The Monkey's Paw Foreshadowing

"The Monkey's Paw" is a short story by W.W. Jacobs tells the story of a family who comes into possession of a cursed monkey's paw that grants wishes, but with deadly consequences. The story's tone is somewhat ominous, evoking a sense of dread as the characters unfold the dark forces unleashed by the paw. Through his use of great imagery and foreshadowing Jacobs creates a really suspenseful atmosphere that grips readers from beginning to the end of the story.

The tone in the "The Monkey's Paw" is established from the beginning of the story. Jacobs uses vivid and evocative language to describe the setting and characters, creating a sense of unease. Like in the opening paragraph, Jacobs describes the night as "cold and wet" and the house as "empty and silent," setting the stage for the eerie events to come. "Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlor of Lakes Nam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly. Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old

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). This passage illustrates how Jacobs uses symbolism and foreshadowing to create a sense of dread and impending doom throughout the