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Monkeys Paw Theme

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The Monkey’s Paw is a short story written by W. W. Jacobs that tells of a mystical charm and its effects on the White family. It starts with the family gathered inside their cozy home playing chess. When suddenly, Sergeant-Major Morris is at their door and they invite him in. He tells them of his time in India and how he came across a magical money paw. He tells them of how the paw can grant three wishes to three different men. That he is the second owner and that the first owner’s final wish was for death. He then proceeds to throw the paw into the fire. Mr. White instantly retrieves it and when Morris leaves pays him for it. They family later make a wish for 200 pounds, but nothing happens. Then next morning the son claims the paw is a…show more content…
With the sudden realization of what was happening, Mr. White replied with "If you don't want it Morris… give it to me” (Jacobs). Morris responds with "’I won't.’ said his friend doggedly. ‘I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don't blame me for what happens. Pitch it on the fire like a sensible man’” (Jacobs). As you can see, the second warning is substantially apparent in that using the paw would be ill advised. The third and final warning came right before Morris’ departure when he tells the Whites that if they must use it to wish for something sensible. Jacobs illustrates the strong theme throughout the narrative by using a unique form of structure. The tale is divided into three parts in which each one has its own climatic movement with each one being stronger than the pervious. Part I is classified as an exposition because a detached third person narrator describes the overall setting and characters in the tale. In this part the Monkey’s Paw is introduced which plays a key role later in the text. Moreover, Part II is the rising action of the story because the first tension point is exhibited when the son’s death is revealed, and the company’s compensation is exactly 200 pounds- what the father wished for. This indicates that the Monkey’s Paw is a cursed omen, just as Sergeant- Major Morris said. Lastly, Part III is the falling action because the resolution is finally given in the last sentence of the
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