Theme
This theme is shown each time the Whites try to change their lives with wishes.
What is be careful what you wish for?
This line foreshadows danger: “Better let it burn.”
What is the paw will bring something bad?
Fill in the blank
If Mr. White ______ (be) more cautious, how might the story have changed?
If Mr. White were more cautious, how might the story have changed?
The story opens with a stormy, isolated setting. What mood does this create?
What is a gloomy or uneasy mood?
This character warns the Whites not to use the paw.
Who is Sergeant-Major Morris?
This quote best supports the which theme
“The third wish was for death…”
What is wishing brings tragic consequences?
Herbert jokes about something “horrible squatting on top of the wardrobe.” What does this hint?
What is an evil force will visit the family?
Fill in the blank
If Herbert _________ (have) listened to the warnings, what might he have said to his parents?
If Herbert had listened to the warnings, what might he have said to his parents?
The line “Better let it burn” creates this kind of mood.
What is a foreboding mood?
These paragraphs (101–121) show that Mr. White understands this about the paw.
What is the paw is dangerous?
This theme is revealed when Mr. White realizes the paw is dangerous but uses it anyway.
What is not listening to warnings?
Herbert’s joking attitude foreshadows this event.
What is his death?
Fill in the blank
Mrs. White says she wishes Herbert ______ (be) alive again.
Mrs. White says she wishes Herbert were alive again.
When Herbert jokes about something “horrible” sitting on the wardrobe, the mood becomes this.
What is ominous?
Mrs. White behaves this way after Herbert’s death.
What is desperate or frantic?
This theme from traditional stories is central to The Monkey’s Paw.
What is the danger of temptation and greed?
The Sergeant-Major’s warning foreshadows this outcome for the Whites.
What is tragedy?
Fill in the blank
If Sergeant-Major Morris ______ (have) destroyed the monkey’s paw, what events would not have happened?
If Sergeant-Major Morris had destroyed the monkey’s paw, what events would not have happened?
The knocking at the door in the middle of the night creates what mood?
What is suspense or terror?
This character first suggests using another wish.
Who is Mrs. White?
This idea is shown in the line: “He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives.”
What is the danger of interfering with fate?
This detail shows that Mrs. White secretly believes in the paw.
What is she runs to the door when the mail comes?
Fill in the blank
It is important that Mr. White _______ (make) a third wish.
It is important that Mr. White make a third wish.
Mr. White’s frantic search for the monkey’s paw in the darkness creates what mood?
What is panic or desperation?
This is why Morris is introduced in the story.
What is to explain the paw’s history and warn the Whites?