Literary Devices In The Monkey’S Paw

Oppressive. The three types of literary devices I used were: Simile, Symbolism, and Foreshadowing.

Study Guide for The Monkey’s Paw

The Monkeys Paw study guide contains a biography of W.W. Jacobs, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

This line is a little tongue-in-cheek. Morris’s “offhanded”—meaning “casual”—way of bringing up magic suggests that he not only has seen quite a lot of magic during his time in India but also that it’s now a mundane event to him. Though he tries to sound casual about the monkey’s paw, the Whites are intrigued by it after his admission that it’s magic. It could be argued that Morris deliberately piques the family’s interest, but readers have no insight into his motivations. The tone shifts, then, from wonder at the exotic to curiosity about the paw’s powers.

The word “it” is significant in the passage. It emphasizes the contrast between Mr. White and his wife in regard to how they now think of their son. Mrs. White hasnt accepted Herberts death and continues to think of him as he had been in life. Mr. White is realistic and recalls Herberts badly mangled body. Mr. Whites use of “it” also increases the suspense.

In addition to the items below, you can find more information about foreshadowing, symbols, and tone for “The Monkeys Paw” on their separate analysis pages.

Like the previous two parts, the house’s atmosphere is described in the first sentence. With Herbert gone—the Whites’ only child and the source of much of their happiness—there is no joy left for them to come home to. This sets the tone for the rest of the section: unhappy and dark.

Black Humor: Since W. W. Jacobs more often wrote humor rather than horror, “The Monkey’s Paw” contains some dark humor, making light of subject matter that is morbid or serious. The two most prominent examples occur in relation to the discussion of the power of the monkey’s paw. When Mrs. White jokingly suggests wishing for four pairs of hands for herself, Morris is alarmed, as he knows that she might literally sprout extra hands—a grotesque yet humorous . Furthermore, some lines of character dialogue are ironically funny or foreboding in light of the story’s conclusion.

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    Jacobs drew from a number of widely known literary sources in writing “The Monkey’s Paw” to make the story both familiar and unsettling. His most recognizable influence was the tale of Aladdin and the magic lamp, one of the more famous tales in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights, or simply Arabian Nights, as Mrs. White calls it. There are numerous variations to the Aladdin story—including Walt Disney’s popular cartoon of the 1990s—but nearly all of them suggest that successful wishing is impossible because magic never works the way people want it to work. Jacobs also uses the same structural pattern in “The Monkey’s Paw” featured in most other “three wishes” stories: the first wish leads to unexpected and dissatisfying results, the hastily made second wish fails to reverse the first wish and only worsens the situation, and the third wish manages to undo the disastrous second wish.

    Jacobs’s less obvious sources of inspiration, however, include the Bible and stories of Faust, the German scholar who sells his soul in exchange for the devil’s service. Mr. White recoils in horror after wishing on the monkey’s paw for the first time, insisting that the paw moved like a snake in his hand. This snake alludes to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, in which Eve discovers that the seemingly delicious fruit brings only misery. Similarly, the Whites—whose surname suggests unsullied innocence—discover that the powerful monkey’s paw grants wishes with a heavy price. And just as in the Faust stories, the fulfillment of Mr. and Mrs. White’s wishes brings only pain and suffering to others and therefore fail to satisfy them.

    FAQ

    What literary device is used in the monkey’s paw?

    Foreshadowing. Literary foreshadowing is the use of indications of what is to come in a story. Morris warns the family about the dangers of the paw and tries to burn it. This behavior foreshadows that the paw is a malevolent force.

    What are three examples of figurative language in the monkey’s paw?

    Metaphor: Knocks

    Jacobs describes the (putative) dead Herbert’s knocks on the door as a “perfect fusillade.” This evocation of artillery, of war, enhances the terror of the moment. It raises the scene to an epic battle between the forces of darkness and fate and the diminutive figures of Mr. and Mrs. White.

    What are some metaphors in the monkey’s paw?

    The monkey’s paw is a symbol of desire and greed—everything that its owner could possibly wish for and the unrestricted ability to make it happen. This power makes the paw alluring, even to unselfish people who desire nothing and have everything they need. Mr.

    What is the imagery in the monkey paw?

    The monkey’s paw is a symbol of desire and greed—everything that its owner could possibly wish for and the unrestricted ability to make it happen. This power makes the paw alluring, even to unselfish people who desire nothing and have everything they need. Mr.

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