Mejias 1

Wanda Mejias

Mr. Barros

ENC 1102

February 21, 2019

The Monkey’s Paw: Foreshadowing

In this story by W.W. Jacobs, foreshadowing is a key element in the development of the

tale. In “The Monkey’s Paw” numerous hints are given that things may not work out for the

White family. This use of foreshadowing creates a feeling of suspense for the reader, developing

and evolving in a deeper sense of horror through the whole story and resulting in a bigger

surprise and shock when the reader gets to the end.

An instance of foreshadowing in “The Monkey’s Paw” is presented when Mr. White

makes a fatal mistake while playing chess, but he realizes later on. In this scenario the writer is

hinting at the fact that Mr. White can be susceptible to making mistakes. Later on in the story

this is emphasized again, when Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds, not knowing that he would get

them, but as a compensation for his son’s death. This goes back to the hint of how Mr. White is

not a great decision maker.

“I wish for two hundred pounds,' said the old man distinctly... 'As I wished, it twisted in

my hands like a snake.' 'Well, I don't see the money,' said his son as he picked it up and placed it

on the table, 'and I bet I never shall. " (91) This quote is another instance of foreshadowing. As

seen later in the story, Herbert dies, and as a result of his death, his family get the two hundred

pounds. This quote is used to hint at what will happen later in the future, and it can take the

reader to really think what Herbert really means when he says, “and I bet I never shall”. So, as

hinted in the quote above, he never really sees the money.

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Sergeant Major Morris clearly indicates throughout the whole story that he is afraid of the

monkey’s paw. But an instance that stood up for me was how he explicitly tells the White family

that the previous owner had his first two wishes granted, but that in his third wish he wished for

death. In this occasion, Sergeant Morris is hinting at the danger that is connected to the monkey’s

paw. After Herbert is killed at work and the Whites receive their compensation, they feel really

lonely and empty. This results in their second wish being to bring their son back, but it does not

happen the way they want it to. Seeing as things were going wrong and their son could not be

brought back, Mr. White retrieves the paw and makes the third wish, and it is also for death.

Creating like this the result of the hint in the mentioned before.
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Works Cited

Jacobs, W W, and Gary Hoppenstand. The Monkey's Paw and Other Tales of Mystery and the
Macabre. Chicago: Academy Chicago Publishers, 1997. Print.