. Jacobs there a lots of different examples of setting, suspense, and foreshadowing. This makes the story more interesting to read. Jacobs uses setting and suspense to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. One example of setting in the story is when Mr. White wishes for his son alive. It was very late at night and it was windy and stormy outside. Another example of setting was when Mr. and Mrs. White found out that Herbert died. When the man came to the house and gave Mr. White 200 pounds because Herbert died, it was really sunny and nice. An example of foreshadowing in the story is when Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds. Herbert said that he would never see the 200 pounds. Then he was killed at work before Mr. White got it. In conclusion, Jacobs uses a lot of different devises to make his story more interesting to the reader. “The Monkeys Paw” was a very suspenseful story that made me want to keep reading.
In” The Monkey’s Paw written by W.W Jacob’s” The monkey’s Paw is a short story about spells, fate and wishes granted. All of the contents are mysteries. Spells are what you put on someone or something. Wishes are things that you want to come true. Some people say that the worst thing that could happen to you is to have one of your wishes will come true. I agree/disagree with this statement because wishes are suppose to be good things. An example is if you wish for 200 pounds it could be represent something else and your outcome wouldn’t be what you had expected it to be. Another example says, “I wish for a dog.” That dog could come out to be giant, evil and rule the world ant eat everyone alive. Some people aren’t careful for what they wish for they just wish never put any thought into anything. My perspective is be careful for what you wish for because you never know the outcome
The events in “The Monkeys Paw” could have been a coincidence, but I think that would be too unlikely. The way the story is written you can never be sure. W.W. Jacobs keeps you guessing. The first wish was for 200 pounds. The wish came true when the Whites son was caught in the machinery at the mill where he worked and was killed. They were given 200 pounds as compensation. This could have been a coincidence. They decided to use the second wish to bring him back to life. After that, a knock sounded at the door and before the old woman could get it open, the old man made the third wish and the knocking stopped. I don’t believe that was all just a coincidence. There is much more evidence pointing to the paw. Simon Horton Per.6
In the short story, The Monkeys Paw, a fakir casts a spell on a severed monkey’s paw which can grant three men three wishes each. Some people do not believe in this magic but other do to a great extent. I think that all the things that happened in the story were true because of t he paw and not from a coincidence. The old man’s first wish was for a bit of money. He attains this money by having his son lose his life. As a sign of life insurance, he was paid only one day after he made the wish with the paw. I do not think it was just a coincidence. It was the wish that made it happen. The fakir said that those who try to change their fate will do so to their own sorrow. This is a perfect example of that. A son dead for a little bit of money. The fakir’s spell was real and it cost them their son’s life, all because of a man’s desire. In “The Monkey’s Paw”, the spell that was cast on the paw changed the life of the Whites forever. Do not try to change your fate or you WILL do it to your own sorrow. Greg Farris 6th period
I recently read the short story “The Monkey’s Paw.” It wisely used setting, suspense, and, foreshadowing to bring the reader to a fright. The author threw out many twists and turns which kept the story captivating. If you think that a shriveled up paw that grants horrid wishes was creepy, you are in for a surprise. A frantic storm is brewing at the beginning of our story accompanied by an alcoholic sergeant with many tales to tell. One being the monkey’s paw. After refusing to let the paw burn and consider the sergeant’s advice Mr. White takes the hand. Still being a creepy night the family wishes for 200 pounds to pay their mortgage off. The next morning Herbert goes to work and hours later is told to have been caught in the company’s machinery. The family gets 200 pounds as compensation for their loss. Nights later they wish their son from the grave. A knocking on the door convinces Mr. White Herbert is back. As Mrs. White tries to unlatch the door he wishes himself death upon Herbert again. The author wisely foreshadowed and used his setting to his advantage. The storm set the mode creepily and the drunk sergeant trying to burn the paw hinted it wouldn’t end well. The suspense of Mrs. White trying to unlatch the door while the old man waited for his doom was well thought out.
In the story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs a talisman has been passed onto people and it grants them 3 wishes. The story is about fate and whether or not these wishes really come true or if it was just fate. In the story people make wishes and as a result bad things happen when there wishes come true. So the question s would the bad things happen if they never made the wish? Some people say the worst thing that can happen to you is to have your wishes come true. I believe this statement is true. What if you could have all your wishes come true, you would have anything and everything you ever wanted, not thinking about how it might affect someone else’s life. If you wish for a car how do you know that car wasn’t someone else’s who needs it. When you have everything you want, what else can you have or want? This is why I believe that the worst thing that can happen to you is to have your wishes come true. With all your wishes coming true you’re left with nothing to achieve. By Ryan Knickles
W.W Jacobs’ story “The Monkey’s Paw uses setting and suspense to lead the reader to the edge of their seat. He uses dark rooms and different sounds to scare you. “The Monkey’s Paw,” starts out in a small room during a thunderstorm. Thunderstorms are not fun to sit in; especially if you are on a road with one house. When the family is given the paw they make a wish for two hundred pounds. The next day a man comes up to their house and says that their son was killed. He then gives them two hundred pounds. The wife is so upset about her son that she wants to wish him back. She wishes him back and then hears a noise at the door. When she goes to open it, her husband wishes death again. This is suspense because you don’t know what will happen. In conclusion, you can see how suspense will make you want to keep reading. Depending on the setting, you could get scared. Joshua Robinson
Some people say the worst thing that could happen to you is to have your wishes come true. I agree with this statement because you already have all you need, wishing is just you wanting more in your life. For an example, you might have a good job but if you could have some wishes you’re most likely going to say I wish I was rich or something like that and when it comes true you’re going to be miserable with all of that money. In conclusion, you don’t always need more to make you happy. You should just be happy with what you have. Anfernee Hall
In the story “The Monkey’s Paw,” the author, W. W. Jacobs uses setting, suspense, and foreshadowing to make the story frightening and exciting. Jacob’s use of setting to be scary is mostly seen in the types of weather that is outside. His use of foreshadowing can be seen by the words the characters say in certain context. The suspense is used in a form of irony most of the time. Jacob’s use of these tools made this story frightening. An example of a scary setting is when there is a thunderstorm outside and Sergeant Major comes in the family’s home to speak to them about the Monkey’s Paw. The author’s use of foreshadowing is most noticeable when Herbert says that he might not ever see the two hundred-pounds that they wished for. The suspense in the story is built up through irony mostly. An example of this is visible in the circumstance that one day the weather is nasty, loud, scary, and then nothing happens, while when it is sunny and cheerful out, the family gets bad news that Herbert has died. The use of these devices can be seen in other circumstances as well. “The Monkey’s paw,” was a well written story that kept the reader on the edge of their seat. W.W. Jacobs uses great foreshadowing, suspense, and setting to make this story frightening. This story was great and suspenseful.
The story “The Monkeys Paw” a fakir has put a magical spell on a paw that was severed from a monkey. The spell grants three wishes to three men. But the only things wrong it that changing your faith is inevitable. Fate will lead to a much stranger and horrible path than what it would originally have. Mr. Whites first wish that was just really to see if it was true or not was for 200 pounds. That is a great amount of money in the country they live in. He figured since I am testing it I minus well get money to pay off my house with. But the monkeys paw granted his wish differently then how he thought it would. His son died by a factory accident when indeed it was the spell on the paw and his life insurance was the amount of money wished by the man. The monkeys paw had ruined these people’s lives. But they should have listened to the warning and left it alone. No matter how much you run or hide your fate will catch up to you in the end.
The story “The Monkeys Paw” a fakir has put a magical spell on a paw that was severed from a monkey. The spell grants three wishes to three men. But the only things wrong it that changing your faith is inevitable. Fate will lead to a much stranger and horrible path than what it would originally have. Mr. Whites first wish that was just really to see if it was true or not was for 200 pounds. That is a great amount of money in the country they live in. He figured since I am testing it I minus well get money to pay off my house with. But the monkeys paw granted his wish differently then how he thought it would. His son died by a factory accident when indeed it was the spell on the paw and his life insurance was the amount of money wished by the man. The monkeys paw had ruined these people’s lives. But they should have listened to the warning and left it alone. No matter how much you run or hide your fate will catch up to you in the end.
In the short story, “The Monkey’s Paw,” author W.W. Jacobs uses a lot of suspense, foreshadowing, and setting to lead the reader into an edge of the seat story. It isn’t necessarily scary, but very suspenseful and such. Jacobs does this in a unique way of irony and coincidences. But some would argue it to be magic. Near the beginning, Mr. White has a visitor, a general, come visit him and his family. H e told them many stories of interest from being at war. But then he brings up the monkey’s paw. A talisman that grants three wishes to three people. He tries to throw it in the fire and burn it after having experienced its wishing curses, but then the old man snatches it out and keeps it for himself. Over the course of the story the suspense can really start stirring curiosity and imagination. One of the major examples would be the second and third wish made by Mr. White. Mrs. White got so obsessed with her husband wishing their son back from the dead, that he had no choice but to wish it. After they gave up waiting in bed there was a knocking on the door and the old woman raced to the door struggling to loosen the bolts. Right as she was opening the door the old man found the talisman and wished the son dead again because he has been dead for a week and would be scary to look at. To conclude, these are some examples that lead the reader to the edge of their seat in the short story, “The Monkey’s Paw,” written by W.W. Jacobs. I really enjoyed reading this interesting book. I also defiantly recommend reading it.
Wishes, what do we as people think about wishes? Are they a good thing or a bad thing? Wishing could make our lives a horrible experience or a great one, so what do you think about it? I think that wishing is a bad idea. I think it is a bad idea because however you end up wishing there’s always something that screws up your wish. I agree because you might just say something because you are mad or just aren’t thinking straight. The wish you make might change your life dramatically or a little, but it always makes you wish that you didn’t wish at all. The aspect of wishing is in the view of the wisher themselves. That is the understanding from me on wishing and why I agree and say it’s a bad thing.
People shouldn’t try to change their fate, those that do will do so to their sorrow. This is very true in the short story “Monkey’s Paw,” by W. W. Jacobs. In this short story, a Fakir puts a spell on a monkey’s paw. The first three people who get this paw, will get three wishes each. I think that the paw actually works, it’s not just coincidence. The old man in the story wishes for two hundred pounds. The next day his son gets killed at work, and as compensation, the company he worked for gives his family two hundred pounds. This is because of the magic of the monkey’s paw. Stricken with grief, the old man’s wife makes the old man wish their son alive again. Soon after, they hear knocking at the door. While trying to unlock it, the old man grabs the monkey’s paw and wishes for his son to be dead again. Abruptly, the knocking stops, and when the old women opens the door, no one is there. Clearly, this is more than coincidence because the odds are extremely slim that the company offered exactly two hundred pounds, or that, as soon as the old man wished his dead again, the knocking on the door stops. So I agree with the people that say, you shouldn’t try to change your fate, if you do, you do so to your own sorrow. Laura Anderson
As an author it is important to keep your readers guessing on what is going to happen. You also want to keep a certain mood during the whole story. During the entire story of the “The Monkey’s Paw”, author W.W. Jacobs does just these things. He helps keep readers guessing and maintain a certain mood by using setting, suspense, and foreshadowing. The Setting of a story is the most important thing. It creates a certain mood of the story which makes you to feel a certain way when reading it. An example setting would be Mr. and Mrs. White’s house. W.W. Jacobs describes the house as a very old house in the middle of no where and two miles away from a cemetery. This creates a very frightening and eerie mood. Another example would be when their son Herbert gets killed it just happens to be a beautiful morning. This makes people feel very uneasy. This situation is an example of irony. Along with setting to help make a story more entertaining is suspense. When you have suspense it creates very exciting parts during the story. After Mr. White wishes for the 200 pounds, Herbert goes and sits by the fire and starts seeing monkey faces in the flames. This makes you start wondering what will happen. Also when the man in the fancy suit comes to their door, it makes you start questioning what is to happen next? What is he going to say? The last thing that helps create a story is Foreshadowing. Authors use foreshadowing to give hints about what is to come in the story. W.W. Jacobs used a lot of foreshadowing during “The Monkey’s Paw”. To name one would be when the sergeant Morris comes over to visit. After telling them about what the monkey’s paw does, he tells them that the person who had it before wished for death. This makes you think maybe death will have something to do with the story. A second one would be when Herbert says “He will never see the money”. Later in the story he dies and they get the money from the factory. However when setting, suspense, and foreshadowing are used, they always create a very entertaining story. During “The Monkey’s Paw” W.W. Jacobs uses these very well to create a frightening, eerie, edge of your seat story.
In the story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, there are three very noticeable literary elements used throughout the plot. One of the literary elements used was setting. Another was suspense; and foreshadowing was also used in the story. These all created an eerie and uneasy feeling or mood most of the time. The setting of the story in the beginning was at night during a thunderstorm. This made the news that the sergeant brought to the family even creepier than it could’ve been. Especially because during the time period of the story was before most homes had lighting electrically installed. Clearly, the setting was a cause of some of the creepy and strange feelings. Suspense was felt throughout the story as well. Every scene that occurred, always kept me waiting to see what happened next. Particularly when the older woman makes the wish that her son would come back to life. I really wanted to know what was behind the door; or if anything ever even was there in the first place. The way that Jacob’s used foreshadowing hinted that there would be something that would make odd events occur with the paw. The sergeant hinted it when he wanted to give the paw away so badly. He just automatically knew that there was something wrong, and uncouth about the way he talked about the paw. During the story “The Monkey’s Paw”, many examples of well used literary elements were shown. These elements have helped bring out the plot, and theme of the story. In conclusion, you can see how these terms showed the eerie and uneasy feeling that the author was trying to bring out to help give you the mood of the story.
The short story “The Monkeys Paw” is all wishes being granted and some for the better and some for the worst. I think this story does a good job explaining you should be careful what you wish for because the total opposite can happen. In “The Monkeys Paw” three people have three wishes each. They have to be careful on what they wish for. Sometime wishes aren’t for the better. An example is Mr. White wished for 200 pounds. His son gets caught in the machinery at work so his company pays him 200 pounds for his loss. Also Mrs. White wished for her son to come alive again but he didn’t show up at the door when she was looking for him. So I think wishes can be good and bad but I think you should wish reasonably. If you wished to end starvation in the world that would be a good wish because it would be helping other people out. I believe only good wishes come true if the result is not all about you. -Gabrielle Giardini Period 6th
In the story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, an old couple receives a talisman along with three wishes. Those who change their fate will also bring sorrow upon themselves. The fakir’s spell to make people understand not to change one’s fate, in my opinion, is true. Even though the events in this story are fake, I still believe that one should not change, or disturb life’s natural flow of events. By trying to change the flow of life, one tries to play the roll of god and in the end is punished. For example, in the story the whites try to bring their son back. Life and death is a natural part of life, it may be an unexpected event or planned, but one cannot cheat death. By trying to bring their son back, they cannot cause the rebirth of that person when that person was already born. The twist in the story is that you get your wish, but not the way you planned, causing one to understand not to change their fate. The events of life cannot be changes or altered. If one tries to change what is already destined to happen or did happen, things turn out in ways not planned. People should not change their lives and be happy with what happens, good or bad.
Matt S. Jacob does a really good job of frightening people. Whether it’s setting, suspense, or whatever, it nakes people scared. The setting is perfect to get people scared. It’s at night time, which is when people are the most afraid. It’s also thundering and lightning outside which can make it more dramatic. When you combine nighttime and a thunderstorm, it can make a very scary effect. Suspense can also be very good. Suspense will keep people on the edge of their seat. Jacob uses it where we don’t know what the monkeys paw is going to do. Whether it grants a wish, grants a different wish, or even kill someone, we don’t know, and that’s what frightens people. These reasons are why Jacob is really good at what he doe. The setting and suspense, can be a very scary combo, and that’s why it worked so well.
In the short story “The Monkey’s Paw” the setting really enhances the feeling of the story. A setting that does this is good to have because if the story doesn’t have you at the edge of your seat the setting might. Then again the story and setting is nothing without quality suspense. The story “The Monkey’s Paw” mainly takes place in an old house in the middle of no where and starts during a large storm. This already gives the reader a bad feeling. Then as the story unfolds one character tells the main characters about a talisman that can grant three men three wishes. Two men had already made there wishes and had them granted, and the first after his first two wishes, wished for death, this foreshadows what is to come very well. Then after the first wish is made a great tragedy befell the main characters, which they used the second wish to attempt to reverse. But in there erratic and irrational behavior they summon something that one character uses his final wish to bring death to what he had summoned. The suspense that is used in this story draws the reader in and want to keep reading until its over and find out how the characters change with the promise of what ever they wanted, and the suspense, setting really do their job well. All-in-all this story is very intriguing and at times exciting. The letting let the reader know that if anything bad were to happen to them no one could help them. Then the suspense keeps the readers attention until the very end. In conclusion this story can truly keep some at the edge of their seat.
There is a very important lesson taught in the short story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs. You shouldn’t try and change your fate, those that do will do so in their sorrow. The first three people to get the paw that Fakir put a spell on will get there wishes. I think that the paw really works and that it is not just a coincidence. Sargent Major Morris told Mr. and Mrs. White and his son about the monkey’s paw. Mr. White took the paw and after the Sargent left he made his first wish. His second wish was two hundred pounds so that they could pay off the house. The next day a Gentle man in a suit came to their house and said he had some news. The gentleman told them that their son had died in a machinery accident. The factory was offering them two hundred pounds. Mr. and Mrs. White’s second wish was that their son was alive again. The next thing they knew there was a knock on the door. When Mrs. White ran down the stairs to open the door she couldn’t reach the last lock. Mr. White was looking for the paw while she was getting the chair. She finally opened the door and there was no one there. Mr. White had made his last wish just in time and wished his son dead again. So this is too much to be just a coincidence the paw must have worked. So I think that you should not try and change your fate. Those who try and change their fate do so in their own sorrow. “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs teaches a very good lesson. Kaeleigh S. 6th period
In the short story “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W. Jacobs is about having your wishes granted. Although it would be nice to have all of your wishes granted, it could lead to more harm than good. Firstly, there is a saying that everything happens for a reason. If that is the case then people should not be making wishes that could and will change their destined future. Also, if things really do happen for a reason than everything that is “mean to be,” will happen eventually in life. However, wishes can also have a very disastrous effect on a person’s life. Say a parent lost their child and are filed with grief and sorrow. This is rightfully so, but then this parent makes a wish to bring their child back from the dead. By doing this, this person is breaking the laws of nature and this child might come back and totally ruin their parents’ life. In conclusion, a person can do more harm than good by making wishes. This is explained vividly in the short story “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W. Jacobs.
In the short story “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W. Jacobs is about having your wishes granted. Although it would be nice to have all of your wishes granted, it could lead to more harm than good. Firstly, there is a saying that everything happens for a reason. If that is the case then people should not be making wishes that could and will change their destined future. Also, if things really do happen for a reason than everything that is “mean to be,” will happen eventually in life. However, wishes can also have a very disastrous effect on a person’s life. Say a parent lost their child and are filed with grief and sorrow. This is rightfully so, but then this parent makes a wish to bring their child back from the dead. By doing this, this person is breaking the laws of nature and this child might come back and totally ruin their parents’ life. In conclusion, a person can do more harm than good by making wishes. This is explained vividly in the short story “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W. Jacobs.
In “The Monkey’s Paw” W.W Jacobs uses setting, foreshadowing and suspense in the short story. Using these elements make “The Monkey’s Paw” interesting. Jacobs keeps the reader wanting more. Jacobs uses suspense by keeping the readers guessing what will happen. He uses lots of describing words to get the reader to feel the eeriness of the story. When Jacobs describes the candle light reflecting on the wall, he describes it as an uneasy feeling at night making it scary and dark. This setting helps the mood of the short story. Another example of Jacobs use of writing is when the monkey paw “twists” in the old mans hand. The word “twist” makes the paw come alive. By using this word makes the mood uneasy and scary. In all, Jacobs uses a lot of foreshadowing, suspense in his story. It always makes tge reader curious and scared but wanting more. Since he used a lot of details it makes you have a visual affect on what’s happening.
I read the story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs. This story is mostly about fate. I believe that the fakir’s spell to make people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate. Those that do will do so to their sorrow was true. In the story, Sgt. Major Morris visited the White’s and their son Herbert. On his visit, he told them about a priest who put a spell on a monkey’s paw to grant three different people three wishes each. The Sgt. Tried to convince them how evil and awful it was, but they wouldn’t believe him. When they first wished for 200 pounds, their son died. Nothing good came of the monkey’s paw and it left the family devastated and without their only son. The White’s shouldn’t have tried to change their fate. When they did try, they did only to their sorrow. They lost their son and the paw almost drove them mad. marissa magro 7
According to W.W. Jacobs “The Monkey’s Paw, is it good or bad to have your wishes come true? Some say it is the worst thing that could happen to you. I agree. I think it is bad to have your wishes come true. In my opinion I don’t think it is even possible to get a wish granted. I think it is just coincidence. If by chance you do get a wish granted you may get what you want, but at the cost of something greater. So I do not believe that you can get your wish granted. I don’t think it is logical. It would also end badly if it did come true. That is what I think.
In “The Monkey’s Paw” a man has a monkey paw that has “magic”. The fakir’s spell is like an Indian magic man. The fakir’s spell, I believe, is both. Maybe things happen for a reason. Sometimes you just can’t tell. First, I think that the fakir’s spell may be fake, for the most part. I also believe it was just coincidence. I think this because their son Herbert wasn’t even gone long enough to tell. People getting caught in machinery happened all the time back then. Second, I also believe that it may have been the monkeys paw. I believe this because the paw fell to the ground every time the old man made a wish. In addition, Sgt. Major Morris said exactly what would happen. Everyone wished for death for the last wish, and the old man did. In conclusion, I believe both sides. I also think only certain parts are coincidence. But I also think some parts are real. Sometimes things happen unexpectedly.
The story “The Monkey’s Paw’ by W.W Jacobs is about how this Monkeys’ Paw grants three wishes. As the family sees it, half think it’s not real and the others believe it so they keep it. Could getting your wishes to true always be a good thing? Is there a downside to the wish when it’s granted? The way I saw it, I thought “How could getting your wishes come true be a bad thing?” But after reading this story I learned that, your wish may come true, but sometimes with that comes something bad. The story proved this, after the family made a wish for 200lbs of money. The money came. But with that Mr. White’s son died. I think that if something is too good to be true, it probably is. If something like this ever happens, which it won’t you need t be careful or just avoid it. So all in all, having your wishes come true isn’t so good after all.
In the story “The Monkeys Paw” the White family got a paw to make wishes from Sergeant Morris. Sometimes making wishes is good and other times it isn’t.
Having your wishes come true can be a good thing. But you can also make a bad wish. One of the worst things that could happen when making a wish is that you can take a person’s life away. But you can make a good wish to help someone. Making a wish with the monkey’s paw it can be a bad thing to do.
Making wishes can be okay at certain times. However according to the story, it’s probably not a good idea. When Mr. White got the paw in his hand he decided to keep it all for himself. But his wife wanted to make a wish for her son to come back from the dead after ten days.
In this conclusion the Whites might have lost there son, but they’ll always remember him. May their son rest in peace Tyler D period 7
The story “The Monkey’s Paw’ by W.W Jacobs is about how this Monkeys’ Paw grants three wishes. As the family sees it, half think it’s not real and the others believe it so they keep it. Could getting your wishes to true always be a good thing? Is there a downside to the wish when it’s granted? The way I saw it, I thought “How could getting your wishes come true be a bad thing?” But after reading this story I learned that, your wish may come true, but sometimes with that comes something bad. The story proved this, after the family made a wish for 200lbs of money. The money came. But with that Mr. White’s son died. I think that if something is too good to be true, it probably is. If something like this ever happens, which it won’t you need t be careful or just avoid it. So all in all, having your wishes come true isn’t so good after all.
The fakir’s spell in the W.W Jocob’s “The Monkey’s Paw” people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate, and those that will, do so to their sorrow, I believe is true. I do not believe at all that the events in this story were coincidence. When Mr. White took the monkey’s paw, he wished for two hundred pounds. Mr. White did get his money, however, he also received the death of his son, Herbert. Mr. White was warned by the sergeant that the monkey’s paw would bring bad news along with what he’d wish for. Mrs. White insisted that Mr. White should wish for their son back. Mr. White was afraid to wish for Herbert back because he thought he was going to get an evil son that might haunt them. Mrs. White wouldn’t stop begging Mr. White to wish for Herbert back, and even as afraid as he was, he did. Mr. and Mrs. White waited, and waited for their son to get back. As Mrs. White was just upset and sad that Herbert didn’t come back, Mr. White however was pleased. They soon went to bed. After awhile a knocking was at the door. Mrs. White got right up as fast as she could to the door. The door was locked and she couldn’t reach the lock. Mr. White was panicking. He was searching for the monkey’s paw to wish for they haunted son gone. Right when Mrs. White got the to the lock to open the door Mr. White got the monkey’s paw. Mrs. White opened the door. Nothing, and no one, was there. Everything that happened in “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W Jacobs, happened exactly right. Mr. White wished for money, his son died, and his company gave him two hundred pounds. He wished for Herbert back, and someone was knocking at the door awhile after. Mr. White wished for his son dead again, and there ended up being nobody outside the door. Therefore, due to these events that occurred in this story, I do not believe they happened in coincidence.
The story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs teaches a lesson about a fakir’s spell to make people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate, and if you do so, you do into your sorrow. I agree with this and I think that the events of the story are just coincidences. In the story the White’s get a visit from Sgt. Major Morris, who brings with him a monkey’ paw. This paw has a history that the last man’s wish is always for death. The fakir’s spell comes into play when the Whites wish for 200 pounds to pay off their house. But, how they get these 200 pounds is by the death of their son, who dies while working. Their first wish shows both evidence of the fakir’s spell, and coincidence, because their fate could have been just to gradually pay off their house The spell bought the death of their son with the 200 pounds. It’s also a coincidence because they didn’t expect to have their son going to work alive and never coming back. The White’s second wish was to bring back their son back. To bring their son back would be illogical because he got torn up in a machine. He has also been buried for 10 days so he would be a complete wreck. The coincidence is that they never saw their son. They only heard the “knocking” on the door which could have been wind. When Mr. White wished for his son’s death on the final wish, they open the door and he isn’t there. He never could have been there, and never could have come back from the dead. The story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs shows a lesson by a fakir’s spell to not mess with your own fate. It also showed how the events that occurred with the wishes could have been coincidences.
The story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs teaches a lesson about a fakir’s spell to make people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate, and if you do so, you do into your sorrow. I agree with this and I think that the events of the story are just coincidences. In the story the White’s get a visit from Sgt. Major Morris, who brings with him a monkey’ paw. This paw has a history that the last man’s wish is always for death. The fakir’s spell comes into play when the Whites wish for 200 pounds to pay off their house. But, how they get these 200 pounds is by the death of their son, who dies while working. Their first wish shows both evidence of the fakir’s spell, and coincidence, because their fate could have been just to gradually pay off their house The spell bought the death of their son with the 200 pounds. It’s also a coincidence because they didn’t expect to have their son going to work alive and never coming back. The White’s second wish was to bring back their son back. To bring their son back would be illogical because he got torn up in a machine. He has also been buried for 10 days so he would be a complete wreck. The coincidence is that they never saw their son. They only heard the “knocking” on the door which could have been wind. When Mr. White wished for his son’s death on the final wish, they open the door and he isn’t there. He never could have been there, and never could have come back from the dead. The story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs shows a lesson by a fakir’s spell to not mess with your own fate. It also showed how the events that occurred with the wishes could have been coincidences.
English 10 Jacob Brege “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs Writing Piece (3)
There is a major theme to the short story, “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs. The theme is “the worst thing that could happen to you is to have your wishes come true”. Many people believe this. I however, disagree with it for the most part. “The Monkey’s Paw” is a story about an elderly couple whose worlds are turned upside down when they make a couple wishes with a magical monkey paw. Their first wish was for 200 pounds so that they could pay off their mortgage. They received the money after their son was mangled and killed in a machine at work. Their second swish was for their son to come back to life; this frightened the old man horribly so he used the third and final wish to get rid of “the thing”, thought to be his son, banging on the door. The wish was granted. The theme of this story was to not wish for too much because horrible things come with them. Some people believe that getting what you wish for can be the worst thing to ever happen to them. I believe they think this way because if you get what you wish for, you become a selfish, spoiled brat. I disagree with these people. Becoming a selfish, spoiled brat is defiantly not the worst thing that can happen to you. Yes, it’s not a good thing, but much worst things could happen. “The Monkey’s Paw”, by W.W. Jacobs was meant to warn people that getting what you wish for can be the worst thing to ever happen to you. Many people believe this theme and take it to heart. I disagree with it. Though. There are way worse things in the world than getting what you wish for.
There are a few things i wud like to say here about this story.
i feel that towards the end the story became illogical in order to give it a scary ending.Bringing back from the dead? knocking suddenly stopping? if i remember correctly then at one point Mr White quoted that the wishes were granted in a natural manner.if this is so ,then how can one be brought back from the dead.And even if that IS done somehow,shouldn't the boy drop dead at the door instead of vanishing in thin air when Mr white makes his last wish?
Secondly , regarding the thing that "those who change fate will do so to their sorrow" .i read thru the comments and found that majority of them are telling that its bad to get their wish granted .let me bring you this fact into consideration.Do not forget that there was a MAGIC put by a Fakir on the talisman to act so.What if there was a fakir who casted the spell to "live ur life as you please and make as many wishes as you want."
Just think about it .You would be saying the vice-versa of what you are saying in the current context :)
All i want to say is that in life there is no absolute right or wrong.
Lol i was just wondering what would the talisman do if someone had wished to be "Happy" xD
oh and just a tip: while making wishes always leave no loop holes which cud be exploited by the wish giver. Peace :D
There are a few things i wud like to say here about this story.This story is simply fantasy and is partially highlighting the aspect of life.why partially ? read below:
i feel that towards the end the story became illogical in order to give it a scary ending.Bringing back from the dead? knocking suddenly stopping? if i remember correctly then at one point Mr White quoted that the wishes were granted in a natural manner.if this is so ,then how can one be brought back from the dead.And even if that IS done somehow,shouldn't the boy drop dead at the door instead of vanishing in thin air?
Secondly , regarding the thing that "those who change fate will do so to their sorrow" .i read thru the comments and found that majority of them are telling that its bad to get their wish granted .let me bring you this fact into consideration.Do not forget that there was MAGIC put by a Fakir on the talisman to act so.What if there was a fakir who casted the spell to "live ur life as you please and make as many wishes as you want."
Just think about it .You would be saying the vice-versa of what you are saying in the current context :)
All i want to say is that in life there is no absolute right or wrong.This story is just like one of those which are made to be narrated around a camp fire xD
Lol i was just wondering what would the talisman do if someone had wished to be "Happy" xD
oh and just a tip: while making wishes always leave no loop holes which cud be exploited by the wish giver.Otherwise you might end up like the Whites ;) Peace :D
47 comments:
In my opinion I think Fakir was trying to teach the Whites a lesson. Fate isn’t something that can be changed. When the Whites wished for the money they had good reason but their son had to die in order for them to get it. When the magic was placed on the monkeys paw goo things were not intended to happen. I think that Fakir was trying to teach people that fate is something that can’t be changed and if you try to change it bad things will start happening and you would have no good karma. You could lose your loved ones or even your own life. Let fate take its own course or it will end badly.
Alina Matya Period 3.
Some people say the worst thing that can happen to you is to have your wishes come true. This is true in the short story “The Monkey’s Paw”. In “The Monkey’s Paw”, people have been granted three wishes. Every wish that happens something bad also happens. For example, Mr. White wished for 200 pounds so he could pay off his mortgage. Nothing happened until the next day after their son Herbert went to work. When Mr. and Mrs. White were sitting down at the kitchen table, some guy from Herbert’s work came over to tell them the bad new about Herbert. Herbert had gotten crushed by a machine and died. In conclusion to that, the company gave the family 200 pounds.
In some cases, having your wishes come true can be a good thing and exciting thing. A lot of people would be very happy, but you should always be careful with what you wish for. Some things are meant to happen and other times aren’t meant to happen.
In conclusion, having your wishes granted can have bad out comes in the end or they can have a very positive outcome. Don’t just wish because you can or because you want to change something; you have to need it. “The Monkey’s Paw” teaches us an important lesson to be careful for what you wish for.
Nicole A.
Period 3
The Story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs was about wishes being granted. Some wishes are good and should come true but other’s are bad and shouldn’t come true. One wish they had was for 200 pounds. (Dollars/money) I thought it would have been a good wish. The wish ended up being bad. They got the 200 pounds but their son died.
He died because he was at work and he got caught in the machinery. Then his family got 200 pounds from the place that the son worked. They got their wish granted but at the cost of their son’s life.
Then they wished their son back to life. I thought it would be a good and bad wish. Good because they would have their son back. Bad because the son could have been a zombie. When their wish was granted they heard a knock at their door. The mother ran down stairs sayi9ng it was her son. The father looked for the talisman to wish once more before the mother opened the door. The father thought his son wouldn’t look or be the same.
The father wished and the knocking stopped. The mother opened the door and nothing was there. The father’s last wish was for his son to be dead. I thought the wish was bad but kind of good. Good because it could have been a zombie. Bad because he wanted his son dead because he thought he would be different and a zombie.
The Story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs was about wishes being granted. Some wishes are good and should come true but other’s are bad and shouldn’t come true. One wish they had was for 200 pounds. (Dollars/money) I thought it would have been a good wish. The wish ended up being bad. They got the 200 pounds but their son died.
He died because he was at work and he got caught in the machinery. Then his family got 200 pounds from the place that the son worked. They got their wish granted but at the cost of their son’s life.
Then they wished their son back to life. I thought it would be a good and bad wish. Good because they would have their son back. Bad because the son could have been a zombie. When their wish was granted they heard a knock at their door. The mother ran down stairs sayi9ng it was her son. The father looked for the talisman to wish once more before the mother opened the door. The father thought his son wouldn’t look or be the same.
The father wished and the knocking stopped. The mother opened the door and nothing was there. The father’s last wish was for his son to be dead. I thought the wish was bad but kind of good. Good because it could have been a zombie. Bad because he wanted his son dead because he thought he would be different and a zombie.
Is the spell to make people understand that your fate shouldn’t be changed, and those who do change their fate will do so to their sorrow? Or is everything coincidental?
I believe it is true. Those who ask for a wish receive it, but something bad follows after it. When Mr. White wished for 200 pounds, he received it, and then his son died, whom he was afraid of. His wife made him wish their son alive. All of a sudden they hear a knocking at the door and they rushed downstairs. Mr. White then wishes for his son to be dead again and the knocking stops. In my opinion that is not a coincidence.
Therefore, I believe that fakir’s spell is indeed true, and those who try to change their fate, will do so to their sorrow.
Maddux Currie 3rd Period
“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, I think the fakir’s spell to make people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate, that those that do will do so to their own sorrow, was true. I think this because if you have fate set for you and you try to change it most likely it will go wrong.
Even though I don’t really believe in fate, some people might. If they try to wish for something that their fate wasn’t set to, it’ll probably go the opposite way and come out wrong. I think the fakir’s spell to make the people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate was true because if you clearly something set out for you in the future it should stay that way and you shouldn’t try to change it. Most people would think wishing for something would be a good thing, but most of the time it could really turn out bad.
Yes, I think the fakir’s spell to make people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate, that those that do will do so to their own sorrow, was true. I think this because if you believe in fate and you believe your future is all ready set out for you, you shouldn’t try to change it. It will most likely go in the wrong direction and come back and hurt you.
-Kayleen Rybicki
I think Fakir’s spell to make people see why they shouldn’t try to change their fate is real. I don’t think anyone can make a whish, let alone three wishes and have something similar happen by coincidence.
I don’t think it happened by coincidence because how often do you make a wish and have it practically come true or completely come true? My guess would be not too often or never. I believe things happen for a reason, that being the guy made wishes on a monkeys paw. I believe it was fate, not so much good fate but any less fate. I believe it was fate because the first owner of the paw that made the wishes before Mr. White and wife wished for death just like the husband and wife did.
That is why I believe it was fate that the man and wife got their wishes not coincidence. Things happen for a reason I’ve been told and it makes a little more sense to me.
Courtney Hendryx
period 3
Matt McClelland 3 period
The short story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs is an interesting tale about a magical monkey paw. The paw is able to be used for wishing. Three different people may have three wishes granted when using the paw. But wishes do not always satisfy the wisher as they intend. I believe that wishes that come true can be good or bad for the wisher.
Some wishes can hurt those that have wished for it. An example is when the man in the short story wished for 200 pounds. He later obtained the 200 pounds, but at a cost. His son was killed at work and the company paid him 200 pounds for his loss. That is an example of wishes being bad. It can also tear families apart as shown in “The Monkey’s Paw.” The two parents of the son were not speaking to each other until the mother had an idea. She had the idea to wish him alive, but her husband knew this was a bad idea. He knew that he would come back looking just as he died. That is another example of a bad wish.
But not all wishes have to be bad. If the wish is as simple as a glass of water or world peace, not all wishes are bad. An example would be if someone wished to end world hunger. Maybe crops would grow in places they normally wouldn’t. A wish like that can help not hurt. Another wish is a cure for cancer or other diseases, this would also help not hurt.
So in conclusion wishes can be helpful or hurtful. It depends on the wish and the person wishing. So by thinking your wish through you can come up with a good wish. But if you wish right away you are most likely going to regret the wish.
This week we read the short story “The Monkey’s Paw.” This story by W. W. Jacobs is about having your wishes granted, and your life being worse because of it. In the story a fakir in India curses a monkey’s paw to grant the wishes of whomever wishes on this paw. He did this to prove his idea that if you change fate you do so at your own sorrow. With that said, the basic idea of this story is having your wishes granted and that is a bad thing to have happen. I believe this to be true.
After Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds in order to pay off some of his debt his son dies in an accident at work. This is just one of the examples as to why I believe that having your wishes granted is a bad thing. This is because Mr. White lost something that meant more than money to him just because he wished for some money. This brings me to my second reason for wishes being granted and making life worse. When you wish for something and it gets granted other things in your life can change. Things that you don’t want to change but it changes anyway just because your wish was granted. Mr. White wishes for money and his son died. That shows my point of changing things that you never wanted changed. My second example of this point that changing one thing can change other things is someone can wish to be in charge of a business, country or the world. After that wish is granted he can ruin the lives of countless people and in turn get himself killed or injured or any other negative things that can happen. When the person made this wish he or she didn’t want to change everything that changed but it changed anyway because of this idea that wishing for something can change more than you ever wanted to change.
In W.W. Jacobs story “The Monkey’s Paw,” a fakir wanted to prove that if you change fate you do so at your own sorrow. This also includes the idea that when you get your wishes granted it can be the worst thing that happens to you. I believe this idea and the story helped explain why.
Ethan Coulter Per. 3
How does Jacob’s use of setting, suspense, and foreshadowing lead the reader into a frightening, edge of your seat story?
In the short story The Monkey’s Paw the author, W.W. Jacobs, arranges his use of suspenseful words, setting descriptions, and hints toward future events to create a short story that is sure to keep your attention.
In this story, Jacobs uses particular adjectives to describe the setting of the story. He uses such words as “dark”, “stormy”, and “empty” to set the mood. Also, when describing how the monkey’s paw moved in the characters hand, Jacobs was careful in his word choice. He chose to use “twisted like a snake”, rather than something like “fluttered like a bird” to create an eerie feeling of the monkey’s paw as opposed to happy one.
Another tool in Jacobs’s arsenal of descriptive talk is suspense. To create suspense, the author uses phrases such as “the old man groped on the floor for the Monkey’s paw’. His suspense methods also include situational aspects. The simple fact that the woman is cannot get the door open while the man is searching for the talisman, on the floor, in the dark, creates incredible suspense.
The last thing that W.W. Jacobs =uses to create a good edge-of-seat story is foreshadowing. Foreshadowing plays into suspense building to it. Little hints that the author leaves, such as when Herbert says, “I probably won’t see that 200 pounds.” gives the reader ideas of what might happen. And when the reader recognizes foreshadowing in their minds, it keeps them reading and wanting to know what happens next.
There are three main tools that W.W Jacobs uses to keep the readers on the edge of their seats, and they are setting description, foreshadowing, and the use of suspenseful words. In my opinion, in think that Jacobs has done a wonderful job.
I think that the Fakir’s spell to make people understand that you should not change your fate, which those who do so do to their own sorrow, was true. I think you should not wish your fate any different than it is. I also think the events in the story “The Monkey’s Paw” were done by the spell the Fakir put on the paw. In my eyes you can only change your fate, by changing yourself.
The events in the short story “The Monkey’s Paw” were too strange to be coincidence. For example, after the family in the story wished for 200 pounds their son was killed in a triadic accident. The money his company gave the grieving family was 200 pounds. Another example is when the old man wished for his sons return. After he wished there was a strange knocking at the door that stopped just as he used his last wish for his son’s death. Whether that was coincidence or not is for you to decide, but keep in mind that nothing good can come from changing your fate.
The story “The Monkey’s Paw” is a good example of why messing with fate is a dangerous thing to do. The family in “The Monkey’s Paw” was an ordinary middle class family with nothing abnormal about them. That was before they acquired the paw from an old drunk friend in exchange for a little money. Although he warned them, and even tried to destroy the paw himself the family would not listen. After that day their lives changed for the worse as they learned that fate is not to be toyed with. That is why you should not try to change your fate.
Although you may not believe in magic and the Fakir, fate should remain unchanged. However if you can change yourself for the better I believe you can change your fate. If you do so, you may see your fate heading in a different direction. All you can do is be smart, and make good decisions unlike the unlucky family in “The Monkey’s Paw”. That is why I believe in what the Fakir said.
By: Fylicia Barr
Prd 3
James Carey
In “The Monkeys Paw” by W.W. Jacobs there a lots of different examples of setting, suspense, and foreshadowing. This makes the story more interesting to read. Jacobs uses setting and suspense to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
One example of setting in the story is when Mr. White wishes for his son alive. It was very late at night and it was windy and stormy outside. Another example of setting was when Mr. and Mrs. White found out that Herbert died. When the man came to the house and gave Mr. White 200 pounds because Herbert died, it was really sunny and nice. An example of foreshadowing in the story is when Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds. Herbert said that he would never see the 200 pounds. Then he was killed at work before Mr. White got it.
In conclusion, Jacobs uses a lot of different devises to make his story more interesting to the reader. “The Monkeys Paw” was a very suspenseful story that made me want to keep reading.
Christopher Gayton 10/1/10
English
In” The Monkey’s Paw written by W.W Jacob’s” The monkey’s Paw is a short story about spells, fate and wishes granted. All of the contents are mysteries. Spells are what you put on someone or something. Wishes are things that you want to come true.
Some people say that the worst thing that could happen to you is to have one of your wishes will come true. I agree/disagree with this statement because wishes are suppose to be good things. An example is if you wish for 200 pounds it could be represent something else and your outcome wouldn’t be what you had expected it to be.
Another example says, “I wish for a dog.” That dog could come out to be giant, evil and rule the world ant eat everyone alive. Some people aren’t careful for what they wish for they just wish never put any thought into anything. My perspective is be careful for what you wish for because you never know the outcome
The events in “The Monkeys Paw” could have been a coincidence, but I think that would be too unlikely. The way the story is written you can never be sure. W.W. Jacobs keeps you guessing.
The first wish was for 200 pounds. The wish came true when the Whites son was caught in the machinery at the mill where he worked and was killed. They were given 200 pounds as compensation. This could have been a coincidence. They decided to use the second wish to bring him back to life. After that, a knock sounded at the door and before the old woman could get it open, the old man made the third wish and the knocking stopped.
I don’t believe that was all just a coincidence. There is much more evidence pointing to the paw.
Simon Horton Per.6
In the short story, The Monkeys Paw, a fakir casts a spell on a severed monkey’s paw which can grant three men three wishes each. Some people do not believe in this magic but other do to a great extent. I think that all the things that happened in the story were true because of t he paw and not from a coincidence.
The old man’s first wish was for a bit of money. He attains this money by having his son lose his life. As a sign of life insurance, he was paid only one day after he made the wish with the paw. I do not think it was just a coincidence. It was the wish that made it happen. The fakir said that those who try to change their fate will do so to their own sorrow. This is a perfect example of that. A son dead for a little bit of money. The fakir’s spell was real and it cost them their son’s life, all because of a man’s desire.
In “The Monkey’s Paw”, the spell that was cast on the paw changed the life of the Whites forever. Do not try to change your fate or you WILL do it to your own sorrow.
Greg Farris 6th period
I recently read the short story “The Monkey’s Paw.” It wisely used setting, suspense, and, foreshadowing to bring the reader to a fright. The author threw out many twists and turns which kept the story captivating. If you think that a shriveled up paw that grants horrid wishes was creepy, you are in for a surprise.
A frantic storm is brewing at the beginning of our story accompanied by an alcoholic sergeant with many tales to tell. One being the monkey’s paw. After refusing to let the paw burn and consider the sergeant’s advice Mr. White takes the hand. Still being a creepy night the family wishes for 200 pounds to pay their mortgage off. The next morning Herbert goes to work and hours later is told to have been caught in the company’s machinery. The family gets 200 pounds as compensation for their loss. Nights later they wish their son from the grave. A knocking on the door convinces Mr. White Herbert is back. As Mrs. White tries to unlatch the door he wishes himself death upon Herbert again.
The author wisely foreshadowed and used his setting to his advantage. The storm set the mode creepily and the drunk sergeant trying to burn the paw hinted it wouldn’t end well. The suspense of Mrs. White trying to unlatch the door while the old man waited for his doom was well thought out.
Nick Hamed Period 6
In the story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs a talisman has been passed onto people and it grants them 3 wishes. The story is about fate and whether or not these wishes really come true or if it was just fate. In the story people make wishes and as a result bad things happen when there wishes come true. So the question s would the bad things happen if they never made the wish?
Some people say the worst thing that can happen to you is to have your wishes come true. I believe this statement is true. What if you could have all your wishes come true, you would have anything and everything you ever wanted, not thinking about how it might affect someone else’s life. If you wish for a car how do you know that car wasn’t someone else’s who needs it. When you have everything you want, what else can you have or want?
This is why I believe that the worst thing that can happen to you is to have your wishes come true. With all your wishes coming true you’re left with nothing to achieve.
By Ryan Knickles
W.W Jacobs’ story “The Monkey’s Paw uses setting and suspense to lead the reader to the edge of their seat. He uses dark rooms and different sounds to scare you.
“The Monkey’s Paw,” starts out in a small room during a thunderstorm. Thunderstorms are not fun to sit in; especially if you are on a road with one house.
When the family is given the paw they make a wish for two hundred pounds. The next day a man comes up to their house and says that their son was killed. He then gives them two hundred pounds. The wife is so upset about her son that she wants to wish him back. She wishes him back and then hears a noise at the door. When she goes to open it, her husband wishes death again. This is suspense because you don’t know what will happen.
In conclusion, you can see how suspense will make you want to keep reading. Depending on the setting, you could get scared.
Joshua Robinson
Some people say the worst thing that could happen to you is to have your wishes come true. I agree with this statement because you already have all you need, wishing is just you wanting more in your life.
For an example, you might have a good job but if you could have some wishes you’re most likely going to say I wish I was rich or something like that and when it comes true you’re going to be miserable with all of that money.
In conclusion, you don’t always need more to make you happy. You should just be happy with what you have. Anfernee Hall
In the story “The Monkey’s Paw,” the author, W. W. Jacobs uses setting, suspense, and foreshadowing to make the story frightening and exciting. Jacob’s use of setting to be scary is mostly seen in the types of weather that is outside. His use of foreshadowing can be seen by the words the characters say in certain context. The suspense is used in a form of irony most of the time.
Jacob’s use of these tools made this story frightening. An example of a scary setting is when there is a thunderstorm outside and Sergeant Major comes in the family’s home to speak to them about the Monkey’s Paw. The author’s use of foreshadowing is most noticeable when Herbert says that he might not ever see the two hundred-pounds that they wished for. The suspense in the story is built up through irony mostly. An example of this is visible in the circumstance that one day the weather is nasty, loud, scary, and then nothing happens, while when it is sunny and cheerful out, the family gets bad news that Herbert has died. The use of these devices can be seen in other circumstances as well.
“The Monkey’s paw,” was a well written story that kept the reader on the edge of their seat. W.W. Jacobs uses great foreshadowing, suspense, and setting to make this story frightening. This story was great and suspenseful.
Corey Kane-Period 6
The story “The Monkeys Paw” a fakir has put a magical spell on a paw that was severed from a monkey. The spell grants three wishes to three men. But the only things wrong it that changing your faith is inevitable. Fate will lead to a much stranger and horrible path than what it would originally have.
Mr. Whites first wish that was just really to see if it was true or not was for 200 pounds. That is a great amount of money in the country they live in. He figured since I am testing it I minus well get money to pay off my house with. But the monkeys paw granted his wish differently then how he thought it would. His son died by a factory accident when indeed it was the spell on the paw and his life insurance was the amount of money wished by the man.
The monkeys paw had ruined these people’s lives. But they should have listened to the warning and left it alone. No matter how much you run or hide your fate will catch up to you in the end.
The story “The Monkeys Paw” a fakir has put a magical spell on a paw that was severed from a monkey. The spell grants three wishes to three men. But the only things wrong it that changing your faith is inevitable. Fate will lead to a much stranger and horrible path than what it would originally have.
Mr. Whites first wish that was just really to see if it was true or not was for 200 pounds. That is a great amount of money in the country they live in. He figured since I am testing it I minus well get money to pay off my house with. But the monkeys paw granted his wish differently then how he thought it would. His son died by a factory accident when indeed it was the spell on the paw and his life insurance was the amount of money wished by the man.
The monkeys paw had ruined these people’s lives. But they should have listened to the warning and left it alone. No matter how much you run or hide your fate will catch up to you in the end.
In the short story, “The Monkey’s Paw,” author W.W. Jacobs uses a lot of suspense, foreshadowing, and setting to lead the reader into an edge of the seat story. It isn’t necessarily scary, but very suspenseful and such. Jacobs does this in a unique way of irony and coincidences. But some would argue it to be magic.
Near the beginning, Mr. White has a visitor, a general, come visit him and his family. H e told them many stories of interest from being at war. But then he brings up the monkey’s paw. A talisman that grants three wishes to three people. He tries to throw it in the fire and burn it after having experienced its wishing curses, but then the old man snatches it out and keeps it for himself.
Over the course of the story the suspense can really start stirring curiosity and imagination. One of the major examples would be the second and third wish made by Mr. White. Mrs. White got so obsessed with her husband wishing their son back from the dead, that he had no choice but to wish it. After they gave up waiting in bed there was a knocking on the door and the old woman raced to the door struggling to loosen the bolts. Right as she was opening the door the old man found the talisman and wished the son dead again because he has been dead for a week and would be scary to look at.
To conclude, these are some examples that lead the reader to the edge of their seat in the short story, “The Monkey’s Paw,” written by W.W. Jacobs. I really enjoyed reading this interesting book. I also defiantly recommend reading it.
Haley Jones
Period 6
Wishes, what do we as people think about wishes? Are they a good thing or a bad thing? Wishing could make our lives a horrible experience or a great one, so what do you think about it?
I think that wishing is a bad idea. I think it is a bad idea because however you end up wishing there’s always something that screws up your wish. I agree because you might just say something because you are mad or just aren’t thinking straight. The wish you make might change your life dramatically or a little, but it always makes you wish that you didn’t wish at all.
The aspect of wishing is in the view of the wisher themselves. That is the understanding from me on wishing and why I agree and say it’s a bad thing.
Matt C. 6th period
People shouldn’t try to change their fate, those that do will do so to their sorrow. This is very true in the short story “Monkey’s Paw,” by W. W. Jacobs. In this short story, a Fakir puts a spell on a monkey’s paw. The first three people who get this paw, will get three wishes each. I think that the paw actually works, it’s not just coincidence.
The old man in the story wishes for two hundred pounds. The next day his son gets killed at work, and as compensation, the company he worked for gives his family two hundred pounds. This is because of the magic of the monkey’s paw. Stricken with grief, the old man’s wife makes the old man wish their son alive again. Soon after, they hear knocking at the door. While trying to unlock it, the old man grabs the monkey’s paw and wishes for his son to be dead again. Abruptly, the knocking stops, and when the old women opens the door, no one is there.
Clearly, this is more than coincidence because the odds are extremely slim that the company offered exactly two hundred pounds, or that, as soon as the old man wished his dead again, the knocking on the door stops. So I agree with the people that say, you shouldn’t try to change your fate, if you do, you do so to your own sorrow. Laura Anderson
As an author it is important to keep your readers guessing on what is going to happen. You also want to keep a certain mood during the whole story. During the entire story of the “The Monkey’s Paw”, author W.W. Jacobs does just these things. He helps keep readers guessing and maintain a certain mood by using setting, suspense, and foreshadowing.
The Setting of a story is the most important thing. It creates a certain mood of the story which makes you to feel a certain way when reading it. An example setting would be Mr. and Mrs. White’s house. W.W. Jacobs describes the house as a very old house in the middle of no where and two miles away from a cemetery. This creates a very frightening and eerie mood. Another example would be when their son Herbert gets killed it just happens to be a beautiful morning. This makes people feel very uneasy. This situation is an example of irony.
Along with setting to help make a story more entertaining is suspense. When you have suspense it creates very exciting parts during the story. After Mr. White wishes for the 200 pounds, Herbert goes and sits by the fire and starts seeing monkey faces in the flames. This makes you start wondering what will happen. Also when the man in the fancy suit comes to their door, it makes you start questioning what is to happen next? What is he going to say?
The last thing that helps create a story is Foreshadowing. Authors use foreshadowing to give hints about what is to come in the story. W.W. Jacobs used a lot of foreshadowing during “The Monkey’s Paw”. To name one would be when the sergeant Morris comes over to visit. After telling them about what the monkey’s paw does, he tells them that the person who had it before wished for death. This makes you think maybe death will have something to do with the story. A second one would be when Herbert says “He will never see the money”. Later in the story he dies and they get the money from the factory.
However when setting, suspense, and foreshadowing are used, they always create a very entertaining story. During “The Monkey’s Paw” W.W. Jacobs uses these very well to create a frightening, eerie, edge of your seat story.
Hannah Forrest, Period6
Maggie Stanford
Period 6.
In the story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, there are three very noticeable literary elements used throughout the plot. One of the literary elements used was setting. Another was suspense; and foreshadowing was also used in the story. These all created an eerie and uneasy feeling or mood most of the time.
The setting of the story in the beginning was at night during a thunderstorm. This made the news that the sergeant brought to the family even creepier than it could’ve been. Especially because during the time period of the story was before most homes had lighting electrically installed. Clearly, the setting was a cause of some of the creepy and strange feelings.
Suspense was felt throughout the story as well. Every scene that occurred, always kept me waiting to see what happened next. Particularly when the older woman makes the wish that her son would come back to life. I really wanted to know what was behind the door; or if anything ever even was there in the first place.
The way that Jacob’s used foreshadowing hinted that there would be something that would make odd events occur with the paw. The sergeant hinted it when he wanted to give the paw away so badly. He just automatically knew that there was something wrong, and uncouth about the way he talked about the paw.
During the story “The Monkey’s Paw”, many examples of well used literary elements were shown. These elements have helped bring out the plot, and theme of the story. In conclusion, you can see how these terms showed the eerie and uneasy feeling that the author was trying to bring out to help give you the mood of the story.
The short story “The Monkeys Paw” is all wishes being granted and some for the better and some for the worst. I think this story does a good job explaining you should be careful what you wish for because the total opposite can happen. In “The Monkeys Paw” three people have three wishes each. They have to be careful on what they wish for.
Sometime wishes aren’t for the better. An example is Mr. White wished for 200 pounds. His son gets caught in the machinery at work so his company pays him 200 pounds for his loss. Also Mrs. White wished for her son to come alive again but he didn’t show up at the door when she was looking for him. So I think wishes can be good and bad but I think you should wish reasonably. If you wished to end starvation in the world that would be a good wish because it would be helping other people out. I believe only good wishes come true if the result is not all about you. -Gabrielle Giardini Period 6th
Caroline Period 6
In the story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, an old couple receives a talisman along with three wishes. Those who change their fate will also bring sorrow upon themselves. The fakir’s spell to make people understand not to change one’s fate, in my opinion, is true. Even though the events in this story are fake, I still believe that one should not change, or disturb life’s natural flow of events.
By trying to change the flow of life, one tries to play the roll of god and in the end is punished. For example, in the story the whites try to bring their son back. Life and death is a natural part of life, it may be an unexpected event or planned, but one cannot cheat death. By trying to bring their son back, they cannot cause the rebirth of that person when that person was already born. The twist in the story is that you get your wish, but not the way you planned, causing one to understand not to change their fate.
The events of life cannot be changes or altered. If one tries to change what is already destined to happen or did happen, things turn out in ways not planned. People should not change their lives and be happy with what happens, good or bad.
Matt S.
Jacob does a really good job of frightening people. Whether it’s setting, suspense, or whatever, it nakes people scared.
The setting is perfect to get people scared. It’s at night time, which is when people are the most afraid. It’s also thundering and lightning outside which can make it more dramatic. When you combine nighttime and a thunderstorm, it can make a very scary effect.
Suspense can also be very good. Suspense will keep people on the edge of their seat. Jacob uses it where we don’t know what the monkeys paw is going to do. Whether it grants a wish, grants a different wish, or even kill someone, we don’t know, and that’s what frightens people.
These reasons are why Jacob is really good at what he doe. The setting and suspense, can be a very scary combo, and that’s why it worked so well.
In the short story “The Monkey’s Paw” the setting really enhances the feeling of the story. A setting that does this is good to have because if the story doesn’t have you at the edge of your seat the setting might. Then again the story and setting is nothing without quality suspense.
The story “The Monkey’s Paw” mainly takes place in an old house in the middle of no where and starts during a large storm. This already gives the reader a bad feeling. Then as the story unfolds one character tells the main characters about a talisman that can grant three men three wishes. Two men had already made there wishes and had them granted, and the first after his first two wishes, wished for death, this foreshadows what is to come very well. Then after the first wish is made a great tragedy befell the main characters, which they used the second wish to attempt to reverse. But in there erratic and irrational behavior they summon something that one character uses his final wish to bring death to what he had summoned. The suspense that is used in this story draws the reader in and want to keep reading until its over and find out how the characters change with the promise of what ever they wanted, and the suspense, setting really do their job well.
All-in-all this story is very intriguing and at times exciting. The letting let the reader know that if anything bad were to happen to them no one could help them. Then the suspense keeps the readers attention until the very end. In conclusion this story can truly keep some at the edge of their seat.
Anthony A.
Period 6
There is a very important lesson taught in the short story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs. You shouldn’t try and change your fate, those that do will do so in their sorrow. The first three people to get the paw that Fakir put a spell on will get there wishes. I think that the paw really works and that it is not just a coincidence.
Sargent Major Morris told Mr. and Mrs. White and his son about the monkey’s paw. Mr. White took the paw and after the Sargent left he made his first wish. His second wish was two hundred pounds so that they could pay off the house. The next day a Gentle man in a suit came to their house and said he had some news. The gentleman told them that their son had died in a machinery accident. The factory was offering them two hundred pounds. Mr. and Mrs. White’s second wish was that their son was alive again. The next thing they knew there was a knock on the door. When Mrs. White ran down the stairs to open the door she couldn’t reach the last lock. Mr. White was looking for the paw while she was getting the chair. She finally opened the door and there was no one there. Mr. White had made his last wish just in time and wished his son dead again.
So this is too much to be just a coincidence the paw must have worked. So I think that you should not try and change your fate. Those who try and change their fate do so in their own sorrow. “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs teaches a very good lesson.
Kaeleigh S. 6th period
Steven Campbell October 1, 2010
In the short story “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W. Jacobs is about having your wishes granted. Although it would be nice to have all of your wishes granted, it could lead to more harm than good.
Firstly, there is a saying that everything happens for a reason. If that is the case then people should not be making wishes that could and will change their destined future. Also, if things really do happen for a reason than everything that is “mean to be,” will happen eventually in life.
However, wishes can also have a very disastrous effect on a person’s life. Say a parent lost their child and are filed with grief and sorrow. This is rightfully so, but then this parent makes a wish to bring their child back from the dead. By doing this, this person is breaking the laws of nature and this child might come back and totally ruin their parents’ life.
In conclusion, a person can do more harm than good by making wishes. This is explained vividly in the short story “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W. Jacobs.
Steven Campbell October 1, 2010
In the short story “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W. Jacobs is about having your wishes granted. Although it would be nice to have all of your wishes granted, it could lead to more harm than good.
Firstly, there is a saying that everything happens for a reason. If that is the case then people should not be making wishes that could and will change their destined future. Also, if things really do happen for a reason than everything that is “mean to be,” will happen eventually in life.
However, wishes can also have a very disastrous effect on a person’s life. Say a parent lost their child and are filed with grief and sorrow. This is rightfully so, but then this parent makes a wish to bring their child back from the dead. By doing this, this person is breaking the laws of nature and this child might come back and totally ruin their parents’ life.
In conclusion, a person can do more harm than good by making wishes. This is explained vividly in the short story “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W. Jacobs.
In “The Monkey’s Paw” W.W Jacobs uses setting, foreshadowing and suspense in the short story. Using these elements make “The Monkey’s Paw” interesting. Jacobs keeps the reader wanting more.
Jacobs uses suspense by keeping the readers guessing what will happen. He uses lots of describing words to get the reader to feel the eeriness of the story. When Jacobs describes the candle light reflecting on the wall, he describes it as an uneasy feeling at night making it scary and dark. This setting helps the mood of the short story.
Another example of Jacobs use of writing is when the monkey paw “twists” in the old mans hand. The word “twist” makes the paw come alive. By using this word makes the mood uneasy and scary.
In all, Jacobs uses a lot of foreshadowing, suspense in his story. It always makes tge reader curious and scared but wanting more. Since he used a lot of details it makes you have a visual affect on what’s happening.
Abby Armstrong
Period 7
10/1/10
I read the story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs. This story is mostly about fate. I believe that the fakir’s spell to make people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate. Those that do will do so to their sorrow was true.
In the story, Sgt. Major Morris visited the White’s and their son Herbert. On his visit, he told them about a priest who put a spell on a monkey’s paw to grant three different people three wishes each. The Sgt. Tried to convince them how evil and awful it was, but they wouldn’t believe him. When they first wished for 200 pounds, their son died. Nothing good came of the monkey’s paw and it left the family devastated and without their only son.
The White’s shouldn’t have tried to change their fate. When they did try, they did only to their sorrow. They lost their son and the paw almost drove them mad.
marissa magro 7
Kyle Crandall 10/1/10
English 10 Essay
According to W.W. Jacobs “The Monkey’s Paw, is it good or bad to have your wishes come true? Some say it is the worst thing that could happen to you. I agree.
I think it is bad to have your wishes come true. In my opinion I don’t think it is even possible to get a wish granted. I think it is just coincidence. If by chance you do get a wish granted you may get what you want, but at the cost of something greater.
So I do not believe that you can get your wish granted. I don’t think it is logical. It would also end badly if it did come true. That is what I think.
In “The Monkey’s Paw” a man has a monkey paw that has “magic”. The fakir’s spell is like an Indian magic man. The fakir’s spell, I believe, is both. Maybe things happen for a reason. Sometimes you just can’t tell.
First, I think that the fakir’s spell may be fake, for the most part. I also believe it was just coincidence. I think this because their son Herbert wasn’t even gone long enough to tell. People getting caught in machinery happened all the time back then.
Second, I also believe that it may have been the monkeys paw. I believe this because the paw fell to the ground every time the old man made a wish. In addition, Sgt. Major Morris said exactly what would happen. Everyone wished for death for the last wish, and the old man did.
In conclusion, I believe both sides. I also think only certain parts are coincidence. But I also think some parts are real. Sometimes things happen unexpectedly.
Brandy Tucker
Period 7
Alyssa Kolodziejski
Period-7
‘The Monkeys Paw”
The story “The Monkey’s Paw’ by W.W Jacobs is about how this Monkeys’ Paw grants three wishes. As the family sees it, half think it’s not real and the others believe it so they keep it. Could getting your wishes to true always be a good thing? Is there a downside to the wish when it’s granted?
The way I saw it, I thought “How could getting your wishes come true be a bad thing?” But after reading this story I learned that, your wish may come true, but sometimes with that comes something bad. The story proved this, after the family made a wish for 200lbs of money. The money came. But with that Mr. White’s son died.
I think that if something is too good to be true, it probably is. If something like this ever happens, which it won’t you need t be careful or just avoid it. So all in all, having your wishes come true isn’t so good after all.
In the story “The Monkeys Paw” the White family got a paw to make wishes from Sergeant Morris. Sometimes making wishes is good and other times it isn’t.
Having your wishes come true can be a good thing. But you can also make a bad wish. One of the worst things that could happen when making a wish is that you can take a person’s life away. But you can make a good wish to help someone. Making a wish with the monkey’s paw it can be a bad thing to do.
Making wishes can be okay at certain times. However according to the story, it’s probably not a good idea. When Mr. White got the paw in his hand he decided to keep it all for himself. But his wife wanted to make a wish for her son to come back from the dead after ten days.
In this conclusion the Whites might have lost there son, but they’ll always remember him. May their son rest in peace
Tyler D period 7
Alyssa Kolodziejski
Period-7
“The Monkeys Paw”
The story “The Monkey’s Paw’ by W.W Jacobs is about how this Monkeys’ Paw grants three wishes. As the family sees it, half think it’s not real and the others believe it so they keep it. Could getting your wishes to true always be a good thing? Is there a downside to the wish when it’s granted?
The way I saw it, I thought “How could getting your wishes come true be a bad thing?” But after reading this story I learned that, your wish may come true, but sometimes with that comes something bad. The story proved this, after the family made a wish for 200lbs of money. The money came. But with that Mr. White’s son died.
I think that if something is too good to be true, it probably is. If something like this ever happens, which it won’t you need t be careful or just avoid it. So all in all, having your wishes come true isn’t so good after all.
The fakir’s spell in the W.W Jocob’s “The Monkey’s Paw” people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate, and those that will, do so to their sorrow, I believe is true. I do not believe at all that the events in this story were coincidence.
When Mr. White took the monkey’s paw, he wished for two hundred pounds. Mr. White did get his money, however, he also received the death of his son, Herbert. Mr. White was warned by the sergeant that the monkey’s paw would bring bad news along with what he’d wish for.
Mrs. White insisted that Mr. White should wish for their son back. Mr. White was afraid to wish for Herbert back because he thought he was going to get an evil son that might haunt them. Mrs. White wouldn’t stop begging Mr. White to wish for Herbert back, and even as afraid as he was, he did. Mr. and Mrs. White waited, and waited for their son to get back. As Mrs. White was just upset and sad that Herbert didn’t come back, Mr. White however was pleased. They soon went to bed. After awhile a knocking was at the door. Mrs. White got right up as fast as she could to the door. The door was locked and she couldn’t reach the lock. Mr. White was panicking. He was searching for the monkey’s paw to wish for they haunted son gone. Right when Mrs. White got the to the lock to open the door Mr. White got the monkey’s paw. Mrs. White opened the door. Nothing, and no one, was there.
Everything that happened in “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W Jacobs, happened exactly right. Mr. White wished for money, his son died, and his company gave him two hundred pounds. He wished for Herbert back, and someone was knocking at the door awhile after. Mr. White wished for his son dead again, and there ended up being nobody outside the door. Therefore, due to these events that occurred in this story, I do not believe they happened in coincidence.
Charissa C. 7th period
The story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs teaches a lesson about a fakir’s spell to make people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate, and if you do so, you do into your sorrow. I agree with this and I think that the events of the story are just coincidences.
In the story the White’s get a visit from Sgt. Major Morris, who brings with him a monkey’ paw. This paw has a history that the last man’s wish is always for death. The fakir’s spell comes into play when the Whites wish for 200 pounds to pay off their house. But, how they get these 200 pounds is by the death of their son, who dies while working. Their first wish shows both evidence of the fakir’s spell, and coincidence, because their fate could have been just to gradually pay off their house The spell bought the death of their son with the 200 pounds. It’s also a coincidence because they didn’t expect to have their son going to work alive and never coming back.
The White’s second wish was to bring back their son back. To bring their son back would be illogical because he got torn up in a machine. He has also been buried for 10 days so he would be a complete wreck. The coincidence is that they never saw their son. They only heard the “knocking” on the door which could have been wind. When Mr. White wished for his son’s death on the final wish, they open the door and he isn’t there. He never could have been there, and never could have come back from the dead.
The story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs shows a lesson by a fakir’s spell to not mess with your own fate. It also showed how the events that occurred with the wishes could have been coincidences.
Laura M. Period 7
The story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs teaches a lesson about a fakir’s spell to make people understand that you shouldn’t try to change your fate, and if you do so, you do into your sorrow. I agree with this and I think that the events of the story are just coincidences.
In the story the White’s get a visit from Sgt. Major Morris, who brings with him a monkey’ paw. This paw has a history that the last man’s wish is always for death. The fakir’s spell comes into play when the Whites wish for 200 pounds to pay off their house. But, how they get these 200 pounds is by the death of their son, who dies while working. Their first wish shows both evidence of the fakir’s spell, and coincidence, because their fate could have been just to gradually pay off their house The spell bought the death of their son with the 200 pounds. It’s also a coincidence because they didn’t expect to have their son going to work alive and never coming back.
The White’s second wish was to bring back their son back. To bring their son back would be illogical because he got torn up in a machine. He has also been buried for 10 days so he would be a complete wreck. The coincidence is that they never saw their son. They only heard the “knocking” on the door which could have been wind. When Mr. White wished for his son’s death on the final wish, they open the door and he isn’t there. He never could have been there, and never could have come back from the dead.
The story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs shows a lesson by a fakir’s spell to not mess with your own fate. It also showed how the events that occurred with the wishes could have been coincidences.
Laura M. Period 7
English 10 Jacob Brege
“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs Writing Piece (3)
There is a major theme to the short story, “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs. The theme is “the worst thing that could happen to you is to have your wishes come true”. Many people believe this. I however, disagree with it for the most part.
“The Monkey’s Paw” is a story about an elderly couple whose worlds are turned upside down when they make a couple wishes with a magical monkey paw. Their first wish was for 200 pounds so that they could pay off their mortgage. They received the money after their son was mangled and killed in a machine at work. Their second swish was for their son to come back to life; this frightened the old man horribly so he used the third and final wish to get rid of “the thing”, thought to be his son, banging on the door. The wish was granted. The theme of this story was to not wish for too much because horrible things come with them.
Some people believe that getting what you wish for can be the worst thing to ever happen to them. I believe they think this way because if you get what you wish for, you become a selfish, spoiled brat. I disagree with these people. Becoming a selfish, spoiled brat is defiantly not the worst thing that can happen to you. Yes, it’s not a good thing, but much worst things could happen.
“The Monkey’s Paw”, by W.W. Jacobs was meant to warn people that getting what you wish for can be the worst thing to ever happen to you. Many people believe this theme and take it to heart. I disagree with it. Though. There are way worse things in the world than getting what you wish for.
There are a few things i wud like to say here about this story.
i feel that towards the end the story became illogical in order to give it a scary ending.Bringing back from the dead? knocking suddenly stopping? if i remember correctly then at one point Mr White quoted that the wishes were granted in a natural manner.if this is so ,then how can one be brought back from the dead.And even if that IS done somehow,shouldn't the boy drop dead at the door instead of vanishing in thin air when Mr white makes his last wish?
Secondly , regarding the thing that "those who change fate will do so to their sorrow" .i read thru the comments and found that majority of them are telling that its bad to get their wish granted .let me bring you this fact into consideration.Do not forget that there was a MAGIC put by a Fakir on the talisman to act so.What if there was a fakir who casted the spell to "live ur life as you please and make as many wishes as you want."
Just think about it .You would be saying the vice-versa of what you are saying in the current context :)
All i want to say is that in life there is no absolute right or wrong.
Lol i was just wondering what would the talisman do if someone had wished to be "Happy" xD
oh and just a tip: while making wishes always leave no loop holes which cud be exploited by the wish giver.
Peace :D
There are a few things i wud like to say here about this story.This story is simply fantasy and is partially highlighting the aspect of life.why partially ? read below:
i feel that towards the end the story became illogical in order to give it a scary ending.Bringing back from the dead? knocking suddenly stopping? if i remember correctly then at one point Mr White quoted that the wishes were granted in a natural manner.if this is so ,then how can one be brought back from the dead.And even if that IS done somehow,shouldn't the boy drop dead at the door instead of vanishing in thin air?
Secondly , regarding the thing that "those who change fate will do so to their sorrow" .i read thru the comments and found that majority of them are telling that its bad to get their wish granted .let me bring you this fact into consideration.Do not forget that there was MAGIC put by a Fakir on the talisman to act so.What if there was a fakir who casted the spell to "live ur life as you please and make as many wishes as you want."
Just think about it .You would be saying the vice-versa of what you are saying in the current context :)
All i want to say is that in life there is no absolute right or wrong.This story is just like one of those which are made to be narrated around a camp fire xD
Lol i was just wondering what would the talisman do if someone had wished to be "Happy" xD
oh and just a tip: while making wishes always leave no loop holes which cud be exploited by the wish giver.Otherwise you might end up like the Whites ;)
Peace :D
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