Question

What is “the monkey’s paw”? What is Herbert White’s attitude toward the monkey’s paw? Cite textual evidence from the selection to support your answer.

Answer 1

1.) The monkey’s paw is an actual monkey’s paw but on this one, a holy person, known as a fakir, put a spell on it so that 3 people can have 3 wishes and see that fate cannot be changed. In paragraph 26 it states, “He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow.” Herbert White thinks the monkey’s paw as a joke. In paragraph 52 Herbert reacts with “pretended horror” and says "Likely. Why, we're going to be rich, and famous and happy. Wish to be an emperor, father, to begin with; then you can't be henpecked." He is saying this to lighten up the mood. In another paragraph Herbert thinks that the monkey’s paw might be of use. In fact, when Mr. White says that he needs nothing, Herbert encourages his father to wish for 200 pounds. In the text it states, “Well, wish for 2 hundred pounds.”  Then he sits down at the piano to strike "a few impressive chords." In conclusion, Herbert’s dialogue expressed his feelings which shows readers what he thinks about the monkey’s paw.