The story “The Monkey’s Paw” is a story in which a veteran comes to the White

residence with a Monkey’s Paw that had been cursed, unbeknownst to the White family. The
Monkey’s Paw grants 3 wishes, but at an unknown cost. The White family soon find out the true
cost of their wishes after wishing for money one day, and it only leads to horror. But how does it
show this horror? This short story by W.W. Jacobs employs various methods to show suspense
and other elements of horror. W. W. Jacobs uses foreshadowing to show the devilish
consequences of the monkey’s paw. For example, when the sergeant-major is explaining the
monkey’s paw, he says, “...fate ruled people's lives, and those who interfered with it did so to
their sorrow.” (Jacobs, 74) This is foreshadowing for the trouble yet to come. As we find out later
in the book, the monkey’s paw does grant wishes, but at the cost of something valuable from
one’s own life. The words “...to their sorrow…” implies serious consequences if you try to
change fate, hence the wishes giving horrendous consequences. Another example is that
Jacobs also uses dialogue to present different feelings. When Mr. White asks General Morris
about the monkey’s paw, he says, “‘Nothing,’ said the soldier hastily. ‘Leastways nothing worth
hearing.’” (Jacobs, 57) This shows how General Morris is uneasy about discussing matters
regarding the monkey’s paw. Usually in writing and even in real life, people usually talk in haste
when they are nervous or have the urge to disregard something, or dodge a topic. They speak
quickly in order to have an opening to change the subject. When General Morris is talking about
the monkey’s paw, he tries multiple times to change the topic. He even implies in the story that
he used his wishes, so he knows the consequences of the monkey’s paw. To conclude, W.W.
Jacobs uses many different tactics to create a sense of fear and horror, such as figurative
language and dialogue.