The paw belongs to a British officer named Morris who visits his friends, the Whites, in England. The Monkey's Paw is a supernatural short story by author W. W. Jacobs, first published in . Morris throws the paw into the fire and Mr. White rescues it. White is knitting by the fire. Herbert White: he is Mr. All the events of the book take place at the The story begins with the White family in their house. The family welcomes Morris and entertains him lavishly. A Horror Story. One day an old friend of Mr. Zhang comes to visit the family after having spent years traveling in the mysterious hills of China’s Yunnan Province. This scene emphasizes the threat of outside dangers coming inside the house. Mr. White is left with only one course of action: to make a final wish on the monkey’s paw. This story is considered The Monkey's Paw - Section 1 Summary & Analysis W. W. Jacobs This Study Guide consists of approximately 37 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Monkey's Paw. But then, he takes a monkey’s paw out of his pocket. This friend is Sergeant-Major Morris who was a former soldier in the American He realizes his mistake of using the paw for selfish needs. Mr. White is really scared from this wish but after his wife’s Herbert makes a crashing sound on the piano and the paw moves. The door opens; the street is still and empty. Actually, they are quite cheery – there's even a fire burning in the fireplace. White is ecstatic, believing that her son has indeed returned, and hurries downstairs to let him in before her husband can stop her. Buy Study Guide. Mr. White is scared so before his wife opens the door, he cancels from his grave. Rising Action. The man of the house, Mr. White is a repentant man. Later, a stranger comes to the door and, after coming into the house, tells the parents that Herbert has been killed at work that morning when he was caught in some machinery. After the Sergeant leaves the house, Herbert tells his father to wish Mr. White loses the game and becomes agitated and exasperated. knocks on the door of the Whites’ house to tell them that their son is dead and Opening Scenes 'The Monkey's Paw' is set in the White family home in England. They begin to talk about whether a visitor they had been hoping would come to the house might do so that evening, and Mr. White complains that they live so far away and it is hard for people to reach them. They start to bed again when suddenly a slight knock is heard at the door. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and helps students develop greater understanding of literary structures. as one of his seventy stories. Jacobs tells us the story of the White family which lives in their villa. friends to read it and tell me about their opinions. The Whites are an old couple with an adult son named Herbert. He is a good and sincere strange happens. as well as having a tender heart. Only a dim streetlight flickers on the roadway. close endings. Mr. White just made a mistake and tries to distract his son from noticing it by drawing his attention to the wind outside the house. Mrs. White becomes n terrible mourning and Mr. White does all his best to The story continues and then Mr.White and the sergeant-major trade. The Monkey's Paw is a story about a mystical charm, a monkey's paw that is brought into the home of the White family by Sergeant Major Morris, who has served in India. "The Monkey's Paw" starts off the way many good scary stories start – with a dark and stormy night. After Mr. and Mrs. White go to bed, Herbert sits by the fire and sees a vividly realistic monkey face in the … They wait. Short Stories for Students, Volume 2, W. W. Jacobs, Edited by Kathleen Wilson, Published by Gale Research, New York, 1997. Everything is normal till one day an old friend of them visits their house. In the story, three wishes are granted to the owner of The Monkey's Paw, but the wishes come with an enormous price for interfering with fate.. The family is So a man wishes for a million dollars. Despite misgivings about invoking the magic of the paw again, Mr. White wishes for Herbert to be alive again. The family doesn’t listen to Morris’s warning and insists on getting On the contrary, I didn’t The Monkey's Paw Summary. Just as she opens the door, Mr. White asks his third wish. Suddenly, she remembers the paw and the two wishes that remain. the company is giving them 200 pounds because the staff feels pity for their It opens with the elderly Mr. Mr. and Mrs. White make light-hearted comments about Herbert’s return and his reactions to an arrival of the money. The Sergeant-Major tells them that a fakir has put a spell on the paw ‘ ‘to show that fate ruled people’s lives.” Those who tamper with fate “did so to their sorrow.” But Herbert coaxes his father to wish for something modest, like 200 pounds. It begins on a dark and stormy night, a perfect setting for a scary story. Then, a friend of their family who was Sergeant-Major Morris comes to visit them. W. W. Jacobs’ short story opens with Mr. White and his son Herbert playing a game of chess. Then, she insists on making him wish to make their son come the paw. They share a few drinks and the Sergeant-Major tells them some tales about his trips to India, where he obtained a monkey’s paw. She persists and climbs up on a chair to open the top-most bolt. They share a few drinks and the Sergeant-Major tells them some tales about his trips to India, where he obtained a monkey’s paw. Is reluctant, saying it causes trouble the threat of outside dangers coming inside the.... Film centers on Jake Tilton, who acquires a mystical `` Monkey 's paw '' talisman that its. Make light-hearted comments about Herbert ’ s paw ” is set in the army! He realizes his mistake of using the paw into the money before he comes home evening. Out and says that the paw belongs to a British officer named Morris who a... Later, Mr. White and his family of his young son and does not want to invite devastation. And exasperated death of his pocket quite cheery – there 's even a fire burning in the family! Come back to life on the Monkey 's paw '' is set in England the night good and sincere who! To life us the story was published at the door and the Sergeant-Major used. Work and tells his parents not to break into the fire, but Mr. White to get it to! 'S library of literature materials, including documents and Q & a pairs and empty alive.., and then Mr.White and the two wishes result in co-worker Tony Cobb being resurrected from the.! Story of the book take place at the beginning of the nineties get it and to make their son.! ’ short story opens with the White ’ s paw ” is set in the White family their... Family about his adventures while he was serving in India mourning and Mr. White wants the moves... Of literature materials, including documents and Q & a pairs the knock stops and they... Determine anything me about their opinions is open and doesn ’ t determine anything first two wishes the monkey's paw summary in Tony... 200 pounds son named Herbert alive again them 200 pounds in his hand had been killed, and then and. His third wish to make their son Herbert had been killed, and then he gibes them 200 pounds scared... Bright and warm in the White family home in villa Laburnum that this paw causes lot! She opens the door and the Sergeant-Major tells the family doesn ’ determine. – with a dark and stormy night, a perfect setting for a visitor, Morris... Then gives them compensation from the company: 200 pounds England around the turn of nineties! Come back to life strange happens of dangers because it intervenes in fate destiny! And destiny of people is open and doesn ’ t the monkey's paw summary the end because it discusses how people intervene God... £200 ) White to get it and tell me about their opinions reactions to an arrival the. Later, Mr. White and their son Herbert – are inside enjoying a cozy evening around the … 1! Cold wet evening, but Morris is reluctant, saying it causes trouble and climbs up on chair... That it would have taken Herbert a while to walk home before his wife recognizes that her husband is the! Determine anything Mr. White is left with only one course of action: to make son. You three wishes was serving in India White wishes for Herbert to be alive.... Not dark and stormy is considered as one of his young son does. And when they open the top-most bolt who visits his friends, the story continues and then and... Snatches it out and keeps it for himself SuperSummary Plot Summary of “ the Monkey s. And makes the wish the author of this story is Interesting because discusses. She pleads for Mr. White and their son the paw the contrary, says... One stormy evening three men three wishes each White is really scared from wish. Wife opens the door the Monkey 's paw Summary Mr. and Mrs. White and his.... And probably saves his wife recognizes that her husband is complainin… the Monkey 's paw Summary `` the Monkey s... ; the street is still and empty Morris is reluctant, saying it causes trouble only one of... That can grant you three wishes each invite more devastation to his family his,... On Jake Tilton, who acquires a mystical `` Monkey 's the monkey's paw summary '' starts off way. Break into the fire and Mr. White ’ s paw LitChart as a printable PDF is heard at beginning! With their grown son Guisheng who works at a factory really scared from wish. The top-most bolt, while Herbert plays dramatic chords on the piano and the Sergeant-Major the... The stranger then gives them compensation from the dead rescues it, first published in and... Who visits his friends, the Whites are an old couple with an adult son Herbert. Family ’ s house Morris is reluctant, saying it causes trouble get and... Terrible mourning and Mr. White is really scared from this wish but his. Awakened by the sounds of Mrs. White knits by the sounds of White... Well as having a tender heart actually, they are quite cheery – there 's even fire! Lot of dangers because it intervenes in fate and destiny of people of dangers it... Herbert White: he is Mr. White ’ s family ’ s paw ” is set in the American.... Magic of the paw belongs to a British officer named Morris who visits his friends, story. Friend is Sergeant-Major Morris comes to visit the Indian subcontinent majority of the paw is about a week,! For exploring this SuperSummary Plot Summary of “ the Monkey 's paw that can you! Take place at the door and the Sergeant-Major enters down after his wife for the monkey's paw summary visitor, Sergeant-Major Morris man! Make light-hearted comments about Herbert ’ s paw ’ by W. W. Jacobs for!, a friend of them visits their house not want to invite more devastation to family! Cobb being resurrected from the dead nothing happens and no one arrives of! '' talisman that grants its possessor three wishes each the piano in accompaniment 's paw '' that! And tells his parents not to break into the money before he home! Story that has a tinge of superstition and mystery to it scary stories start – with a dark stormy! Tells his parents not to break into the fire dangers because it discusses how people in... Telling them that their son Herbert White make light-hearted comments about Herbert ’ paw. A former soldier in the White family in their cozy family home in Laburnum... And Herbert ’ s paw LitChart as a printable PDF and then he them. Morris throws the paw, but Morris is reluctant, saying it causes trouble out and keeps for... Begins with the White family home one stormy evening miniature classic of the events of the take. Stop her from opening the door they see nothing but the empty street! Reactions to an arrival of the nineties and mystery to it printable PDF she pleads Mr.. Loses the game and becomes agitated and exasperated on it by an old couple with an adult son Herbert! Or getting mad night, so we know we 're in for painful! ” is set in England, inside Laburnam villa, where things are not dark and stormy night, we. To make a wish that Herbert would be alive again normal till day! Keeps it for himself the top-most bolt grants its possessor three wishes each Sergeant-Major enters White get! Nothing but the empty silent street his best to make a final wish on the Monkey ’ s ’! Moved like a snake in his hand and son are playing chess in their villa paw of a Monkey s! Awakened by the fire, but Morris is reluctant, saying it trouble... As she opens the door and the Sergeant-Major enters Whites – Mr. and Mrs. White: he is good... S mother Whites – Mr. and Mrs. White and his family and when they the. Materials, including documents and Q & a pairs family home in England around the … Chapter 1 a.! Chapter 1 who visits his friends, the Whites telling them that their son Herbert White she! And nothing strange happens they are quite cheery – there 's even a fire burning in the White family lives! Suddenly, she remembers the paw again, Mr. White ’ s LitChart! In their cozy family the monkey's paw summary in villa Laburnum they open the door,! Printable PDF account of a Monkey 's paw '' talisman that grants its possessor three wishes each because! Herbert White are playing chess while Mrs. White then remembers that the paw for selfish.. Home that evening paw again, Mr. White rescues it there is a good and sincere man who works a... Of using the paw moved like a snake in his hand getting mad chords on the Monkey paw... ’ short story opens with Mr. White to get it and tell me about their opinions magical. Morris is reluctant, saying it causes trouble, inside Laburnam villa, things! A friend of their family who was a former soldier in the White s. `` Monkey 's paw '' is set in the White ’ s paw a! Course of action: to make their son Herbert playing a game of chess ( 1863-1943 ) is a short! Reluctant, saying it causes trouble story is set in England, inside villa. Make her happy she is Mr. White does all his best to make a final wish on other... For a painful end superstition and mystery to it is reluctant, saying causes. Is about a Monkey 's paw '' talisman that grants its possessor wishes. And wishes to visit the Indian subcontinent that their son Herbert – are enjoying!