Jacobs uses the monkey’s paw as a symbol of greed and unwise desire. Even though the Whites have everything they need, they can’t resist the lure of the mysterious paw. Mr. White saves the paw from burning, even though believes he has nothing to wish for. Mrs. White’s belief in the paw grows stronger after Herbert’s death. She forces her husband to try to bring Herbert back to life. Although Herbert’s death may be just an accident, the couple starts attaching their fate to the monkey’s paw. Horrified that he had actually brought Herbert back to life, Mr. White uses the paw to wish his dead son away. The couple becomes dependent on the paw and holds it responsible for their change in fate.
