“The Monkey’s Paw” Character Analysis Notes
Mr. White
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Content with his family and everything he has at the beginning of the play (“I don’t know what to wish for. It seems to
me that I have everything I want”)
Greedy because he saves the paw from the fire to be able to use the remaining three wishes
Before the first wish, he believes that the paw will work (he smiled shamefacedly at his own credulity)
Becomes afraid of Mrs. White and wishes a second time, even though he does not want to.
Selfish because he uses the paw a third time to make the noise at the door stop even though Mrs. White is trying to open
the door b/c she thinks her son is out there.
Mrs. White
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Calm, quiet woman at the beginning of the story
Mocks the paw with Herbert, though not as much as he does.
Does not fully believe in the paw’s magical powers (says that the story is probably made up like most of Morris’ stories)
Becomes hysterical when she realizes the paw could be used to bring Herbert back to life. She does not think of the
consequences of wishing that came from the first wish – it may not work out the way she wants it to.
In her hysterical state, she frightens Mr. White, which is completely opposite of how she acts before the first wish.
Grief stricken all over again when she finally gets the door open to see that whoever was knocking is now gone.
Herbert White
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Seems to be focused and intelligent because he beats his father at chess, even when Mr. White tries to distract him.
Openly mocks the monkey’s paw using sarcasm because he does not believe it will work. (“Wish to be an emperor,”
Plays piano chords as Mr. White wishes, How can 200 Pounds hurt you? “It might fall from the sky on his head,” etc.)
Sergeant Major Morris
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Does not initially want to talk about the paw until the family presses him to do so.
Knows how the paw works and wants to keep others from using it (“it has caused enough mischief already” as he
throws it on the fire)
“Wish if you must, but I warn you of the consequences”