Monkey Paw free essay sample

A Misfortune of Fate Through out history, people attempted to change their fate to fulfill their desires. In the short story â€Å"The Monkey’s Paw† by W. W. Jacobs, the White family’s simple life is dramatically changed when they do not listen to the advice about a magical monkey’s paw. With the hope of making their lives better by wishing for money, the White family quickly leans that the gains do not weigh the repercussions.In this story, the author foreshadows the White family’s inevitable downfall and uses dramatic irony and foreboding imagery to convey that people should appreciate what they have; attempting to change fate can cause great misfortune. Throughout the story, Jacobs foreshadows the White family’s demise do to their ungrateful attitude and ignorance of fate’s power. When the White family ignores the advice of the sergeant, it seems inevitable that a tragic event will occur. We will write a custom essay sample on Monkey Paw or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page While the sergeant introduces the paw, he warns the Whites that the wish of the previous owners â€Å"third was for death† (52) The White family is careless to not take heed of the sergeant’s warning as most reasonable people would. The White family’s carelessness resulted in the death of their son, Herbert White. The next afternoon a stranger from Herbert’s company appeared that the White household. He told Mr. and Mrs. White that their son â€Å"was caught in the machinery† (55) Although Herbert was lost to death, Mr. and Mrs. White is rewarded two-hundred pounds for condolences; their wish was granted.The remaining of the White family now realizes their ignorance is being punished by fate’s power. The author also uses dramatic irony when the White family experiences a great tragedy due to their desires of wealth. As Mr. White makes a wish for two-hundred pounds, his son, Herbert, doubts the power of the paw. Mocking the paw after his father makes the rebellious wish; he says â€Å"I expect you’ll find the cash tied up in a big bag† (53) with no other thought of something more important, Mr. White greedily makes a wish for money other than a selfless person who would wish for something that would help everyone.Foolishly, Herbert makes fun of the paw which leads him to the end of his life. As the day goes by, the White family goes through their normal routine. Suddenly a stranger comes to their house and tells Mr. and Mrs. White that Herbert â€Å"was caught in the machinery† (55) and for condolences, they were given two-hundred pounds. The thoughtless mistake of Mr. White resulted in the horrible death of Herbert. Fate’s decision to settle things is to exchange Herbert’s life for the money. There were grave consequences due to the greed of the White family.In the short story, the author created a frightening sense of foreboding imagery to portray the mysteries of this magical paw. Jacobs places the story where â€Å"the night [is] cold and wet, bit in the small parlor†¦ the fire [is] burning brightly† (50). This begins the story to be a small fragile house in a dark, scary area. The story creates a contradiction between a hostile world outside and a simple warm inside from harms way. A frightening environment is used to portray the misfortunate events that take place in this short story. As the sergeant shows the paw to the White family, he tells Mr.White that this paw is not an object of happiness. He argues with the sergeant that he should keep the paw, so the sergeant tells his that â€Å"if you keep, don’t blame me for what happens† (52). The White family was told to take caution with the possession of the paw. From what the sergeant said, the magical paw will create a mass destruction in the White family’s life. The mysterious atmosphere Jacobs creates is a whole new world that is introduces to the magical paw. The aftermath of the tragic events that affects the White family conveys the consequences for being greedy as was expected from the onset.These horrific ordeals demonstrate the attempt of trying to change one’s destiny when the disastrous event that Jacobs foreshadows comes from the fruition; it is clear that tampering with fate leads to the demise of the White family. Similarly, the foreboding imagery creates a suspenseful mood that reflects the cursed life the Whites are bound to live. Irony gives an intake of mystery and shock that the White family experiences. As society deems wealth and fame as more significant aspects of life, it is vital to remember what is truly important.