The Monkey's Paw Group

Question:

sdevon777
sdevon777
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What is the most frightening moment in "The Monkey's Paw"?

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Posted by sdevon777 on Thursday October 30, 2008 at 3:09 PM and tagged with characters, plot, the monkey's paw.

Answers:


  1. linda-allen Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Only you can answer this question because only you can say what moment in the story most frightened you. This question is calling for a subjective answer, which simply means it is asking for your opinion. Your teacher wants to know what you think about this story and what part of it scared you the most. If nothing was particularly scary, then your answer can be that you didn't think it didn't scare you; try to give some reason why, like it is too old-fashioned or you could predict what was going to happen, so you were ready for it when the part that was supposed to be scary came.

    Subjective questions can be a student's lifesaver: There is no right or wrong answer--unless you leave it blank or go completely off subject. (For instance, don't say that the evil clown scared you when there is no evil clown in the story.)

    I hope that helps!

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/monkeys-paw/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/monkeys-paw/summary
    http://www.enotes.com/monkeys-paw/themes

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    Posted by linda-allen on Thursday October 30, 2008 at 4:11 PM

  2. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    For me, the most frightening moment in The Monkey's Paw is when, after the second wish, for Herbert to return from the grave, and Herbert, or some form of him is approaching the house, at the door.  Mrs. White is too short to open the top bolt, she is dragging a chair to the door, to let in whatever ghoul or zombie form of Herbert has risen from the grave, while Mr. White frantically searches for the monkey's paw.

    He gets the monkey's paw, seconds before Mrs. White is able to get the door open.  Mr. White had used his third wish to return his son to the grave where he belongs.

    For me, the suspense of reading this part of the story was the most frightening.   Wondering what Herbert looked like, after his horrific accident, and that the monkey's paw did not grant wishes in the most positive style, I wasn't sure whether Mr. White or Mrs. White would win this struggle.

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Friday October 31, 2008 at 7:16 AM