The Monkey's Paw Short Story Theme

Words: 501
Pages: 3
Open Document
The first topic I will be talking about is theme. In my opinion, the theme in “The Monkey’s Paw” is that your choices have consequences. In the story, Morris chose to introduce the White family to the paw. The text says “It just a bit of what you might call magic“. Morris is clearly acting mysteriously and this causes the white family to be curious about the paws powers. When they wish, they suffer the consequence of Herbert's death. In “The Old Grandfather and His Little Grandson”, I think that the theme is also consequence of choice. In this story the Daughter-in-law behaves very disrespectfully. The text says “Tears filled their eyes” and “They were ashamed for treating him so meanly”. Her choice made her son realize that he could treat her the same way unless she changed her behavior. In both of these texts, it is evident that The choices we make not only affect us, but can also affect those around us. The next topic I will talk about is Characterization. In “The Monkey’s Paw” and “The Grandfather”, The author uses indirect characterization. In “The Monkey’s Paw”, Mr. White is greedy. The text says “White, with a slight cry, stooped down and snatched it off” and later, Mr white wishes for …show more content…
The authors of these stories use tone in different ways to help us understand different elements in a story. In “The Monkey’s Paw”, The author uses tone to help us understand that the paw has a negative impact. For example, The text says “As I wished, it twisted in my hands like a snake.” The author uses the word “snake” to portray a negative consequence. In “The Grandfather”, The author says “The young peasant and his wife looked at each other and tears filled their eyes. They were ashamed because they had treated the old grandfather so meanly,”. This example from the text shows that she understands that she made a bad choice. Both of these texts show that you should be careful about what you do and think through your
Show More

Related Documents: The Monkey's Paw Short Story Theme

How Is Irony Used In Literature

Clothes,” “The Monkey’s Paw,” and “The Cask of Amontillado,” written by Hans Christian Anderson, W. W. Jacobs, and Edgar Allan Poe respectively, each use these literary devices in order to create various effects, some similar and some different, which combine together to form detailed and interesting stories. Anderson and Poe used irony in “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “The Cask of Amontillado” was used for relatively similar purposes, while it was used differently in “The Monkey’s Paw.” Poe made…

Words 873 - Pages 4

Essay Comparing The Monkey's Paw And A Tell Tale Heart

Tales of horror, crime novels and short mystery tales are generally connected by the misfortunes and suffering of their characters. “The Monkey’s Paw”, “On the Sidewalk Bleeding”, and “A Tell-Tale Heart” are all consequential stories, with a common denominator: human actions and attitudes will have a positive or negative outcome in our lives. All of these fictions have one common theme; a focus on the importance of making moral, modest, and correct decisions. Edgar Allan Poe, W.W. Jacobs, and Ed…

Words 201 - Pages 1

How Does Jacobs Create Suspense In The Monkey's Paw

In the short suspense story The Monkey's Paw By W.W Jacobs The theme is be careful what you wish for it could have consequences.The Characters help prove that that is theme because they say that the Sargent Major Morris knew it was bad so he threw it in the fire.This is important because it helps provide suspense.This also helps prove that the wish will have a consequences.Another reason why this is the theme is because of the setting.Its England 1902.This is Important because everyone is super…

Words 152 - Pages 1