Monkey's Paw: A Short Story

W. W. Jacobs wrote the short story “The Monkey’s Paw” in 1902. A great number of adaptations of the story have since been created using different forms of media. The two which are being compared here are the play adaptation The Monkey’s Paw dramatized by Mara Rockliff and the 2011 film version The Monkey’s Paw by Ricky Lewis Jr. Both the play and film feature the White family receiving a monkey’s paw by which three wishes may be granted. The paw had a spell put on it by a holy man who wanted to show that fate rules people’s lives and that if people try to interfere, they will be sorry. The main differences between the play and the film are that film gives more background information about how and why the paw was obtained, uses more

13. Herbert’s lighthearted and witty personality s what helped me deduce that something bad was going to happen to him. His general attitude about the paw, despite being told a myriad of times that the paw is dangerous, is playful. Similar to a child when being told not to do something, Herbert tells his father to wish for 200 pounds in order to pay off their house. Even when his father says that after making the wish, he saw the paw move, Herbert makes a joke about how he doesn’t see the

In order to successfully compare and contrast the ending of the short story “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W Jacobs and the ending of Ricky Lewis Jr.’s film adaptation, one must meaningfully think about all of the differences and similarities in both version. In both medias Herbert, who is son of Mr. and Mrs. White gets sent back into his grave. In the film all the characters die, while in the story Herbert is the only character that dies.

Every year movies come into theaters that are based on popular books and stories. In these movie blockbusters, the general ideas are the same as in the written stories, but the details may contrast from the original plot in the text. In the short story, “The Monkey’s Paw” written by W. W. Jacobs, circles around the idea that this paw of monkeys' holds a special capability to grant three wishes to the person who receives the paw. Coming from India, Sergeant-Major Morris visits the White family and brings the intriguing paw with him. Explaining its purpose and use to them, they are all very fascinated with the idea of what potential power it holds within. Disregarding the warning Sergeant-Major Morris supplied, Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds in the short story, and 300 pounds in the cinematic production.. The consequences would soon become known and affect the White’s stable lives forever. Two other wishes are made to try to reverse the repercussions of the first wish, leaving the White family in despair. When comparing two tellings of the same story there may be many similarities and differences that emerge, providing distinct examples of what is relatively the same and what is definitely not.

Jacobs uses his characters even further to build up suspense by describing their physical reaction as well as their dialogue. Mr White's "brow cold with sweat" shows us how his fear has lead him to the point of sweating proving that he is afraid of the wish he just made. This also convinces the reader that the paw holds forces not to be reckoned with and that if Herbert did come back it would be a horrific rather than cheerful moment. Also Mr White "caught his breath" when ordered to find the paw, showing that he was scared and dreaded the moment when he would have to wish for his son back as he knew it would lead to doom. This realisation of the potential hazards they would face if Herbert were brought back creates fear and suspense. The description of the character's physical actions is very useful, as it depicts the emotions and thoughts of a character to an extent that dialogue cannot.

The day after they conversed about the paw, Herbert and his mother teased his father about making a wish about money and that they would have to disown him for his greed. Herbert jokingly urged his father to make a wish for £200, to pay off the mortgage of their house. The mother and son continued and insinuated as she followed Herbert to the door, as he went to work. As the story unveiled, the mortgage is paid off with the granted wish of £200. Much to Mrs. White’s chagrin, her son had died due to him being caught in the machinery at work. Her son’s death yielded them the £200 that they had originally wished for.

Embers flew from the campfire, and into the starry night sky; meanwhile, the campers, Jackie, Carl, and Jim, sat close to it for warmth. “Now who's ready for a campfire story?” said Jackie. “You can sometimes go a little overboard, so Carl is taking the wheel.” Carl continued, “Once upon a time” Jim screams, and Carl rolls his eyes at Jim, “May I proceed,” He responds rhetorically. By the time Carl finishes the scary story, Jim has already dashed into the tent, startling his dog, a basset hound named Roxy. Carl along with Jackie look at each other in regretful worry, as they walk towards Jim's tent.

After a rough night, Billy and his team went back to the camp with several coon skins. Because of his dogs determination and loyalty even through a blizzard, Billy won the competition. After that, everyone started to head home. Awhile later, Billy, Old Dan, and Little Ann went hunting again. Billy was not prepared for this hunt. During the hunt, Old Dan and Little Ann tracked down a mountain lion. They would not give up the hunt until the lion was dead. While saving Billy's life, Old Dan and Little Ann were wounded very badly. Even though Billy and his parents did their best to treat Old Dan and Little Ann's wounds, Old Dan did not make it long after the hunt. Shortly after Old Dan's death, Billy buried him. Since Old Dan and Little Ann had always done everything together, Little Ann was so sadden that she stopped eating and became weak. As she was dying, she drug herself all the way out to Old Dan's grave and died beside his grave. Billy buried her beside Old Dan. With the competition money, Billy's father and mother had enough money to move to town, so they did. Before leaving, Billy visited Old Dan and Little Ann's grave once more. There he saw the legendary red

“Jackie, you can sometimes go a little overboard, so Carl is taking the wheel.” Carl continues. “Once upon a time” Jim screams. He rolls his eyes at Jim, “May I proceed,” He responds rhetorically. By the time Carl finishes the scary story, Jim has already dashed into the tent, startling his dog, a basset hound named Roxy. Carl and Jackie look at each other in regretful worry, walking towards Jim's tent. Opening the tents flap reveals Jim smothering his face into his pillow, crying. “Oh, I didn't mean to scare you with my story, Jim” apologized Carl.“It's just a story, Jim, there's nothing to be afraid of.” sneered Jackie, resting her hand on his shoulder. “Jackie! You know I don't like scary stories!” He cried, muffled by his pillow. “Hey, listen Jim, you can't

Do you think that a wish can make you lose someone you love dearly? In the “Monkey’s Paw” by W.W Jacobs a family is torn apart when a cursed paw is given to Mr. White is the most responsible for Herbert’s death, will be seen through several examples from the text.

Sergeant Morris wanted to destroy the monkey’s paw before it messed up another life. Then Morris told them how the man before he got it wished for death

Sam loves to read cookbooks. His wife gets him one on his birthday. Sam tells her he will try to make a new recipe for three days in a row.

Buck curiously licked the snow when he got off the ship in Canada. Buck’s first day at Dyea beach was horrible. He witnessed his first attack. A husky dog attacked and killed Curly. Buck had dreams about this attack. He was really upset about it. At night Buck curiously walked into the warm tent and learn quickly he wasn’t a loud in there. As Buck was slowly walking around to find

The story begins on a rainy evening with Mrs. White, Mr. White, and their son Herbert gathered in the parlor. Mrs. White is sitting in her chair knitting as she looks on as her husband is losing to Herbert in a game of chess. From the inside, Mr. White can hear the footsteps of someone walking along their walkway and onto their porch. Mr. White immediately gets up to answer the door and is happy to see his longtime friend Sergeant-major Morris. Mr. White introduces Sergeant-major Morris to his wife and son and invites him into the parlor where they could have drinks. After a couple of drinks, Sergeant-major Morris begins entertaining the family about his adventures in India, when Mr. White

Mr. White quick off his feet rescues it. Sergeant Morris demands he leaves the paw alone multiple times. Mr. White does not listen to Sergeant Morris. After, Sergeant Morris explains how to make a wish but highly discourages it. Sergeant Morris leaves and tells him the person before him who had this paw was that his last wish was for death. After Sergeant Morris leaves Herbert, Mr. White's son, says he is full of nonsense. Herbert says a thousand dollars would be nice in order to pay off the house. So, Mr. White makes the wish for a thousand dollars. Nothing happens for a while. Herbert leaves that night to go work in the factory and says he should be home for breakfast. The next morning Mr. and Ms. White notice Herbert is 20 minutes late. They keep looking out the window for him, but then they spot a woman in nice clothes walking around outside. Later she finally approached the house. She tells Mr. and Ms. White that their son died last night in the factory. Regret is seen vividly when Mr. and Ms. White receives this news. She hands them a suitcase with a thousand dollars in it and says this is for your lose. Mr. and Ms. White griefs until Ms. White comes up with a great idea. Mr. White runs and grabs the paw and wishes for their Hebert back. They look at the window and sees something arise from the graveyard. Ms. White is unable to open the door in time. Mr. White runs painfully and grabs the paw and wishes for his son to be dead in peace. This story was very