Essay On Humorous Man's Search For Meaning

1- Write a three-part plot outline of the story with a beginning, middle, and ending.

A family of three welcome an arriving visitor into their home who beholds a monkey paw in his possession that within it, holds powerful magic that prays upon the naïve, or greedy that may wish to use its power, only to find out it serves only evil intentions.

Against the wishes of the Sergeant-major, he gives it to the father who wishes to keep it for his own amusement, and personal curiosity. He did as described by the Sergeant, and uses it to wish for 200 pounds. The end result was the death of their son in his place of establishment, but with the compensation of 200 pounds by the company.

Mourning the loss of their only son, the two parents wallow …show more content…

Mr. White was a curious man that had a sense of humor in his personality. He wanted to travel and explore places such as the old temple in India. Mrs. White is a caring mother that loved her son dearly, and will act irrational with emotion at times. The son, not much is known considering his death at the halfway point, aside that he did risky tactics in Chess, putting his king at dangerous constantly. The Sergeant-major was a man of regret, and of great experience considering his twenty years of military experience, with tours of duty across the globe, meeting odd individuals, fighting in wars, and seeing plagues in far lands. Most of all, you could see the great that had considering the shift of tone and behavior he took when the Monkey-Paw was brought up, and the way he described it as causing much mischief in his life.

5- How did the author let us get to know each of these main characters? List something specific about two or three characters and how it was conveyed.
Mrs. White's wish for her son to come back, knowing full well that whatever were to come to their door would not be the son.
Mr. White talking about wanting to see the world, and his curiosity about the Monkey paw, despite the potential …show more content…

Perhaps naïve for the most part. Lighthearted initially, until forced with tension.

7- What do you believe the author wanted us to think of the mother?
That of a caring mother, who wanted her son back. Someone with irrationality when it comes to emotions.

8- What do you believe the author wanted us to think of the son?
Much isn't detailed regarding Herbert white, except that his family admires and loves him greatly, evident by the reaction of both his parents.

9- What were we to think of the sergeant-major? Is his motive clear?
He is an introducing character for the monkey paw. His motives are rather unclear, as he is aware of the monkey paws powers and evil abilities. Even wishes to destroy it, but relentlessly sells it to the family despite this. I don't believe he meant harm, but he also didn't prevent the wrongdoings that had happened to the son.

10- How effective was the tone? Give two examples.
When the mysterious man from the son's place of occupation arrived. Tensions grew as you read the hesitation, and the nervousness of the family as they waited for him to arrive at the