Vocabulary
What does "fate" mean? (26)
The development of events beyond a person's control - destiny, "God's Will," karma, chance/luck.
"It is colder for my son" (101). Who said this and why?
Mrs. White was referring to the fact that her son was cold because he had passed away.
Who originally put a curse on the monkey's paw? (26)
An old fakir - or holy man - probably from India, since this is where Sgt. Maj. got the paw.
What does "Hark at the wind" mean? (2)
"Listen to the wind."
What game do the terms "check" and "mate" refer to? (1, 3, 5)
The game of chess. The best way to learn more about chess is to watch "The Queen's Gambit" on Netflix!
What is a "plague"? (13)
A contagious disease that spreads rapidly and kills many people.
"For God's sake, don't let it in" (139). Who said this and what are they talking about?
Mr. White, referring to his dead son as "it" instead of "him." He is scared.
What was the Whites' first wish for? (57)
For two hundred pounds - enough to "clear the house" (pay off their mortgage).
What is a "pound" in relation to the story? (55)
A British unit of currency, similar the the U.S. dollar.
[DAILY DOUBLE] Which country did Sgt. Maj. Morris spend time in? (16)
India
What is a "consequence"? (44)
A result of an action - repercussion, result, outcome.
[DAILY DOUBLE] "Sounds like the Arabian Nights" (45). What is the Arabian Nights?
Also known as "1,001 Nights," it is an old collection of Middle Eastern stories written in Arabic.
What was the consequence of the Whites' first wish? (84, 90)
Their son Herbert was killed in an accident at work, and as a result, the Whites were paid the exact amount of money they asked for from the Monkey's Paw by Herbert's employer.
What is a "doughty deed?" (13)
A brave or fearless action.
What does "sha'nt" mean? (49)
It is a contraction for "shall not."
What is a "talisman"? (46)
An object with magical powers - the monkey's paw.
"His tones were so grave that a hush fell upon the group" (34). What does this sentence mean?
"The way he spoke was so serious that everyone in the group quieted down."
What was the Whites' second wish? (112)
Mrs. White made Mr. White wish for their son Herbert to be alive again.
What does "fancy" mean the way it's used in the story? (36, 62)
It is another word for interest or curiosity.
What is an "antimacassar?" (53)
An antimacassar is a decorative piece of cloth put over the back of a chair to protect the chair from getting dirty.
What does "avaricious" mean? (71)
Having extreme greed for wealth or material gain - greedy, miserly, "money-grubbing."
"...and something horrible squatting up on top of the wardrobe watching you as you pocket your ill-gotten gains" (65). What is this sentence describing?
Herbert is telling his dad he thinks the money will appear on his bed, with some kind of ugly creature sitting on top of his dresser watching him collect money he got in a dishonest way.
What do you think Mr. White wished for their third wish? (143-144)
The book doesn't say, but he probably either wished his son dead again, or unwished the second wish.
"When he went away he was a 'slip of the youth' in the warehouse. Now look at him." (14) Who said this about who? What does it mean?
Mr. White is describing to his wife and son about the last time he saw the Sgt. Maj., 20 years ago. Back then, he was just a skinny kid working in the warehouse. Now he's all grown up.
Who was the man who informed the Whites of their son's death, and who did he work for? (79,93)
He was a representative of the company that Herbert worked for (Maw & Meggins), possibly a lawyer.