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

The Monkey's Paw

by W. W. Jacobs

Start Free Trial

Themes: The Unknown

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

The story portrays the realm of the known as being preferable to the unknown, a theme in keeping with the story’s atmosphere of horror. Early on in the story, Sergeant-Major Morris tells of the exciting and varied events he witnessed during his twenty-one years in India. When Mr. White then expresses an interest in going to India, Morris soberly replies, “Better where you are.” This scene establishes the thematic tension between the known and the unknown, foreshadowing the story’s subsequent forays into the horrors of the unknown.

The monkey’s paw, itself an object infused with mystery, becomes the primary vehicle for these forays. Whether the Whites fully realize it or not, the paw offers a temptation to leave behind the reality they know in favor of an unknown one. This decision represents a risk: the unknown is, by definition, impossible to completely predict or account for, and to pursue it is to expose oneself to misfortune. 

This dynamic becomes clear just before Mr. White’s first wish. Urged by Herbert to make an extravagant wish, he replies, “I don’t know what to wish for, and that’s a fact. . . . It seems to me I’ve got all I want.” Herbert suggests that his father wish for enough money to pay off the house. Thus, Mr. White is offered the choice between the state he knows, in which he is mostly content, and one he does not know, in which he might be utterly satisfied. Mr. White chooses the unknown, and the result is that his happiness is shattered by the death of his son. Thus, the story suggests that the unknown presents hazards as well as rewards and should not be thoughtlessly chosen over the known.

Expert Q&A

What could have occurred if the Whites had opened the door during the knocking in "The Monkey's Paw"?

If the Whites had opened the door during the knocking, the story's suspense would have been resolved, potentially revealing Herbert as a reanimated, zombie-like figure. This scenario is speculative and left to the reader's imagination, as the core theme of the story is the uncertainty of fate and the consequences of interfering with it. The ambiguity maintains the horror by leaving the true nature of the knocking unanswered, emphasizing the psychological terror over physical horror.

What is the significance of the frantic scene in "The Monkey's Paw" involving Mr and Mrs White?

The frantic scene involving Mr. and Mrs. White is the story's climax, highlighting the theme "Be careful what you wish for." Mrs. White, driven by maternal instincts, desperately tries to see her resurrected son, reflecting her passive role in a male-dominated household. Conversely, Mr. White, aware of the consequences, attempts to protect his wife from the horror by reversing his reckless wish, demonstrating his character's complexity and the story's suspenseful nature.

To what extent were the events in "The Monkey’s Paw" supernatural?

The events in "The Monkey's Paw" can be interpreted as either supernatural or coincidental. W.W. Jacobs suggests that the outcomes of the wishes could be mere coincidences rather than supernatural occurrences. Mr. White's first wish results in his son's death, which could be attributed to chance, and the mysterious knocking at the door might be a lost stranger rather than a resurrected Herbert. The ambiguity leaves the reader questioning the true nature of the paw's power.

The Mysterious Knocking in "The Monkey's Paw"

In "The Monkey's Paw," the mysterious knocking at the end is widely interpreted as the corpse of Herbert, Mr. White's son, returning due to the second wish. The knocking suddenly ceases after Mr. White makes a third wish, presumably wishing Herbert back to the grave to prevent his wife from witnessing his gruesome state. The story leaves this open to interpretation, suggesting it could also be a coincidence, as the paw's powers are never explicitly confirmed.

The reasons behind the Whites' fear and distress in "The Monkey's Paw."

The Whites' fear and distress in "The Monkey's Paw" stem from the consequences of their wishes. Initially, they are intrigued by the paw's magical properties, but after their first wish results in their son's death, they become increasingly horrified by the paw's power. Their fear intensifies as they realize the potential for further tragic outcomes.

The origin and source of the monkey's paw's talismanic powers

The monkey's paw's talismanic powers originate from a spell cast by an old fakir in India. The fakir imbued the paw with the ability to grant three wishes to three different people, intending to demonstrate that fate governs people's lives and interfering with it leads to sorrow.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Previous

Themes: Fate

Next

Themes: Grief and Loss

Loading...