1. The Monkey’s Paw By
W.W. Jacobs

2. short for “checkmate,” the winning move in a chess game
Terms to Know
Mate
short for “checkmate,” the winning move in a chess game

3. Arabian Nights
A collection of ancient tales from Arabia, India, Persia, and other countries; also know as The Thousand and One Nights. Many of the stories involve wishes and magic

4. Pounds
British money – 200 hundred pounds would be worth about 1,000 dollars at the time of the story

5. liability
Legal responsibility for damage or loss

6. About the Author – W.W. Jacobs
Born in England
Full name William Wymark Jacobs
His father worked on the shipping docks
Because of this experience most of W.W. Jacobs stories are humorous seafaring tales
He wrote more than 150 stories
“The Monkey’s Paw” is his most famous story

7. Characters Mr. and Mrs. White (residents of the home)
Their son, Herbert, who is 19.
Sergeant Major Morris – a friend who served in the British Army in India for 21 years
A Stranger

8. The Setting
The story takes place in an English suburb in the White family’s home.
It is around the year 1920
The first scene opens on a dark and stormy winter night
A guest arrives at the house

9. Literature Terms SUSPENSE:
the uncertainty or anxiety the reader feels about what will happen next.
Look for examples of how the writer creates suspense in “The Monkey’s Paw”.

10. After reading questions
What is the mood at the beginning of the story?
How does the author set the mood?
How does the first owner’s wish foreshadow what is to come?
How does Morris’s statement “I’m warning you, you won’t like the consequences.” add to the suspense?

11. Summary Summarize “The Monkey’s Paw” INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
Remember to include the mood of the story.
Discuss one use of foreshadowing.
Discuss at least two examples of suspense