W.W. Jacobs once said "Be careful what you for, you may receive it". He warns readers of ourselves, and how we can sometimes make our own fears come to light. One of the greatest human fears is having what you love most taken from you. Greater still, is the fear of causing the loss of the person you love most in the world. "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs is a horror story because it plays on fear, using the supernatural paw, the setting, and suspense of the story. One important element of horror is a supernatural trait, which "The Monkey's Paw" does indeed have. The main supernatural trait would be the paw itself. The history of the paw is stated, by Sergeant-Major Morris, to have had a spell placed on it by a fakir. Sergeant Morris,
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In horror stories, suspense is what causes the readers to keep reading. One of the first parts of "The Monkey's Paw" that lures readers in, is just after Mr. White makes his first wish, on page 109. Many readers were curious on what was to happen next. Shortly after this scene, a man shows up at the home of Mr. and Mrs. White, and reveals his business with them. He informs them of Herbert's death, and the compensation offer of 200 pounds. The relationship between Herbert's death, and the 200 pounds was very suspenseful, leaving readers creeped out, and surprised. Another suspenseful moment in the story is when Mrs. White becomes blinded to the paws monstrous characteristics, by her grief. Mr. White describes his wife when he enters the room by saying her face, "was white and expectant, and to his fears seemed seemed to have an unnatural look upon it. He was afraid of her." (pg 115). The description leaves readers wondering what would happen to Mrs. White and what Mr. White would do about her. The final suspenseful moment, is Mrs. White forcing her husband to use the paw. Readers are locked into the book, curious on how, and in what form, Herbert would come back. Readers were especially engaged when the knocking appeared, and they read of Mr. and Mrs. White's differing reactions to it. They were at the edge of their seats when Mr. White finally finds the paw, and makes his third wish. Suspense is definitely prominent all throughout the story. From the first, to the last use of the paw, readers are engaged, curious, and in suspense of what was to happen
In horror stories, suspense is what causes the readers to keep reading. One of the first parts of "The Monkey's Paw" that lures readers in, is just after Mr. White makes his first wish, on page 109. Many readers were curious on what was to happen next. Shortly after this scene, a man shows up at the home of Mr. and Mrs. White, and reveals his business with them. He informs them of Herbert's death, and the compensation offer of 200 pounds. The relationship between Herbert's death, and the 200 pounds was very suspenseful, leaving readers creeped out, and surprised. Another suspenseful moment in the story is when Mrs. White becomes blinded to the paws monstrous characteristics, by her grief. Mr. White describes his wife when he enters the room by saying her face, "was white and expectant, and to his fears seemed seemed to have an unnatural look upon it. He was afraid of her." (pg 115). The description leaves readers wondering what would happen to Mrs. White and what Mr. White would do about her. The final suspenseful moment, is Mrs. White forcing her husband to use the paw. Readers are locked into the book, curious on how, and in what form, Herbert would come back. Readers were especially engaged when the knocking appeared, and they read of Mr. and Mrs. White's differing reactions to it. They were at the edge of their seats when Mr. White finally finds the paw, and makes his third wish. Suspense is definitely prominent all throughout the story. From the first, to the last use of the paw, readers are engaged, curious, and in suspense of what was to happen