Documentation Report

And Presentation of Analysis of

Literature Competencies
and Choice of Appropriate Literary
Texts

Submitted by:
Aya Cabral
Jeniffer Liwanag
Iverson Dela Cruz
Karla Patricia Romano

Submitted to:
Billy Joe M. Nicolas

2nd Semester
S.Y 2022-2023
The Monkey’s Paw 1.
Literature Competencies

The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs aims to develop the following competencies:

1. Explain the characters, plot (including detailed events, a problem, and a solution), and
setting of the story.
2. Describe the characters in terms of their characteristics, roles, and commonalities.
3. Determine the genre, setting, theme, conflict, and main characters of a work of fiction.
4. Discuss the literary strategies utilized in a piece of literature, such as point of view and
symbolism.
5. Able to identify and understand the decisions and actions taken by the characters in the
story, and to know the potential outcomes and effects of those decisions.
6. Comprehend and interpret the story’s events, the significance of the paw and its power.
7. Recognize the characters’ decisions and actions and consider the effects of their
choices.

The Gift of the Magi 2.

Literature Competencies
“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry is a classic short story that can teach readers several
valuable learning competencies.

1. Critical thinking: The story challenges readers to think deeply about the meaning of true
love and sacrifice. It encourages readers to critically examine the characters’ actions and
motivations and to consider the consequences of their decisions.
2. Empathy: The story promotes empathy as it allows readers to connect with the
characters and understand their struggles.
3. Communication: The story emphasizes the importance of effective communication in
relationships, especially in understanding each other’s needs and desires.
4. Resourcefulness: The story demonstrates the characters’ resourcefulness in finding
ways to give gifts despite their limited resources, which can inspire readers to be
creative and resourceful in their own lives.
5. Gratitude: The story encourages readers to appreciate the love and sacrifices of others,
and to be grateful for what they have, rather than focusing on what they lack.

Overall, “The Gift of the Magi” is a timeless story that can inspire readers to reflect on the
meaning of true love, sacrifice, and the importance of empathy, communication,
resourcefulness, and gratitude.
 “THE DANGER OF GREED AND DESIRE”
An Analysis Paper on “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs

"Be careful what you wish for, you may receive it." -Anonymous. W.W. Jacobs, in full
William Wymark Jacobs, born September 8, 1863 in London, England and died September 1,
1943. An English short-story writer best known for his classic horror story “The Monkey's Paw.”
The Monkey's Paw is a story that is about "three wishes". Reminding us we should now
interfere with destiny. Also, every choices has its consequences. The story was first published
in 1902 and then featured in The Lady of the Barge, published in 1911. Through characteristics
created by W. W. Jacob’s works, Marxism becomes evidently visible within his stories
specifically “The Monkey's Paw".

The story revolves on how they wish to have more comfortable life. Marxism is evidently
visible in the acts that the story’s characters do, particularly when they are talking. The story
starts when the night was cold and wet. The White family was waiting for a visitor. Mr. White
and his son Herbert were playing chess while Mrs. White was quietly knitting near the fireplace.
Their visitor, Sergeant Major Morris, arrived and talked about his travels. This reminded Mr.
White of the monkey's paw, which Morris had mentioned in a recent letter. “I should like to see
those old temples and fakirs and the street entertainers,” said the old man. “What was that that you
started telling me the other day about a monkey’s paw or something, Morris?" . Morris was hesitant to
tell the story, but he eventually did. He explained that he had acquired the paw in India and that
it was supposedly bewitched by an old fakir to grant three separate men three wishes. "The first
man had his three wishes. Yes,” was the reply, “I don’t know what the first two were, but the third was for
death. That’s how I got the paw.”

After Morris threw the monkey's paw into the fire, Mr. White asked to keep it. He explained
that if you make a wish while holding the paw in your right hand, the wish will come true. Morris
warned Mr. White that the wishes might come with a price. “Hold it up in your right hand, and state
your wish out loud so that you can be heard,” said the Sergeant-Major, “But I warn you of what might
happen.” Despite this, Mr. White made his first wish for a sum of two hundred pounds. After he
made his wish, the paw moved, which frightened Mr. White. Morris explained that the wish
would come true naturally, and it would feel like a coincidence. “I wish for two hundred pounds,”
said the old man clearly. A fine crash from the piano greeted his words, broken by a frightened cry from
the old man. His wife and son ran toward him."

Later, the Whites were shocked to learn that their son had died after being swallowed by a
machine at the factory where he worked. The company gave them two hundred pounds, which
made them realize that their wish had come true but at the cost of their son's life. “I was to say
that Maw and Meggins accept no responsibility,” continued the other. “But, although they don’t believe
that they have a legal requirement to make a payment to you for your loss, in view of your son’s services
they wish to present you with a certain sum.” The Whites were extremely sad after the burial, and
Mrs. White persuaded her husband to use the paw to wish for their son to come back to life.
“No,” she cried excitedly; “We’ll have one more. Go down and get it quickly, and wish our boy alive
again." “It is foolish and wicked,” he said weakly. “WISH!” repeated his wif. He raised his hand. “I wish
my son alive again.” Mr. White made the wish, and they heard a knock on the front door. Mrs.
White hurriedly opened the door to welcome her son, but Mr. White was afraid of what his son
might look like if he came back to life. “ It’s my boy; it’s Herbert!” she cried, struggling automatically. “I
forgot it was two miles away. What are you holding me for? Let go. I must open the door.”

Mrs. White struggled to open the lock with her shaking hands, and Mr. White, overcome
with fear, found the monkey's paw and made another wish. "He heard the movement of the lock as
she began to open it, and at the same moment he found the monkeys’ paw, and frantically breathed his
third and last wish." When Mrs. White finally opened the door, there was nothing there but a dark,
empty street with no trace of their son. " A cold wind blew up the staircase, and a long loud cry of
disappointment and pain from his wife gave him the courage to run down to her side, and then to the
gate. The streetlight opposite shone on a quiet and deserted road."

The theme of the story is about greed, desires, karma and the danger of having a wish
come true. The story takes place on a cold and wet night in the small house of the White Family.
Mr. White expresses his disbelief at how their place is the worst and he can’t even walk on the
footpath without getting stuck in the mud. “Of all the awful out of the way places to live in, this is the
worst. Can’t walk on the footpath without getting stuck in the mud, and the road’s a river. “ Within the
setting itself, you can already identify how Marxism applies to the story as the Whites live in a
neighborhood with only two houses and the government does nothing to fix their road. The
characters of the story desire more power and wealth. For example, Herbert wishes for his
father to become the King and you can see how he wants to be part of the higher class and
escape poverty. “Wish to be a king, father, to begin with; then mother can’t complain all the time.” The
story highlights the fact that men can make wishes on the monkey’s paw and how men were
more powerful than women at that time. The most important problem we can see in the story is
how the factory “Maw and Meggins” compensates for Herbert’s death to keep their employees
quiet. “I was to say that Maw and Meggins accept no responsibility,” continued the other. “But, although
they don’t believe that they have a legal requirement to make a payment to you for your loss, in view of
your son’s services they wish to present you with a certain sum.” In our country, there are cases like
this mostly from famous companies, that try to compensate for the loss of their employees so
that no one can talk and they can maintain their image. The story clearly shows how wealthy
people can easily give any amount of money just to keep their image.
 “Endless Devotion: Love and Sacrifices”
An Analysis Paper on “THE GIFT OF THE MAGI” by O. Henry

“Maybe the hairs of my head could be counted, but no one could ever count my love for
you.” A line from the story of The Gift of the Magi how people can do anything for love. William
Sydney Porter, who went by the pen name O. Henry, wrote “The Gift of the Magi”. His
unexpected endings in stories were widely enjoyed. “The Gift of the Magi” was first printed in
The New York World newspaper in 1905, and was later included in O. Henry’s second short
story book called The Four Million in 1906.

The main characters of “The Gift of the Magi,” are Della and Jim Young, a young married
couple with very little money. Jim’s salary has been reduced by 30%, so the two must make
every purchase on a limited budget. Della carefully calculates the money she has been saving
for months on the day before Christmas. She is shocked to discover that she has less than two
dollars, that is not enough to make any purchases. Della wants to find a way to get Jim the
present he deserves. After a good long cry, she gets a thought as she glances into a mirror. Jim
and Della are both proud of their two valuables. One is Jim’s grandfather’s gold watch, which he
wears every day. The other is Della’s long, beautiful hair, which reaches her legs. Della goes to
an apartment to see a wigmaker. Sofronie gives $20 in exchange for her hair. After that, Della
visits the stores with the cash in her hand to look for something deserving of Jim. She suddenly
finds it: a platinum watch chain.

Della tries to fix her blondish hair once she gets home. She prepares dinner in a frying pan
while waiting patiently for Jim at the front door. He doesn’t say anything as he enters and
notices Della’s hair. None of the feelings Della expected to see on his face like anger, surprise,
disapproval, or horror can be seen. He just stands and stares. Della approaches him and
explains that she had to sell her hair to pay for his gift. Jim tries to understand, and then all of a
sudden he starts to make sense. He takes Della’s holiday gift out of his pocket. When she
opens it, she discovers a set of hair combs that she had long admired in a store window. She
can now see why Jim was shocked. Jim accepts Della’s gift, but he doesn’t take out his watch to
fit the chain because he sold it to pay for Della’s combs.

The narrator says that the giving ”f Christmas gifts was first done by the wise men, also
known as the magi, who gave gifts to the baby Jesus. These men undoubtedly provided wise
presents because they were wise individuals. The narrator claims that Della and Jim foolishly
gave up their most prized possessions. However, they are enlightened since they donated from
the heart: “They are the magi.” The couple in this story demonstrated their unending love for
one another by giving up their favorite belongings. On the one hand, Della cut off her hair to
save money for Jim’s wrist chain. While, Jim decides to sell his family’s jewelry and gold watch
in order to purchase a stunning comb for Della. Their sacrifices, nevertheless, also include
elaborate selfishness. One more lovely and priceless present they purchased was ultimately
useless. In the absence of Della’s hair, the clam comb is useless. The keychain chain is also
ineffective with Jim’s gold watch. This makes reference to the actual gifts that the wise men
gave to Jesus when he was born. Similar to how those gifts were useless for Christ, the only
thing that is important is the love and sincerity with which they are presented.

It Is quite unusual how well the couple is expressing their love. This clearly demonstrates
the materialism that existed at the time. Industrialism, which excelled in the 19 th century, gave
rise to materialism, economic dissatisfaction, and class consciousness. The aforementioned
small signs can be found when both characters select materials to convey their affection for one
another. Additionally, the view from their home is a reflection of the time’s middle-class lifestyle.
Jim was deeply affected by his financial obligations. Despite his numerous struggles, he is
unable to maintain his family.

They have kept up their properties despite having a limited income so that guests can visit
them. This emphasizes the idea that everyone in that culture socializes with things rather than
people. Feelings and emotions were disregarded. O’Henry seemed to be criticizing materialism.
By comparing them with Della and Jim’s possessions, he uses the Queen of Sheba and the
King of Solomon to symbolize the jewels and wealth. He believes that Jim’s watch and Della’s
hair have powerful emotional connections. But they gave everything up out of love. Because he
challenges society’s preference toward wealth and income in this way. He appears to support
the absence of truthfulness and affection in society. Even though those three kings also
purchased priceless gifts, their sincerity and emotions were nevertheless taken into
consideration. O’Henry describes both characters as knowledgeable in the end. He makes it
clear that they both sold items to pay for Christmas presents there. However, love was the only
thing that saw the couple endure their final moments. O’Henry emphasizes the occasion which
does not simply refer to the exchanging of gifts by just using the context of Christmas. Instead, it
symbolizes peace, genuineness, and love. Because no matter what happens, if your heart is
pure, you can celebrate it without any regrets.