Be Careful What You Wish For! The Monkey’s Paw Be Careful What You Wish For!

General Information General Information Author: Genre: Publication Year: W.W. Jacobs Gothic horror 1902

About the Author W.W. Jacobs 1863 – 1943 A Boy Among Boats As a young man, Jacobs worked for the government while also writing stories. These stories soon made Jacobs a popular and respected author. In fact, one critic called Jacobs “one of the most permanently delightful short story writers who ever lived.” Ships and Shivers Many of W. W. Jacobs’s stories are about the shops he knew so well. In fact, his first collection of stories, Many Cargoes, was about the sea. Jacobs also wrote 19 more books of sea stories and horror stories like “The Monkey’s Paw,” which brought him great success. W.W. Jacobs 1863 – 1943

Character Preview Character Preview Mr. White: Elderly man who describes how he has everything he needs. Is tempted by the Paw Mrs. White: Wife of Mr. White. Herbert White: Son of Mr. White. Sergeant-Major Morris: Dinner guest of the Whites. He brings with him a curious talisman, a mummified (preserved) monkey's paw.

Summary and Plot Overview Sergeant-Major Morris visits the elderly Mr. White and his son, Herbert Sergeant-Major interests the two men with his stories of adventure, but also with his possession of a talisman called the Monkey’s Paw The Paw is said to be able to grant 3 wishes

Summary and Plot Overview Morris warns the men of the dangers of the talisman. How it has caused him trouble. He even tries to destroy it. Mr. White, his wife, and his son take ownership of it. Strange twists of fortune and fate await the White family.

Literary Focus Literary Focus Setting Great Britain, Early 1900s A gloomy location described as a bog; the setting is emphasized as part of the story’s overall feeling of darkness, gloom and horror. This setting serves as a contrast to the inside of their house

Literary Focus Foreshadowing Foreshadowing Mr. White’s reckless chess moves at the beginning of the story—he reacts before he thinks Sergeant Morris’ warnings about the Monkey’s Paw

Literary Focus Literary Focus Point of View Third- Person Omniscient. the narrator can reveal the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters

Literary Focus Tied directly to the wish the Monkey’s Paw grants. Climax and Irony Tied directly to the wish the Monkey’s Paw grants. Try to predict the ironic twist the accompanies the granting of the first wish.

Literary Focus Symbol The House The Monkey’s Paw Provides shelter from the outside world; protection from its temptations and evil A temptation from the outside world It twists like a snake, offering “fruit,” but really promising only ruin

Themes and Focus The Dangers of Risks The Inherent Greed of Man The Concept of Being Careful What You Wish For The Dangers of Shortcuts Man and Fate Unintended Consequence

Pre-Reading Question Make an inference about the different possible outcomes that could occur from owning the Paw.

Pre-Reading Question 2. Make another inference about how reckless play in a chess match could foreshadow disaster if you owned the Monkey’s Paw.

Pre-reading Question 3. Make another inference about how third-person point of view might be the best choice of narration for the genre of a horror story.

Pre-Reading Question 4. Envision yourself with the Monkey’s Paw. What wish could you possible make that could get you into a bit of trouble? Explain.

Pre-Reading Question 5. Analyze and explain what these themes present in the story may be saying about life, success, fortune, and death.

Pre-read Number 6 6. Compare these symbols and their meaning to other stories. Do you see any connection or allusions to any other famous works? (Hint: think from a Biblical perspective)

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