ipl-logo

Examples Of Juxtaposition In The Monkey's Paw

512 Words3 Pages

The short story "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs explores the dangerous consequences of unchecked desires through the effective use of literary techniques such as juxtaposition, foreshadowing, and symbolism. Jacobs skillfully weaves these techniques throughout the narrative to convey the message that unbridled desires can ultimately lead to destruction. Through the examination of key quotes in the story, we can unravel how the author employs these literary devices to support his theme. Juxtaposition In "The Monkey's Paw," Jacobs utilizes juxtaposition to highlight the stark contrast between the characters' desires and the consequences that follow. For instance, in the early parts of the story, Mr. White and his son Herbert are fascinated by the magical and mysterious nature of the monkey's paw. The quote, "His dry lips shaped the words, 'How much?'", reveals their eagerness to explore the power the monkey's paw holds. However, this desire is juxtaposed with the following quote, "He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it” The author strategically places these quotes side by side to emphasize the contrast between the initial excitement and the eventual dark outcomes, indicating that unchecked desires often lead to regret and destruction. …show more content…

One example can be seen in the quote, "A son...alive...but mangled." This quote foreshadows the tragic news that Mr. and Mrs. White will receive later in the story. The impending doom is further illustrated with the quote, "The knocking ceased suddenly, although the echoes of it were still in the house". These subtle hints prepare the readers for the disastrous consequences that will occur due to their desires, strengthening the theme that unchecked desires can have destructive

Show More
Related

  • How Does W. Jacobs Create Suspense In The Monkey's Paw

    628 Words  | 3 Pages

    This shows a contrast of the setting in the story. The upcoming quote can make a part of the story eerie. “The candle-end, which had burned below the rim of the China candle stick was, throwing pulsating shadows on the ceiling and walls, until, with a flicker larger, than the rest, it expired.” This is showing how a quote can make an eerie and scary in the story. This evidence concludes that W.W. Jacobs does a good job at creating a suspenseful and eerie story in “The Monkeys Paw.”

    Read More

  • Foreshadowing In W. Jacobs The Monkey's Paw

    315 Words  | 2 Pages

    Not listening to the Sergeant’s warning, he comes into possession of the paw. This example shows foreshadowing because it is creating suspense when the sergeant is warning them of the monkey's paw. Another example of foreshadowing in this story is when Ms. White says, “Herbert will have

    Read More

  • Mistake In The Monkey's Paw, By W. Jacobs

    664 Words  | 3 Pages

    White caused his son’s death, many people who have read “The Monkey’s Paw” may believe that Sgt. Major Morris was to blame for the family’s misfortune; this however, is completely untrue. An argument to support this claim may be that since the Sgt. Major was the one to bestow the cursed paw upon the family and even instructed Mr. White on how to activate it, he was the root cause of the trouble. Quite contrary to this belief however, the Sgt.

    Read More

  • Monkey Paw Foreshadowing

    447 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the beginning of the story "The Monkey's Paw" readers are introduced to the monkey paw with two different viewpoints one from Sergeant-Major Morris ,someone who knows what it can do. Then there is another one from Mr.White someone, who does not know anything about it yet. These different points of view are used to create suspense. With 2 completely different viewpoints we can predict and use the experienced viewpoint, Sergeant-Major Morris to enhance our prediction which gives us a sense of foreshadowing. Sergeant-Major Morris talks about the monkey's paw, then throws it into the fire while Mr.White rushes to get it out.

    Read More

  • Essay Comparing The Monkey's Paw And The Lottery

    1480 Words  | 6 Pages

    In “The Monkey’s Paw”, the same theme is shown through the description of the reaction of the White family following their realization that their greed ended up killing their son. “There was no reply; the old woman’s face was white, her eyes staring, and her breath inaudible; on the husband’s face was a look such as his friend the sergeant might have carried into his first action. ”(Jacobs, 91) the text read. We can conclude from this, that the White family feels great regret once they come to understand that the monkey’s paw only grants compensation for what it takes away. They clearly wish they hadn’t been greedy and tempted fate and had instead been satisfied with what they had.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Foreshadow

    451 Words  | 2 Pages

    “The Monkey’s Paw”, written by W. W. Jacobs, is a story about an actual monkey’s paw that is used by the characters to make wishes granted, but it begins to create tension in the story. The wishes becomes dangerous and people begin to die do to the bad luck of the monkey’s paw. The author uses foreshadowing to create tension and suspense among the characters. The author uses foreshadow several times to create tension among the characters and in the story. For example during the chess game initially the weather is foreboding as Mr. White calls attention to the wind of the storm outside.

    Read More

  • The Monkey's Paw Foreshadowing

    401 Words  | 2 Pages

    In addition to vivid language, Jacobs also employs foreshadowing and symbolism to heighten the suspense and tension. For example, when the family first receives the monkey's paw, Jacobs describes it as "mummified," foreshadowing the curse that it carries. "His tones were so grave that a hush fell upon the group, and a feeling of terror crept over them as if they were haunted by a sense of unseen menace. It was not until his visitors rose to depart that he... [took] the monkey's paw, and... threw it upon the fire. White, with a slight cry, stooped down and snatched it off" (Jacobs 4).

    Read More

  • Comparing The Monkey's Paw And The Third Wish

    298 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this essay, i will be telling you about the two stories that we read. First, i will be telling you about “The Monkey’s Paw.” , it’s a story Sergeant Major Moris brings The White family a magic monkey paw that grants any three wishes that you want. The next story is “The Third Wish.” which is about a man that frees a swan that is in trouble that turns out to be the king of the forest.

    Read More

  • Essay Outline For The Monkey's Paw

    726 Words  | 3 Pages

    Thesis: In The Monkey's Paw by W.W Jacobs, the realistic essence of the monkey's paw made it fundamentally creepy. Point 1: The monkey's paw is a symbol for inclination for greed, exposing our superior wants as people, even the most humble. Point 2: Consequences for the actions of those using the paw develops the image of regret and fear. Point 3:

    Read More

  • The Monkey's Paw Comparison

    753 Words  | 4 Pages

    The film clip states, "but I only could only recognize him from his clothes." (1:39-1:42) This quote wasn't mentioned in the text, but has deep significance with how Mr. White actually feels about bringing Herbert back to life. Both versions of "The Monkey's Paw" emphasize suspense but one can infer that the film adaptation of "The Monkey's Paw" by Ricky Lewis Jr is more thrilling, frightening, and tragic due to a visual representation of the story with suspense devices, such as lighting, camera angles, filters, and music.

    Read More

  • The Monkey's Paw Foreshadowing

    1284 Words  | 6 Pages

    People do not think about the consequences of their actions and only acknowledge the immediate reward or happiness they will receive. Mr. White asked Sergeant Morris about the Monkey's paw he had, ¨telling me the other day about a monkey's paw¨(Jacob 2). In Chinese culture monkeys symbolize fortune and luck which are more magical, further symbolizing the wishes. In other Asian cultures, a monkey symbolizes more positive ideas like joy and happiness. The White family was happy because they believed their wishes might come true.

    Read More

  • Foreshadowing In The Monkey's Paw

    776 Words  | 4 Pages

    With Morris’s face whitening, it tacitly tells the audience that something terrifying happened when Morris made his wishes. This foreshadows that something dreadful will happen once the Whites make their wishes. Question 2: Compare Mr. White’s feelings about the monkey’s paw when he makes the first wish, second wish, and third wish. How does his attitude change?

    Read More

  • Essay Comparing The Monkey's Paw And The Story Of An Hour

    546 Words  | 3 Pages

    In The Monkeys Paw, Mrs. White used the magical object (monkey’s paw). One out of the three wishes granted using the monkeys paw was to have her son back. The outcome of this was pounding at the door, not knowing exactly who was behind the door. The Monkeys Paw is all about granting wishes and not expecting its outcome. This is comparable to The Story of an Hour because Mrs. Mallard wished to have her husband back in her life, but she didn’t expect the outcome of actually seeing her husband alive.

    Read More

  • The Monkey's Paw Theme Essay

    582 Words  | 3 Pages

    At the beginning of the story, Mr. White approaches the game of chess with carelessness by putting his king into the open revealing that Mr. White does things carelessly and doesn’t think them out. “putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils” When he learnt about the monkey paw he acts without thinking of the consequences. He immediately thinks greedily even though he has everything he wants. If Mr. White never acted the way then they would have never messed with fate and learned this lesson which creates the theme of don’t mess with fate. Setting contributes to theme also.

    Read More

  • Monkey's Paw: Themes In The Monkey's Paw

    825 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the short story, The Monkey 's Paw we are first introduced to the White, the Mrs.White, Mr.White, and their son, Herbert White. Later in the story, we are introduced to Sergeant Major Morris who brought the mummy-like monkey’s paw to the Whites house. The theme of the Monkey 's paw is to never interfere with fate. The theme is shown through many forms in the short story. The forms are the events, the foreshadowing, and the actions.

    Read More

More about Examples Of Juxtaposition In The Monkey's Paw

Open Document