Monkey’s Paw Symbol in The Monkey's Paw by W. Jacobs

Have you ever wanted to make three wishes and have them come true? The little mummified monkeys’ paw does just that. The main themes in “The monkey’s paw” written by W.W. Jacobs are the importance of not messing with your fate and the tension between the known and unknown. The characters in the story were eager to hear more about the magic behind the mummified paw. The Monkey’s paw was originally in the hands of Sergeant Major Morris and soon it was in the Whites family’s possession. In the short story the monkey’s paw, the White family selfishly ignores the wisdom and experience of others in hopes that they can change their own fate with the monkey’s paw. 

The language used throughout the short story created mystery, suspense, and foreshadowing of events. Mrs. White, Mr. White, and their son Herbert White were intrigued with the idea of the monkey’s paw. Sergeant Major Morris told the eerie stories of how he acquired the paw as well as the spell put upon it by an old Fakir. A Fakir is a holy man who is actually a part of the Hindu and Muslim religions. The spell that was placed upon the monkey's paw was to show that fate ruled people's lives and those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow. With no regard to the potential consequences, Mr. White said, “If you’ve had your three wishes, it’s no good to you now then, Morris” (Jacobs, pg. 4) Insisting he give the Monkeys paw to him, but before he even got the chance Sergeant Major Morris threw it in the fire. The suspense of what is going to happen next is looming in the air because the Sergeant Major had good reason to toss the monkey's paw into the fire, after all the Sergeant Major witnessed firsthand what the monkey's paw drives people to do. He says that the person before him wished for death as his third and final wish. Perhaps the Sergeant Major was just looking out for the family. Mr. White played a huge part in the plot's progression because he retrieved it from the fire. Sergeant Major Morris was a huge advocate in telling the white family how to safely use their new item. At this stage of the story elements of the theme are already shining through, for example when Mr. White grabbed the Monkeys paw from the fire he was messing with his fate and the unknown is soon to come. 

Sergeant Major Morris departed from the house after dinner with the family. Once he left, they returned back to their normal activities. After small talk between the family, Mr. White revealed that “I don’t know what to wish for, and that’s a fact.” (Jacobs, pg. 5) Mr. White also went on to say that “It seems to me I’ve got all I want” (Jacobs, pg. 5) in order to be happy. It was the family who persuaded him to attempt his first wish. Herbert White pleaded that “The idea of our listing to such nonsense! How could wishes be granted in these days? And if they could, could two hundred pounds hurt you father” (Jacobs, 7) Even when the family was warned to not make any senseless wishes Mr. White proceeded to grab the Monkeys paw and wish for two hundred pounds. Later that same day a mysterious man was outside of the White’s family house and soon was invited into house. He then explained that Herbert White got into an accident at work and was caught in the machinery. As well as the company he worked for wished to present the family with a sum as compensation. “Two hundred pounds” was the answer both Mr. and Mrs. White drop to a heap on the floor devastated. That was the moment they reaped their first consequences of the monkey’s paw. The themes of consequences and the unknown are displayed throughout the story while being narrated in the third person. The language used in “The Monkey’s Paw” was a combination of dialogue mixed with the third person narration of the story. 

A week had passed since Herbert Whites' death and the couple was still in shock, Mrs. White only said a few words to his wife that entire week due to the devastating event. Mrs. White is not able to sleep throughout the night. Mrs. White cried out hysterically that night” I only just thought of it” (Jacobs,11) and this is when she produces the idea to use the monkey’s paw to wish for Herbert their son to be brought back to life. At this moment Mr. White is contemplating what Sergeant Major Morris said earlier in the week “If you must wish, wish for something sensible” (Jacobs,5) In fear of his wife he went down to the parlor and retrieved the mummified monkey’s paw. When arriving back to the room he was pale and nervous about what he was about to do. However, Mr. White raised his hand and said, “I wish my son alive again” (Jacobs,12) 

Regret, terror, and fear overwhelmed Mr. White as the knocks on the door continued. This is a climax point in the short story because as the chaos is going on at the front door Mr. White is frantically looking for the monkey’s paw. He wants to undo the second wish he made and stop the madness. Once he did the “The knocking ceased suddenly” (Jacobs,14) Both of the first and second wishes unveiled dark consequences whereas the very last wish did not have consequences which led me to believe that if the wish was reasonable nothing negative happened in return. The Monkey's paw personally affects the characters in the story and explains how they cope with the realization that the wishes do not become true without a consequence. That is why Mr. White made his third wish was because at that moment he realized that messing with your fate will only bring sorrow.

Lastly, it was striking that in the end, nothing, and she did not get to see the person knocking at the door. Even though it took an entire day for the previous wish to come true. It was not immediate like the last wish Mr. White made. This leads us back to one of the main themes the unknown. In the last sense of the story, they keep it open to your imagination who was on the other side of the door if anyone. In the Story, the narrator states, “the knocking ceased suddenly” and when Mrs. White appeared outside all she saw were “The streetlamp flickering opposite shone on a quiet and deserted road” (Jacobs,14)