CERER “The Monkey’s Paw “

Many people believe “Wishes only come true in fairy tales.” However, in this fiction story called “The Monkey’s Paw,” the wishes do come true but with consequences.  

The theme in “The Monkey’s Paw” by William W. Jacob is to be happy for what you have and don’t focus on what you don’t have. “‘The first man had his three wishes, yes. I don’t know what the first two wishes were but the third was for death. That’s how I got the paw.’ He spoke so seriously that everybody became quiet” (Jacob 2). The major knows that the paw must be bad because he knew that the first man wished for death.The first owner’s wishes didn’t turn out good because he wouldn’t have wished for death with his final wish if they did. Despite this, the couple was still excitedly asking the major questions about the paw,  but after hearing him talk about the first man’s wishes, everyone grew quiet.  We can tell that the major didn’t want anyone else to have the paw since he spoke in a serious tone. The major was trying to save them from wanting more things than they needed and regretting using the paw. He was also trying to tell them not to be greedy, nor to wish for things they didn’t need. The major was so concerned about people using the paw for wishes that he went to extreme measures to keep people from using it. The major burned the paw hoping it would be destroyed so no one else would use it. “‘No. I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don’t then say that it is my fault. Be sensible – throw it on the fire again!’” (Jacob 2) The major’s face whitened when the couple wouldn’t listen to him and insisted on using the monkey’s paw. He responded quietly to them when asked if he had been granted his wishes. He wanted to burn the paw so that it would not cause more trouble. This showed that the major realized not to be greedy. He wanted to tell Mr. White not to focus on what they don’t have but instead be happy with his own life. Unfortunately, Mr. White didn’t listen to the major and used the monkey’s paw to wish for more things. He wished for 200 pounds, but the 200 pounds came from the death of their son. The evilness of the monkey’s paw was giving you what you thought you wanted, but then taking away what you loved at the same time.

The major and the couple got what they wished for in the end but not in a good way.  The author wanted us to know not to be selfish. Would you use the monkey’s paw?