The Monkey's Paw

 The Monkey's  Paw By W.W. Jacobs:-

William Wymark Jacobs was born September 8, 1863, London, England—died September 1, 1943, London. He was English short-story writer best known for his classic horror story “The Monkey’s Paw.”

The short story starts with this line -

                       "Be careful what you wish for, you may receive it."
                                                                             — Anonymous



Mr. White

The father of Herbert and husband of Mrs. White, he is an elderly man who is annoyed that he lives so far out in the countryside. He is pleased when his friend Morris comes to visit, and the tale of the paw thrills him. When it comes down to it, though, he is hesitant to make a wish because he is worried about the consequences and thinks that he already has all he needs. Herbert's death depresses him, but he understands he cannot use the paw to bring his dead son back to life. He uses the third wish to undo what his wife did.

Mrs. White

The wife of Mr. White and mother of Mrs. White, she is initially skeptical of the paw's power. After her son is killed, though, she falls into a deep depression and decides that she should use a wish to bring Herbert back. Her hysteria and sorrow lead her to do this even though it goes against her husband's wishes.

Herbert White

The son of Mr. and Mrs. White, he works at Maw and Meggins. Youthful and enthusiastic, he is intrigued by the paw and hopes that the wishes will bring the family wealth and fame. Unfortunately, he is killed in the machinery at the factory where he works because his father's wish of two hundred pounds is fulfilled by the company compensating the family for Herbert's death.


Sergeant-Major Morris

Morris is tall and well built. He visits the Whites and regales them with exotic tales from his adventures abroad, particularly in India. He mentions the monkey's paw to them but is reluctant to let them have it; his demeanor and words suggest he is frightened of the talisman's power.


Summary-

The story begins on a stormy evening in England, where the elderly Mr. and Mrs. White and their son Herbert are gathered in their cozy family home. They are expecting a visitor, Sergeant-Major Morris, who soon arrives and regales them with tales of his time in India. Morris recounts the strange tale of a monkey's paw with the power to grant three wishes, but at a great cost to the wisher. Despite Morris's warnings, Mr. White buys the paw from him.


After Morris leaves, the Whites decide to test the paw's power. Mr. White wishes for two hundred pounds, and although nothing seems to happen immediately, they are hopeful. The next morning, Herbert dismisses the notion of the paw's power, but later that day, he tragically dies in a work accident. The Whites are devastated, but their grief is compounded when they learn that they will receive exactly two hundred pounds in compensation.


In their despair, Mrs. White suggests using the paw to wish Herbert back to life. Despite Mr. White's horror at the idea, she insists, and he reluctantly makes the wish. However, nothing happens, and they are left in anguish. That night, they hear a knocking at the door, and Mrs. White, believing it to be Herbert, rushes downstairs to let him in. In a panic, Mr. White makes a final wish on the paw, and the knocking suddenly stops. When Mrs. White opens the door, there is nobody there.


The story ends with the Whites left to grapple with the consequences of their wishes, haunted by the sinister power of the monkey's paw.




Symbol: 

1.The Monkey's Paw

 

The monkey's paw symbolizes the allure of greed and the dangerous consequences of unchecked desires. Despite Mr. White initially having no pressing need for wishes, the paw's promise of granting any desire proves irresistible. This reflects how even those who have everything they need can be tempted by the prospect of more. The paw's ability to fulfill wishes represents the power of greed to cloud judgment and lead to unforeseen outcomes.

2. Chess

The game of chess serves as a metaphor for the risky decisions made by the characters. Just as in chess, where one wrong move can lead to defeat, the choices made by the Whites regarding the monkey's paw have dire consequences. The tension and strategic thinking inherent in chess mirror the suspense and consequences of the characters' actions in the story.


      3. Motif: Cold Wind

The motif of the cold wind serves as a harbinger of impending doom throughout the story. Its presence during significant moments, such as the arrival of Sergeant-Major Morris and the news of Herbert's death, foreshadows the tragic events to come. The chilling wind underscores the eerie atmosphere and sense of foreboding that pervades the narrative.


     4.Motif: Groups of Three

The motif of groups of three underscores the theme of fate and the idea that bad luck comes in threes. From the three wishes granted by the monkey's paw to the repetition of events in threes, such as the knocking on the door and Mrs. White's urging Mr. White to wish for Herbert's return three times, the motif reinforces the story's sense of inevitability and tragic repetition.


  5.Allegory: The Holy Trinity

The motif of groups of three can also be seen as an allegory for the Holy Trinity in Christianity, consisting of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In contrast to the divine connotations of the Trinity, the monkey's paw represents a perversion of this sacred concept. By tempting the Whites with the promise of fulfilling their desires, the paw leads them into spiritual and moral peril, highlighting the story's underlying themes of hubris and the consequences of playing god.