THE MONKEY’S PAW By W.W. Jacobs

WARM UP Which do you believe to be true?: I am in complete control of everything that happens to me in my life, good or bad, and nothing is predetermined. I am the maker of my own destiny. Or…. The events of life are predetermined for me, and I do not have control over what happens to me, good or bad. Everything happens for a reason, and I should not try to challenge my destiny. Choose the statement that best reflects your opinion, and support your answer with a specific example.

PURPOSE The influence of setting on the mood and tone of the story, The specific reason for reading a piece of literature. In this case, our purpose is to Analyze: The influence of setting on the mood and tone of the story, the motivations of characters, and the application of the theme to real life.

VOCABULARY Time to check your context clue activity. How many words did you define correctly??

FAKIR Men who sell lucky charms and perform incredible feats, such as laying on a bed of nails or appearing to float.**A magic man, street performer in India.

PERIL To be in danger Noun (thing)

TALISMAN A good luck charm. Noun “Before the test, Herbert took out his talisman and wished for an A.”

AVARICIOUS To be greedy. “He came across as a greedy, uncaring, avaricious person driven by money.”

ANTIMACASSAR A decorative cloth or covering along the top of a chair or couch. “My grandmother had a knitted antimacassar on to top of her favorite chair on which the cat would sit.”

SIMIAN To be monkey-like or ape-like Adjective “The fire had a simian look in the flames, like a howler monkey staring back.”

ENTHRALLED To be very interested in something. “The three sat enthralled, listening to the Sergeant Major’s story eagerly.”

FATE A person’s destiny Noun (thing) Fate has played an important role in the play of Romeo and Juliet.

SURVEYING To look across the land Adjective (helps a noun) Mr. Hager was surveying the land before they could start their project.

PROSAIC When something is dull or boring. “There was an air of prosaic wholesomeness in the room, just like every other day.”

CREDULITY To be gullible or easily fooled Noun (thing) The girl thought she heard the dog talk to the cat; the mother laughed at her daughter’s credulity.

AMIABLY To do something in a friendly manner. “Mr. White welcomed the guest amiably, with a smile and a handshake.”

INTERCEPT To cross or get between two things. “Mr. White looked up, just in time to intercept a knowing glance between mother and son.”

MALIGNED When someone has been offended. “The woman was quite maligned when the dimwitted man asked her age. Didn’t he know you never ask a woman her age?”

GRIMACE An unpleasant or disgusted look. Noun (thing) Sarah bit into the octopus and grimaced at the taste.

LISTENING TO MONKEY’S PAW Monkey Paw Read Aloud Monkey's Paw Lego Version Monkey's Paw Simpson Version

Plot Line – Place in Chronological order Mr. White makes his third wish. Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds, which he is then awarded through compensation for the death of his son. “Someone” begins to knock on the front door. Sergeant Major Morris tells Mr. White to let the paw burn, but Mr. White saves it from the fire. Morris warns him of the consequences of wishing on the paw. On a cold, wet night, Mr. White and Herbert play chess while Mrs. White knits by the fire. The knocking ceases. Mrs. White runs to the door and tries to open it. She cries for Mr. White to help her with the bolt. With a pale face, Sergeant Major Morris tells Herbert that he has had his three wishes on the paw granted. Mrs. White begs for Mr. White to wish for Herbert to be alive again. Mrs. White opens the door and lets out a long wail of disappointment.

F. Mr. White makes his third wish. G. Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds, which he is then awarded through compensation for the death of his son. H. “Someone” begins to knock on the front door. I. Sergeant Major Morris tells Mr. White to let the paw burn, but Mr. White saves it from the fire. Morris warns him of the consequences of wishing on the paw. J. On a cold, wet night, Mr. White and Herbert play chess while Mrs. White knits by the fire.

Literary Element Practice: Provide an example from the Story For each Point of View Theme (What is it? How do you know?) Irony Atmosphere Motivation (What feeling does the story give readers?) Setting Suspense Foreshadowing Symbol Flashback Allusion Conflict Motif - Recurring story events, token events If there isn’t an example in the story, explain how one could be added to the story.