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“The Monkey”s Paw” Study Guide. Complete pg 1-7 for Friday.
“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs
Characters
Protagonist
Antagonist
Other Major Characters
Minor Characters
Extra Characters

Is Mr. White static or dynamic?
Explain
“Monkey’s Paw”
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“The Monkey”s Paw” Study Guide. Complete pg 1-7 for Friday.
Character
Category and Specific Type of Conflict
Mr. White
Details
Mrs. White
Herbert
Sgt. Major Morris
Protagonist
Antagonist
Central Conflict
Category/Type
“Monkey’s Paw” Literary Analysis Target Questions
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“The Monkey”s Paw” Study Guide. Complete pg 1-7 for Friday.
 If the story were to take place in another setting, would the conflict be affected?
•
“He (Sgt. Morris) took the paw, and dangling it between his forefinger and thumb, suddenly
threw it upon the fire. White, with a slight cry, stooped down and snatched it off. ‘Better let it
burn,’ said the soldier solemnly. ‘If you don't want it Morris,’ said the other, ‘give it to me.’ ‘I
won't.’ said his friend doggedly. "I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don't blame me for what
happens. Pitch it on the fire like a sensible man.’”
Based on the previous excerpt, which of the following types of indirect characterization is/are used to
depict Mr. White as unwise?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Speech
Thoughts of the character
Effects on other characters
Actions
Looks
•
What is the mood of the short story “Monkey’s Paw” ?
Provide evidence (tone) to support your answer.
What is the POV of the story “Monkey’s Paw” ?
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“The Monkey”s Paw” Study Guide. Complete pg 1-7 for Friday.
• Go back and skim the text.
•
Is the narrator inside or outside the text?
•
If the narrator is outside the text can he/she get into the mind of one characters or more than
one character?
•
What if the POV of the story “Monkey’s Paw” was written in first person POV?
•
Would that change the story? If so, how?
•
Who does the POV affect? The characters or the reader? Explain
•
Highlight examples of foreshadowing and be able to explain what they foreshadow and how you
came to that conclusion.
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“The Monkey”s Paw” Study Guide. Complete pg 1-7 for Friday.
Indirect Characterization
Mr. White (provide quotes from the story
that demonstrate indirect characterization)
Speech
Thoughts of Mr. White
Effects on other characters
Actions of Mr. White
Looks of Mr. White
“Monkey’s Paw”
Theme
Main Idea
Moral
None
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“The Monkey”s Paw” Study Guide. Complete pg 1-7 for Friday.
Symbol
Monkey’s Paw
Game of Chess
Meaning
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“The Monkey”s Paw” Study Guide. Complete pg 1-7 for Friday.
Directions: Use textual evidence from the story to support all answers.
Chapter 1 Questions:
1. When Mr. White states that he’d like to go to India, just like Sergeant-Major Morris, Morris tells
him “better where you are.” In what way might this be a foreshadowing clue?
2. Morris tells Mr. White that the old fakir who owned the monkey’s paw put a spell on it to “show
that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow.”
How might this information about the monkey’s paw be a foreshadowing clue?
3. After Mr. White retrieves the monkey’s paw from the fire, give examples of foreshadowing
clues, provided by Morris, that build suspense or hint at what might happen later in connection
with the monkey’s paw.
4. Give examples of Herbert White’s attitude towards the monkey’s paw.
5. Why does Mr. White at first have trouble making a wish on the monkey’s paw? What does he
end up wishing for?
Chapter 2 Questions:
1. Using details from the first page of chapter two provide examples of Mrs. White’s contradictory
feelings about the monkey’s paw and the wish that Mr. White made.
2. When the well-dressed stranger appears at their home, what foreshadowing clues are provided
that hint at the message that he brings will not be a positive one?
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“The Monkey”s Paw” Study Guide. Complete pg 1-7 for Friday.
3. When the stranger arrives, what clues can the reader use to make an inference that Mrs. White
believes he is rich? What inference can the reader make about why Mrs. White believes the
stranger has come?
4. How was Mrs. White able to make the inference that her son was dead?
5. How is the end of chapter two an example of situational irony?
Chapter 3 Questions:
1. How are the behaviors of Mr. and Mrs. White different at the start of chapter 3?
2. In what ways has Mrs. White’s attitude about the power of the monkey’s paw changed?
3. Why might Mr. White say that to bring back their son would be “foolish and wicked”?
4. In what way does Mrs. White have power over her husband in the early parts of this chapter?
5. How does Mr. White react when he hears the knocks at the door?
6. Using clues from the story:
a. Make an inference as to what Mr. White believes is on the other side of the door.
b. Next, make an inference as to what Mr. White made for his “third and last wish.”
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“The Monkey”s Paw” Study Guide. Complete pg 1-7 for Friday.
c. Finally, make an inference as to why Mr. White made this wish.