“The Monkey’s Paw”

• Written in 1902

• Classic Horror Fiction

• W.W. Jacobs' most famous story

Characters:

Mr. White Mrs. White Herbert WhiteSergeant-Major Morris

Setting: 1800’s – The Whites’ home on a cold evening with a raging fireplace.

Exposition:

Conflict: Major Conflict: The Whites are unable to undo their first wish.

Internal Conflict: The couple struggles with the grief of the loss of their son. External Conflict: Mrs. White wants her husband to use the second wish to get their son back.

Resolution How is the conflict resolved/ended? All of the wishes are used and they are unable to return to their peaceful life.

What are the characters left with?The characters are left with no more wishes and they grieve the loss of their son.

• A faint knocking is ignored by Mr. White

• Mr. White makes the third wish.

• The reader is introduced to the Whites who await the arrival of Sgt. Major

Morris.

• The couple waits for the results of the 2nd wish.

• The Whites wish for 200 lbs. to pay the house off

• Mrs. White forces Mr. White to use the 2nd wish his son alive again.

• The knocking stops and the street is deserted.

• The last wish is used up so they have no way to change the past.

• Morris tells the family about the paw’s history and warns them to not use it.

• The family gets the news that Herbert has died at work.

Place the events in the order they occurred.

Literary Devices

Suspense – a feeling of growing tension and excitement

How does the author use..

ForeshadowingForeshadowing – clues or hints of what is to come next

Irony difference between what is expected and what happens

SymbolSymbol - one thing represents another

Theme – a message about life or human nature that is communicated by a literary work.

• Tempting Fate and Chance • The granting wishes can result in tragedy

“The Monkey’s Paw”