From the opening scene of the story, it is clear that Mrs. White has a strong and loving bond with her son. When their son beats his father in a game of chess, his father catches "a knowing glance between mother and son." He is their only living son, and...
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it is clear that she, especially, dotes on him. The three of them live harmoniously in their modest cottage, and it is implied that the son is devoted to his aged parents.
After the son is killed in a machinery accident at his job and the couple is awarded the same amount that they had wished for with the monkey's paw, it is clear that Mrs. White believes that their greed has killed their son. Mrs. White is inconsolable and weeps throughout the night for days after their son's funeral. It is her idea to use a second wish from the monkey's paw to bring their son back to life. She has not seen his mangled body, as her husband has, and she insists that they make the wish against her husband's wishes.
The story's setting adds to the suspense because of the isolation of the cottage. The night is dark when their son Herbert begins knocking at the door, and Mr. White has trouble keeping a match alight to help him find the monkey's paw as his wife struggles to open the door latch to let in Herbert.