Short story- The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs

The Monkey’s Paw- W. W. Jacobs

Introduction:

William Wymark Jacobs (1863-1943) is an English author of famous humorous short stories. The monkey’s paw is a supernatural short story by him. It was first published in England in the collection ‘The Lady of the Barge’ in 1902. The monkey’s paw is a powerful horror story; it was adapted for the stage by L. N. Parker with whom he wrote the plays. The one-act-play of the monkey’s paw is presented in three scenes. Every scene comes with a new climax piled with others.  The play appeals to a human fascination for mystery and horror.

 

Theme:

The theme of the play is very clearly stated in the play in words of Major Sergeant Morris- “Fate ruled the people’s lives and those who interfere with fate do so their sorrow.”

Characters:

John White/ Mr. White

Jenny White/ Mrs. White

Herbert White

Mr. Sampson

Sergeant Morris

Scene-1   

It was a dark story night as the three members of the white family were relaxing in the cozy house. Mr. White and Herbert were playing chess and Mrs. White knits near the fire. A family friend sergeant Major Morris arrives for a visit. Over whiskey, he tells of his exploits abroad. Major Morris returned home after serving the British army in India. They were discussing the magic fascinating the people of India and Major Morris was favoring the fakirs of India. He explained that the fakir cast a spell after 15 years of continuous meditation on a monkey’s paw, the monkey’s paw can fulfill the three wishes of three people. Sergeant explains about the paw; Sergeant was the second to get this paw; he himself has already had his three wishes, and the person before Sergeant had a last wish of his own death. The sergeant tries to sell it as if it was causing more trouble but no one buys the paw without seeing proof of its effect. He throws the paw into the fire in order to destroy it but Mr. White rescued it. Even after the Sergeant warning he desires it. He learned to make a wish from Sergeant. Mrs. White referred to ‘Arabian nights’ there. The family jokingly suggests their wish; Mrs. White asks for extra pair of hands while Herbert says Mr. White should make an emperor so that they don’t have to listen to Mrs. White’s nagging. The sergeant takes a leave from the family with a warning. Mr. White said he had everything he wanted and didn’t know what to wish for. Herbert asked to wish for 200 pounds which are to be paid for the house’s EMI. Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds; he suddenly cried out and said that the paw moved but no one believed. There was no change, they didn’t get 200 pounds, and they felt it is fake. Herbert was working in the industry, and had night swift it was half-past-eleven (11:15), Herbert left for the job and Mr. and Mrs. White slept.

·        The climax of the scene- 1 is the introduction of the monkey’s paw by sergeant Major Morris.

Scene- 2

The next morning Mr. and Mrs. White talks about the night Mr. White felt very restless that night. It was a sunny day; Mrs. White settled a breakfast near a window. It was 8:45 but Herbert didn’t return yet they started their breakfast. They were chatting about wishes, paw, and sergeant. There came a post in a post box. Mrs. White with hope said to Mr. White that its banknotes it can be the 200 pounds we wished for but it was a receipt for the interest of 200 pounds which was duly received. Later Mrs. White notices a stranger outside dressed in nice clothes. Stranger hesitantly approaches the door, he nervously states that he is representative of ‘maw and meggins’. Herbert’s employer, Mrs. White asks whether Herbert is all right, and the representative (Mr. Sampson) says he is hurt but not in pain. It strikes Mrs. White that it means he is dead. Representative nervously and with stress explains that last night Herbert was caught in the machinery/ caught in the flywheel. And the company doesn’t take any responsibility for it but will give 200 pounds as compensation.

·        The climax in this scene is Herbert being late and Mr. and Mrs. White’s anxious feelings. Along with, Mr. Sampson’s entry with horrifying news and completion of their wish at cost of Herbert.

Scene- 3

Even after ten days of Herbert's burial. The couple felt exhausted and hopeless. A week after being buried Mr. White hears his wife crying by the window, he gently urges her to come back to bed, and she refuses. Mrs. White suddenly cries that she needs a monkey’s paw. She realizes that paw can still fulfill their two wishes. She insists Mr. White wish Herbert back to life, she orders him to make a wish and he finally does so. They hear the voice knock Mr. White thinks it is a rat but Mrs. White runs downstairs with the expectation of Herbert at door but the bolt of the door was stiff; she called Mr. White to help her. Mr. White begs not to open the door. He was horrified. Mr. White frantically searches for the paw, which was dropped on the floor, Mrs. White pulls back the bolt and Mr. White finds the paw and makes a final wish- “I wish him dead. I wish him to die a peace.” The knocking stops abruptly. Mrs. White opens the door and the street is empty.

·        The climax in this scene comes when Mrs. White realizes that more two wishes are yet to be fulfilled by the monkey’s paw.

Moral:

The person can never own anything more than what is in his fate. And if he tries to do so he will definitely lead to some sorrow in his life or have to abandon.

Symbols in the play:

Monkey’s paw- The monkey’s paw is a symbol of desire and greed.

Chess- it symbolizes the life of those who play daring and risky games of chess will lose, just as those who take unnecessary risks in life will die.