Mystery of the monkey’s paw By:Elsie Wassmer
“Be careful what you set your heart upon, for it will surely be yours” (Baldwin 3). Does this quote have anything to do with The Monkey’s Paw, or was the story all one coincidence. Well you can decide that for yourself but in the story there are a few important details that might uncover what the author is trying to say. The Monkey’s Paw is about a man named Mr.White. He one day comes across an old dried up monkey paw, a man named Sergeant Major Morris tells Mr.White “An old fakir cursed it to remind people that you can't change fate and when people try they will live forever in their sorrows” (Jacobs 93). Despite this warning Mr.White is still thinking of using the paw and its supposed power. Sergeant Major Morris throws the paw in the fire and says “I threw it …show more content…
“wish for 200 pounds” (Jacobs 93).Herbert White (Mr.White’s son) said. Mr.White makes his first wish but there was a price to pay. The Whites get news that their son Herbert White is dead and that they will receive 200 pounds. Is this just a coincidence or is the old dried up monkey paw the reason for the money and their sons death. The next wish Mr.White makes is for his son to come back alive. After the wish is made his mind fills with regrets. In the dark of night the Whites hear a constant knocking on their door is it their son that they wished back to life or just a sound coming from the outside. As Mr.White opens the door he makes his third and final wish, for his son not to come back, when he opens the door nothing is there. Was his third wish answered for their son to stay dead or did their son ever come back to life in the first place. I think the author's intention is to leave it a mystery but if we go by the first wish, then the monkey’s paw is definitely doing something and shows that you should be careful what you set your heart
“Be careful what you set your heart upon, for it will surely be yours” (Baldwin 3). Does this quote have anything to do with The Monkey’s Paw, or was the story all one coincidence. Well you can decide that for yourself but in the story there are a few important details that might uncover what the author is trying to say. The Monkey’s Paw is about a man named Mr.White. He one day comes across an old dried up monkey paw, a man named Sergeant Major Morris tells Mr.White “An old fakir cursed it to remind people that you can't change fate and when people try they will live forever in their sorrows” (Jacobs 93). Despite this warning Mr.White is still thinking of using the paw and its supposed power. Sergeant Major Morris throws the paw in the fire and says “I threw it …show more content…
“wish for 200 pounds” (Jacobs 93).Herbert White (Mr.White’s son) said. Mr.White makes his first wish but there was a price to pay. The Whites get news that their son Herbert White is dead and that they will receive 200 pounds. Is this just a coincidence or is the old dried up monkey paw the reason for the money and their sons death. The next wish Mr.White makes is for his son to come back alive. After the wish is made his mind fills with regrets. In the dark of night the Whites hear a constant knocking on their door is it their son that they wished back to life or just a sound coming from the outside. As Mr.White opens the door he makes his third and final wish, for his son not to come back, when he opens the door nothing is there. Was his third wish answered for their son to stay dead or did their son ever come back to life in the first place. I think the author's intention is to leave it a mystery but if we go by the first wish, then the monkey’s paw is definitely doing something and shows that you should be careful what you set your heart