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 Fate

The Monkey's Paw

An alternate ending for "The Monkey's Paw" could have Mr. White not using his final wish to send Herbert back to the grave. Instead, the Whites discover a weary traveler at the door, to whom they...

3 educator answers

The Monkey's Paw

The number three motif in "The Monkey's Paw" is significant because it represents fate and the consequences of interfering with it. The talisman grants three wishes to three different people,...

2 educator answers

The Monkey's Paw

In W.W. Jacobs' "The Monkey's Paw," the monkey's paw symbolizes the power and danger of fate, emphasizing the futility of humans trying to control it. The White family, who use the paw to make...

2 educator answers

The Monkey's Paw

The meaning and function of the monkey's paw in Indian culture is to show that fate rules people's lives and that anyone who interferes with it "does so at their sorrow."

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The Monkey's Paw

The events in "The Monkey's Paw" can be partially explained as coincidence. Herbert's death and the subsequent compensation of two hundred pounds could be seen as unrelated to the wish, as workplace...

1 educator answer

The Monkey's Paw

The monkey's paw in W. W. Jacobs' story is not explicitly cursed but rather enchanted by a spell cast by an old fakir. The spell was intended to demonstrate that fate governs people's lives, and...

2 educator answers

The Monkey's Paw

The first owner's wish for death in "The Monkey's Paw" stems from the overwhelming grief and horror caused by the consequences of his previous wishes. The paw's malevolent power led to such tragic...

2 educator answers

The Monkey's Paw

The ending of "The Monkey's Paw" is predictable as it aligns with the story's theme of fate and consequences. From the moment Sergeant Major Morris warns about the paw's curse, it is evident that...

1 educator answer

The Monkey's Paw

Sergeant-Major Morris acquired the monkey's paw after its first owner used his final wish for death, implying disastrous consequences from his previous wishes. Morris, despite knowing this, took the...

2 educator answers