The Monkey’s Paw W.W.Jacobs

One should use caution when interfering with the powerful forces of fate or destiny; the end results can be completely different than what one actually desires.

W.W. Jacobs W.W. Jacobs, in full William Wymark Jacobs (born September 8, 1863, London, England—died September 1, 1943, London) English short- story writer best known for his classic horror story “The Monkey’s Paw.”

Summary In "The Monkey's Paw," Sergeant- Major Morris brings home a magic monkey's paw that he found in India. It grants him three wishes: one to pay off his mortgage, one to bring his son back to life, and one to send his son's corpse back to the grave.

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Evidence Based Questioning What does it mean that Mr. White was “amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it?” 2. What does Mr. White mean by, “I should hardly think that he’d come tonight”? 3. Explain what the sergeant major means when he states, “it’s just a bit of what you might call magic.”

Evidence Based Questions 4. Why does the sergeant major say, “Better let it burn”? 5. How does Herbert’s attitude toward the paw shift after his experience with the fire? Cite specific evidence in the text that indicates where the shift occurs. 6. What is the theme of the story?