illustration of an open-faced monkey's paw with a skull design on the palm

The Monkey's Paw

by W. W. Jacobs

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The Monkey's Paw Questions on Foreshadowing

The Monkey's Paw

"The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs employs foreshadowing to hint at the tragic outcomes of the wishes made with the cursed talisman. Sergeant-Major Morris's warnings and actions, such as throwing the...

14 educator answers

The Monkey's Paw

"The Monkey's Paw" qualifies as a horror story due to its eerie atmosphere, the supernatural element of the cursed paw granting twisted wishes, and the suspenseful, ominous events leading to tragic...

8 educator answers

The Monkey's Paw

In "The Monkey's Paw," Sergeant-Major Morris's advice to "wish for something sensible" foreshadows the tragic outcomes of the wishes made by the White family. His warning highlights the monkey's...

4 educator answers

The Monkey's Paw

The quoted lines from “The Monkey’s Paw” foreshadow the horrific acts that follow through the words “face,” “dying,” and “horrible.” Later in the story, it is Herbert who dies. His death is horrible...

1 educator answer

The Monkey's Paw

Mr. White's remark, "I should hardly think that he'd come tonight," refers to the poor weather conditions, making it unlikely for Sergeant-Major Morris to visit. This statement also serves to...

1 educator answer

The Monkey's Paw

Mr. White's chess game with his son reveals his personality as careless and prone to taking unnecessary risks. He makes a critical mistake by putting his king in peril and attempts to distract his...

2 educator answers

The Monkey's Paw

The "horrible squatting thing" foreshadows the grim consequences of using the monkey's paw, hinting at the tragic fate awaiting Herbert. When Herbert jests about the paw's curse, it ominously...

2 educator answers

The Monkey's Paw

Immediately after the first wish, Mr. White claims the monkey's paw moved like a snake, suggesting it might have understood the wish. This incident creates ambiguity about whether the paw has magical...

1 educator answer

The Monkey's Paw

Herbert sees monkey-like faces in the fire after the first wish, which foreshadows the tragic events to follow. This imagery suggests the sinister power of the monkey's paw and hints at Herbert's...

1 educator answer

The Monkey's Paw

Morris dismisses the importance of the monkey's paw offhandedly due to his skepticism and disillusionment from his long service in India, where he encountered many supposed supernatural phenomena....

1 educator answer

The Monkey's Paw

The father's chess play in "The Monkey's Paw" reveals his personality as prone to making mistakes and trying to distract from them, as seen when he makes a serious error during the game. This...

1 educator answer

The Monkey's Paw

When Sergeant-Major Morris refers to the monkey's paw as "just a bit of what you might call magic," he is downplaying its significance to deter the Whites' curiosity. His reluctance to discuss it...

1 educator answer

The Monkey's Paw

Foreshadowing in "The Monkey's Paw" includes the messenger's hesitant behavior and concerned demeanor, indicating bad news. The well-dressed man pauses three times at the gate, reflecting his...

1 educator answer

The Monkey's Paw

Mr. White's approach to chess reveals his reckless and risk-taking personality. He makes unnecessary strategic errors, indicating a lack of caution and foresight. This trait is mirrored in his...

1 educator answer