THE MONKEY’S PAW

By: Jack Finney

Kuczek-GHS-2013

GET O UT YO U R SHORT STO RY STUDY GUIDE

Write these notes on the back of your short story study guide.

FORESHADOWING

Used to add tension

Gives details and hints about coming events

“If you keep it, don’t blame me for what happens.”

• What could this foreshadow?

WRITE THESE WORDS AND DEFINITIONS ON YOUR

VOCABULARY SHEET

Be sure to add a picture for each word.

VOCABULARY

Apathy-n. lack of interest or emotion (p.39) The bored audience looked at the speaker with apathy.

Credulity- n. Tendency to believe too readily (p.36) Due to his credulity, Tim was unaware that the news report was fake.

Furtively- adv. Secretively ; sneakily; stealthy (p. 39) When no one was looking, she reached furtively for the last slice of pie.

Grave- adj. very serious and worrying (p.35) The doctor had a grave expression on her face when she gave John’s family the bad news.

Maligned- adj. spoken ill of (p.36) The CD maligned by critics, was still a tremendous hit.

Oppressive- adj. Causing great discomfort; distressing (p.41) The heat was so oppressive that they finally opened a window.

ANTICIPATORY QUESTIONS

Why do we love the idea of getting wishes?

What is one thing you would wish for?

If you won the lottery would that be a good thing?

Is family more important than money?

Why do we not always heed people’s warnings?

WRITE THE FOLLOWING DOWN WITH SPACE BETWEEN

“I had a spell put on it by an old faldr” said the sergeant major, “a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it so to their sorrow

A fine crash from the piano greeted the words, interrupted by a shuddering from the old man, his wife and son ran toward him.

“It moved,” he cried with a glance of disgust at the object as it lay on the floor. “As I wished it twisted in my hand like a snake.”

“The paw!” she cried wildly. “The monkey’s paw!”

He started up in alarm. “Where? Where is it? What’s the matter?”

She came stumbling across the room toward him. “I want it,” she said quietly

LET’S READ!!!

While you read I want you to focus on foreshadowing.

Use the excerpts we wrote down previously to make predictions. Look at what clues you have and work with prior knowledge to make the predictions.