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How Does W. Jacobs Create Suspense In The Monkey's Paw

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Imagine receiving a magical object that allows you to make three wishes. Would you be extremely careful of what you wish for? “The Monkey’s Paw” is a short story written by W.W Jacobs that teaches readers not only to be careful of what you wish for, but to also be grateful for what you do have rather than what you don’t have. In the story, W.W Jacobs uses suspense throughout the entire story. Each and every action, wish, and everything else included in the story will finally end up showing readers the true theme of the story. W.W Jacobs uses one and the most important element throughout the entire story. This element is suspense. For instance, in “The Monkey’s Paw,” the author allows the soldier to discuss everything about the monkey’s paw, and while Mr. White receives the paw, the soldier was very clear in stating for them to be sensible in what they wish for. Although this may be the most obvious example from the story, there is still so much more suspense in the story that add up to show the theme of the story. A quote that clearly shows suspense is included near the beginning of the story: “Herbert sat alone, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it.” W.W Jacobs uses this to show …show more content…

Jacobs allows many elements, actions, and quotes to show the true theme of the story. Two themes of this story are, again, to be careful of what you wish for, but also be grateful for what you do have rather than what you don’t. For example, after being told to wish for something sensible, the author allows Mr. White to wish for 200 pounds, or 200 dollars, to pay for his house. Little did he know, he would receive the money, but it will cause his only son to be killed in an accident. Another quote W.W Jacobs uses near the end of the story is “He was caught in the machinery...He was badly hurt, but he is not in pain.” This quote shows that the first but most extreme consequence has been made over a wish that was most likely

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