“The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs

“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, was originally published in 1902 as part of his collection The Lady of the Barge, being a landmark work of supernatural horror, exploring themes of fate, unintended consequences, and the inherent risks of tampering with the unknown. Its chilling atmosphere and cautionary message about the dangers of unchecked desire have solidified its place as a classic of the genre.

Main Events in “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs

Part One

• The Introduction: A family (Mr. White, Mrs. White, and their son Herbert) welcomes their guest, Sergeant-Major Morris, who has served in the British army in India.
• The Monkey’s Paw: Sergeant-Major Morris introduces the family to a mummified monkey’s paw, which he claims has magical powers. According to legend, it can grant three wishes to three separate people.
• The Warning: Morris shares that his wishes on the paw led to negative consequences and he cautions them not to use it. Despite the danger, Mr. White is tempted.

Part Two

• The First Wish: Even though the others are skeptical, Mr. White wishes for two hundred pounds. To his horror, the paw twists in his hand as he makes the wish.
• Tragedy Strikes: The next day, a representative from Herbert’s workplace, Maw and Meggins, arrives with devastating news. Herbert has been killed in a machinery accident.
• Compensation and Grief: The company offers the Whites two hundred pounds as compensation for their son’s death. The family is grief-stricken.

Part Three

• Desperate Hope: A week later, Mrs. White, overcome by grief, remembers the remaining wishes on the monkey’s paw. She compels Mr. White to wish Herbert back to life.
• Unnatural Fear: Mr. White, horrified yet compelled, makes the wish. Late that night, they hear a horrifying knocking at their door.
• The Final Wish: Mrs. White rushes to open the door, convinced that their son has returned. Mr. White, terrified by the potential consequences of the wish, frantically searches for the paw in the darkness to make a final wish.
• Ambiguous Ending: As Mrs. White struggles to unlock the door, the knocking abruptly stops. Mr. White makes his wish. In the final scene, the street is empty, leaving the fate of Herbert a terrifying mystery.

Literary Devices in “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs

Literary Device	Example	Explanation
Allusion	“Sounds like the ‘Arabian Nights’,” said Mrs. White…	Reference to the collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, emphasizing the fantastical nature of the monkey’s paw.
Ambiguity	“His voice was so serious that the group fell quiet.”	The true nature of the paw is never explicitly confirmed, leaving room for interpretation.
Dialogue	“‘If you could have another three wishes,’ said the old man, watching him carefully, ‘would you have them?'”	Conversations drive the plot and reveal character motivations.
Dramatic Irony	“‘If the tale about the monkey’s paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us,’ said Herbert, … ‘we shan’t make much out of it.'”	The reader is aware of the paw’s sinister power, while Herbert remains oblivious, creating tension.
Foreshadowing	“…a wind like a banshee’s wail” (Part One, after they hear about the paw).	Hints at the death and misfortune to come.
Imagery	“…the paw twisted in my hand like a snake.”	Vivid descriptions to create sensory experiences for the reader.
Irony	The Whites receive 200 pounds, but only after the tragic death of their son.	The outcome is opposite to what might be expected.
Metaphor	Morris describes the paw’s previous owner: “I don’t know what the first two were, but the third was for death.”	Implicitly compares a wish to a fatal bargain.
Mood	“Outside, the night was cold and wet, …the fire burned brightly.”	Contrast between the cozy domestic scene and the external darkness hints at a menacing atmosphere.
Motif	The number three: three men, three wishes per man	Repetition reinforces a sense of pattern and fate.
Narrative Hook	“[Morris] put something out of his pocket and proffered it. Mrs. White drew back with a grimace, but her son, taking it, examined it curiously.”	The mysterious paw immediately sparks the reader’s curiosity.
Ominous Diction	Words like “twisted,” “mummy,” “grimace,” etc.	Language choices contribute to the sinister tone.
Paradox	The paw grants wishes, but in doing so brings misery.	Holds two seemingly contradictory ideas that reveal a deeper truth about desires.
Pathos	“She broke off as the sinister meaning of the assurance dawned upon her and she saw the awful confirmation of her fears in the other’s averted face.”	Evokes pity and sorrow for Mrs. White’s realization.
Personification	“The paw twisted in my hand…”	Imbues an inanimate object with movement and agency, increasing its uncanniness.
Simile	“Creaking like an unbearably rusty hinge.”	Compares unlike things to establish a specific image or feeling.
Suspense	The slow reveal of the paw’s power, the wait between the wish and the visitor, the final knock on the door.	The story draws out key moments to heighten anticipation and anxiety for the reader.
Symbolism	The monkey’s paw represents the dangers of interfering with fate, and the unintended consequences of desires.
Theme	Be careful what you wish for.	The central message about the destructive potential of unchecked desire.
Tone	Shifting tone: starts casually, then becomes increasingly ominous and suspenseful.	Reflects the progression of the plot and influences the reader’s emotional response.

Characterization in “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs

Major Characters

• Mr. White:
•  Curious and easily influenced: Mr. White is intrigued by the monkey’s paw and ultimately gives in to temptation, despite warnings.
• Loving but flawed: He cares for his family, but his desire for financial security blinds him to the potential risks.
• Conflicted and regretful: He witnesses the tragic consequences of his wish and attempts to reverse the damage with his final wish.
• Mrs. White:
  • Maternal and protective: Deeply attached to her son Herbert, her actions are driven by love and a desire to protect him above all else.
  • Grief-stricken and desperate: Mrs. White is devastated by Herbert’s death, leading her to become irrational and cling to the hope the paw can offer.
  • Impulsive: Driven by her overwhelming grief, she acts rashly in urging her husband to make the second wish.
• Herbert White:
  • Humorous and skeptical: He represents the voice of reason, initially dismissing the monkey’s paw as a silly story.
  • Playful and a touch arrogant: His teasing of his parents and his light-hearted treatment of the paw highlight certain youthful naivety.
  • The tragic victim: Even though Herbert plays a minor role in the story, his tragic death is the pivotal event that brings about the central conflict and reveals the dangers of the paw.

Minor Characters

• Sergeant-Major Morris:
  • Mysterious and world-weary: His travels in India give him an air of exoticism, yet his stories and reluctance to use the paw foreshadow its sinister nature.
  • Regretful and cautionary: His own experiences with the paw likely leave him burdened with guilt, making him serve as a warning to the Whites.
• The Company Representative:
  • Detached and businesslike: He delivers the news of Herbert’s death and the compensation with impersonal professionalism.
  • Plot device: This character facilitates the fulfillment of the first wish while also highlighting the coldness of corporate bureaucracy in comparison to the Whites’ familial love.

Key Points About Jacobs’ Characterization:

• Complexity: Despite the story’s brevity, the major characters are not simply good or bad. They exhibit a mix of relatable traits and flaws, making their choices and their tragedy more impactful.
• Contrast: Herbert’s skepticism and the Sergeant-Major’s caution act as foils to highlight Mr. and Mrs. White’s reckless desire and later desperation.
• Thematic Importance: The characters’ flaws and the consequences of their choices embody the main theme of “be careful what you wish for.”

Major Themes in “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs

1. The Danger of Wishing/The Destructive Potential of Desire

• Central to the story: The monkey’s paw embodies the potential peril of interfering with fate. It seduces characters with the promise of wish fulfillment, but those wishes often bring misery.
• Mr. White’s first wish: He desires financial security, represented by the 200 pounds. The wish comes true but brings the tragic death of his son Herbert as payment.
• Mrs. White’s wish: Blinded by grief, she desires her son’s return, failing to consider the horrifying consequences of disrupting the natural order of life and death.
• Key quote: Sergeant-Major Morris states, “It had a spell put on it by an old fakir… He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow.”

2. Fate vs. Free Will

• The paw’s power: It suggests the presence of a predetermined fate that humans struggle against.
• The ambiguity of its nature: The story leaves it open to interpretation whether the paw truly alters fate or if events are merely a series of terrible coincidences.
• Characters’ choices: While wishes appear to come true, characters still make choices within those altered circumstances – such as Mr. White’s final, desperate wish to undo the situation.
• Key quote: Despite hearing stories of the paw’s interference, Mr. White declares, “Sounds like the Arabian Nights… Don’t you think you might wish for four pairs of hands for me?” demonstrating a degree of control over his choices.

3. Grief and Its Power

• Profound impact: Herbert’s death consumes the Whites, particularly his mother, with devastating grief.
• Irrational behavior: Mrs. White’s grief pushes her towards madness, compelling her to use the paw to bring Herbert back despite the risks.
• Grief as a blinding force: This theme highlights how grief distorts judgment and makes people act against their better instincts.
• Key quote: “The old woman, with a burst of sobbing joy…cried, ‘I want it…We’ve only had one [wish]!'” shows Mrs. White’s desperation.

4. The Supernatural vs. the Rational

• Ambiguous horror: The story never definitively confirms whether the paw is truly magical. The events could be horrifying coincidences or the result of supernatural intervention.
• Characters’ perspectives: Herbert is skeptical, Mrs. White embraces the uncanny, while Mr. White is initially resistant but ultimately succumbs.
• Unresolved tension: The ambiguity creates a lingering sense of unease, forcing the reader to question the nature of reality and the existence of forces beyond human control.
• Key quote: After Herbert’s death, the story describes Mr. White: “He sat staring blankly … not believing, not realizing.” It emphasizes the conflict between the rational mind and the experience of the seemingly unexplainable.

Writing Style in “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs

W.W. Jacobs uses a straightforward, concise writing style in “The Monkey’s Paw” that focuses on building suspense and tension through the use of foreshadowing, symbolism, and vivid descriptions. The author’s use of short, choppy sentences and repetition of phrases creates a sense of unease and urgency, while his descriptions of the characters and settings help to establish a realistic and relatable atmosphere. The author also uses dialogue effectively to reveal the characters’ personalities and motivations, and to move the plot forward. Overall, Jacobs’ writing style in “The Monkey’s Paw” is simple yet effective, capturing the reader’s attention and keeping them engaged until the shocking conclusion.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs

Literary Theory	Key Concepts	How it Applies to “The Monkey’s Paw”
Formalism / New Criticism	Focus on the text itself: structure, symbols, language, etc.	* Symbolism: The paw represents temptation, unintended consequences, and the limits of human control. * Structure: The three-part story (introduction, consequences, aftermath) mirrors a tragic wish cycle. * Ambiguity: The unresolved ending forces the reader to grapple with the nature of fate.
Reader-Response Criticism	Focuses on readers’ individual experiences and interpretations	* Emotional Impact: The story evokes fear, pity, and a lingering sense of unease due to its suspense and ambiguity. * Differing Views: Readers might debate whether the paw is truly magical or if events are coincidental. * Personal Connection: Readers may relate to the characters’ basic desires for security or fear of loss.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Explores unconscious desires, anxieties, and repressed motivations.	* Unacknowledged Wishes: Mr. White’s seemingly simple desire for money could mask deeper anxieties or resentment. * Mrs. White’s Grief: Her irrational actions might stem from repressed guilt or an inability to process loss. * Author’s Intent: The story could reflect Jacobs’ own anxieties about desire and control.
Feminist Criticism	Examines gender roles, female representation, and power dynamics.	* Mrs. White’s Agency: Though initially a domestic figure, her desperation drives action, subverting gender expectations of the time. * Patriarchy Challenged: The paw’s power disrupts the traditional safety of the home (a feminine space) and the predictable masculine order. * Limited Perspectives: The story is primarily told through the male characters’ viewpoints.
Marxist Criticism	Analyzes class, power imbalances, and socioeconomic systems.	* Working-Class Struggles: Mr. White’s wish for money likely stems from financial insecurity faced by his class. * Corporate Cruelty: The company representative’s coldness shows how profit is valued over individual lives. * Exploitation: The paw could be read as a symbol of how those with less power are tempted into situations with grave consequences.

Questions about “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs

1. What is the significance of the monkey’s paw in the story, and how does it drive the plot?
2. How does the theme of fate versus free will manifest in “The Monkey’s Paw”?
3. What is the role of superstition and belief in the supernatural in the story, and how do the characters’ beliefs shape their actions?
4. How does Jacobs use foreshadowing to create suspense and tension throughout the story?
5. What is the significance of the story’s setting, particularly the isolated, rural location of the Whites’ home?
6. What is the ultimate message or lesson of “The Monkey’s Paw,” and how does it relate to broader themes of morality and the consequences of one’s actions?

Thesis Statements

1. The monkey’s paw serves as a powerful symbol of the danger of greed and the consequences of meddling with fate, driving the plot and ultimately leading to the tragic ending of the story.
2. The conflict between fate and free will in “The Monkey’s Paw” highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of human desires, and serves as a warning against the dangers of trying to control one’s destiny.
3. Jacobs uses the characters’ superstitions and beliefs in the supernatural to explore the human fascination with the unknown and the unexplainable, while also highlighting the dangers of succumbing to irrational fears and desires.
4. Through his skillful use of foreshadowing, Jacobs creates a sense of dread and unease that builds throughout the story, culminating in a shocking and devastating conclusion that leaves a lasting impact on the reader.
5. The isolated, rural setting of the Whites’ home in “The Monkey’s Paw” serves as a metaphor for the characters’ psychological and emotional isolation, highlighting the profound loneliness and desperation that drives their actions.
6. “The Monkey’s Paw” serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the consequences of taking shortcuts or trying to cheat fate, reminding us of the importance of accepting responsibility for our actions and the impact they have on ourselves and others.

Short Question-Answer “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs

• How does the monkey’s paw itself serve as a symbol in the story?
• The monkey’s paw serves as a symbol of the dangers of meddling with fate and the consequences of greed. It represents the desire for power and control over one’s destiny, and the danger that comes with trying to manipulate the unknown. The paw’s ability to grant wishes is ultimately shown to be a curse, as the consequences of the wishes become increasingly dire and destructive. Through the paw, Jacobs warns against the dangers of pursuing wealth and power at any cost, reminding us that there are always consequences to our actions.
• How does Jacobs use foreshadowing in “The Monkey’s Paw”?
• Jacobs uses foreshadowing to create a sense of unease and dread throughout the story. From the opening scenes, there are hints of the paw’s dark powers and the potential dangers of using it. As the story progresses, these hints become more ominous and explicit, building towards the climactic moment when the wishes are made. Through his use of foreshadowing, Jacobs creates a sense of inevitability and foreboding that drives the plot and adds to the overall impact of the story.
• What is the significance of the setting in “The Monkey’s Paw”?
• The isolated, rural setting of the Whites’ home serves as a metaphor for their psychological and emotional isolation. The family is cut off from the rest of the world, surrounded by darkness and silence. This sense of isolation mirrors their own feelings of loneliness and desperation, and highlights the depths of their longing for something more. It also serves to heighten the tension and unease of the story, as the family becomes increasingly trapped by their own desires and the powers of the paw.
• How does Jacobs explore the theme of grief in “The Monkey’s Paw”?
• The theme of grief is central to “The Monkey’s Paw,” as the Whites’ desire to bring their son back from the dead drives much of the plot. Jacobs uses the characters’ grief to explore the depths of human longing and the dangers of trying to control or manipulate fate. He also shows the profound impact of grief on the human psyche, as the characters become increasingly consumed by their own pain and desperation. Through his portrayal of grief, Jacobs reminds us of the importance of acceptance and moving forward, even in the face of loss and tragedy.

Literary Works Similar to “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs

Gothic Tradition:

• “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe: This masterwork of psychological horror explores guilt, paranoia, and the unreliable narrator, emphasizing the internal turmoil of characters.
• Other Poe short stories like “The Fall of the House of Usher” or “The Masque of the Red Death”: Share a similar atmosphere of dread, decaying grandeur, and a focus on characters’ crumbling mental states.

The “Three Wishes” Motif:

• “The Fisherman and His Wife” (Grimm’s Fairy Tales): This cautionary folktale warns against greed and the dangers of wanting more than one rightfully possesses.
• “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp” (from The Arabian Nights): Offers a variant where wishes are granted, but fulfillment doesn’t necessarily ensure what was truly desired.

Supernatural Bargains and Tragic Hubris:

• “Faust” by Christopher Marlowe: The archetype of selling one’s soul for worldly gain parallels the dark pact implicit in using the monkey’s paw, while raising questions about free will vs. predestination.
• Greek Tragedies like Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex” or the myth of Icarus: Characters in these narratives succumb to hubris (excessive pride) often in seeking to defy fate, leading to their ultimate downfall.

Modern Horror and the Uncanny:

• “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson: A shocking, masterful short story subverting expectations to expose societal cruelty and the danger of unquestioned traditions.
• W.W. Jacobs’ other works: Explore similar uncanny elements intruding into ordinary lives, such as “The Toll-House” or “The Well”.
• Stephen King’s short fiction: King excels at twisting the familiar into the horrifying. Collections like “Night Shift” often feature similar situations or objects imbued with a sinister edge.

Suggested Readings: “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs

Scholarly Articles

• Boudreau, Kristin. “The Horror of the Ordinary in W.W. Jacobs’s ‘The Monkey’s Paw.'” Short Story Criticism, vol. 19, Gale, Cengage, 1999. Literature Resource Center.
• Cadden, Mike. “What’s So Scary About ‘The Monkey’s Paw’?” Aeon Magazine, 28 Oct. 2021, aeon.co/essays/whats-so-scary-about-the-monkeys-paw.
• Joshi, S.T. “The Monkey’s Paw and Others: W.W. Jacobs’ Supernatural Tales.” Weird Fiction Review, no. 6, 2015, pp. 76–81. Project MUSE, doi:10.1353/wfr.2015.0016.

Websites and Online Resources

• British Library: Discovering Literature – Romantics and Victorians. “W.W. Jacobs and The Monkey’s Paw” section. https://mysticbooks.org
• Short Stories from Several Nations – “The Monkey’s Paw”. Full text of the story with historical and literary notes. https://americanliterature.com/author

Books (Focusing on Jacobs or with Relevant Chapters)

• Ashley, Mike. Weird Tales: The Magazine That Never Dies. Wildside Press, 2004. (Contains discussion of Jacobs’ work within the broader weird fiction tradition).
• Joshi, S.T. *Icons of Horror and the Supernatural: An Encyclopedia of Our Worst Nightmares, Volumes 1 & 2. * Greenwood Press, 2007. (Entries on Jacobs, “The Monkey’s Paw,” and related motifs).
• Sullivan, Jack, editor. The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural. Viking Press, 1986. (Contains broader analysis of genre tropes present in the story).