Author The author of the Monkey’s Paw is William Wymark Jacobs He was born on September 8, 1863 and died on September 1, 1943. He lived to be 79 years old, passing away a week before his 80th birthday. He was a short story writer and novelist. He wrote numerous other short stories such as “The Toll House”, “Jerry Bundler”, “Many Cargoes” and he wrote a novel called “The Skipper’s Wooing”. But he was most famous for “The Monkey’s Paw”, published in 1902.

Setting The story is set in Lakesnam Villa at night time. The outside is described as wet and cold and the inside of the house is where the family is all warm and cozy, in front of the fire. Mrs White is knitting and Mr White and Herbert are playing a game of Chess.

Subject The subject of the story is all about how a man (Mr White) made 3 wishes on the Monkey’s Paw talisman (an object thought to have magical power and bring good luck) He gets what he wishes for, but he looses his son in the process.

Theme The danger of wishing (be careful what you wish for) The clash between domesticity and the outside world

Characters Mr White  Protagonist. He is also a round character Mrs White  Round character Herbert  Round character The Sergeant Major Morris  Flat character The Maw and Meggins representative  Flat character The Monkey’s Paw  Antagonist

Introduction / Exposition The White family is introduced as a close and content family. The friendly banter of the chess game taking place creates a warm and homely mood. Outside is described as cold and wet (it is raining outside – very rainy weather). This also sets the scene that there “story weather” is about to hit the content and happy White family. The Sergeant Major Morris visits them and introduces the mystery of the Monkey’s Paw into their lives

Development Mr White takes the paw against the old soldiers advice and makes his first wish. Before long the news of Herbert’s death and of the compensation money from Maw and Meggins, is brought to his parents. Mrs White then makes her husband take his second wish to wish their son alive again, against Mr White’s better judgement

Climax The knocking on the door sends Mrs White into an ecstasy of excitement, and Mr White realises with horror what must be outside

Denouement Mr White frantically makes his third and final wish as his wife struggles to open the door

Conclusion Silence falls and Mr White runs outside to find the street deserted. Nothing good has been achieved by invoking the magic of the monkey’s paw and the 2 old people are left finally and totally alone.