_The_Monkey's_Paw___Fate_or_Force_

"The Monkey's Paw": Fate or Force' Summary: W.W. Jacobs' short story "The Monkey's Paw" addresses the consequences of interfering with fate, which most people are not prepared to handle. Significant questions covered in this analysis involve the nature of the external force, how the characters handle that force, and what their handling of that force says about the characters. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fate or Force" From the works of W.W. Jacobs: The Monkey's Paw "The Monkey's Paw", a short story by W.W. Jacobs, is a twisted macabre tale dealing with the consequences of interfering with fate. The saying "be careful what you wish for, you may receive it" is the premise of the story. The nature of the external force is the monkey's paw ability to arouse curiosity and evoke temptation. The White's used humor mixed with frivolousness to deal with the fixation of the monkey's paw. This attitude towards the powers of the paw portrayed the Whites as a family who enjoyed joking with one another and did not take anything out of the ordinary too serious. It also shows that they lacked an understanding of the ramifications of their actions. The author used symbolism in the story to advise the reader of ill fate. The chess game between father and son is nothing more than a metaphor for things to come. In chess, pawns are sacrificed in order to mate the king. The White has unknowingly sacrificed their son for a mere 200 pounds. We initially meet the White family enjoying a relaxing evening at home. Father and son are engaged in an obliviously perilous game of chess, while Mother looked on nonchalant as she sat knitting in her rocking chair. Later on that wintry night, a long time friend, SGM Morris, who has traveled to exotic lands such as India, visits the family. Over many drinks, SGM Morris and Mr. White exchanged stories of their lives since they last spoke. As the SGM became inebriated, he introduced the family to the Monkey's Paw and disclosed the misfortune of the previous owners. The incredulous tale of the monkey's paw curse intrigued the Whites undoubtedly. Even though the SGM warned of the consequences of getting ones wishes granted, the Whites continued to question the SGM about the powers. The old soldier no longer wanted possession of the evil paw and threw it on the fire. Mr. White suggested his friend give him the paw instead of burning it. Herbert, the son, joked that the SGM intentionally wanted to burn the magical trinket because they were going to be rich and famous (4). This lighthearted approach to the curse of the monkey's paw, eventually led to the death of their only son. Once Mr. White gained control of the paw, he wished for a mere 200 pounds ($25,000 US dollars). This was a humble family, living on humble means. Mr. White acknowledged he did not need anything to make his life complete when he stated, "I don't know what to wish for, and that's a fact. It seems to me I've got all I want" (4). However, his curiosity of the paw's powers compelled him to make a wish, disregarding the repeated warnings of his comrade. In the event their wish was granted, the Whites jokingly fantasized about their rewards. This is similar to someone who plays lottery numbers and they fantasize of their earnings if they won. The odds of someone actually winning could be an outlandish number such as one in a million. Therefore, the thought of actually getting their wish granted was a farfetched idea. You can tell by the playful banter exchanged between father and son as well as husband and wife, that the Whites were a family who loved to joke around. Herbert is the main antagonist of the family. He is the one who instigates most of the banter. After Mr. White made the wish for 200 pounds, Herbert teasingly said, "Might drop on his head from the sky" (referring to the money his father wished for) (5). Thus insinuating it was a ridiculous thought that a dried up monkey's paw can grant wishes. In the beginning, we witnessed father and son playing a game of chess. Mr. White was the one to "have seen a fatal mistake after it was too late" (1). Without the reader initially realizing it, the author subtly revealed a foreshadowing of danger. Just like in the chess game, Mr. White approached the opportunity with the monkey's paw carelessly. The monkey's paw external force initially had no effect on the elder White. However, when his son coaxed him to make a wish for 200 pounds he obliged just to please him and his wife. Entertaining his son's suggestion outweighed his better judgment. This showed us that others easily influenced Mr. White. When the White's realized their son had to die in order to receive the 200 pounds they wished for, they should have understood that the paw was a curse and not a blessing. After the burial of their son, the father again succumbed to pressure from his wife and made a wish for their dead son to come back. When the family heard the knock at the door, Mrs. White referred to the knock as "her boy", while Mr. White referred to the knock as "it" (10). He knew that his wish would not be granted without a consequence. This is when he finally displayed courage and stood his ground. He undid the wish he previously made and the knocking ceased (10). He knew his dear wife may have wanted her son back but because of the preceding outcome, he could not be certain his son would come as his "boy." This showed that although Mr. White sometimes makes fatal decisions without properly foreseeing the consequences, he undoubtedly wanted to protect his family. Only after the sudden death of their son, the White's discovered the severity of their reckless actions. Mrs. White wanted her son back in spite of of the state he would have been returned. When the SGM initially told them of the tale and forewarned them of the horrific outcome, they did not take him seriously. The peculiar tale of the magical paw was unbelievable. The curse of the monkey's paw was put on by the fakir, "to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow" (2). Because of the intriguing story of the monkey's paw, the White's were led down a perverse path of deception and consequence. They did not fathom their son's life was the penalty for receiving their wish. Their curiosity far outweighed the dreadful result. They were a simple quiet family who did not experience much excitement other than sitting at home next to a kindling fire playing games and/or knitting. As they listened to the exotic tales of the SGM's travels, it excited them. They wanted to experience a glimpse of what their life could have been. Only Mr. White showed he was content with his humble home and family. Had Mr. White gone with his initial intuition, his son's death could have been prevented. The blessing his wife and son thought they were going to receive turned out to be a curse. Interfering with fate can only come with consequences that most people are not prepared to handle.