Numerous elements in the lines quoted from “The Monkey’s Paw” foreshadow specific elements of the horrific events that occur later in the story. The words “face,” “dying,” and “horrible” are particularly relevant. In the lines quoted, the Whites’ son Herbert is gazing into the fire, imagining that it shows an array of faces. While it is the fire that is dying here, Herbert himself will later die. His death is even more horrible than what he envisions, as he is dreadfully mangled in the factory machinery. Beyond the physical horrors of his damaged face and body, however, are the emotional horrors that his surviving parents must experience. They must confront the knowledge that the wished-for £200, which Herbert himself had expressed, is coming to them from the insurance—money that is paid to them only as a result of their son’s death.

Later in the story as well, when the Whites wish for Herbert’s return, the narrator states that Mr. White has “a horrible fear.” He understands that wishing for Herbert does not guarantee that the young man will be alive. Instead, White is afraid that this wish could bring to them the deceased form of “his mutilated son.” It turns out his fear was justified. White barely manages to prevent this unbearable sight, as he expends his final wish—for death.