Tempting Fate: Essay on "the Monkey's Paw"

-Ildar-

Tempting Fate

The "Monkey's Paw" reveals an intriguing story of destiny and death. The Theme challenges the classical ideas of destiny and fate.

From the beginning of the story Mr. White denies the seriousness of the paw. When he says, "Well, why don't you have three sir", he is in a way mocking Morris and the criticalness of the paw. The effects of disturbing fate do not even occur to him at this point and his intrigue and human greed override his judgment. "If you don't want it, Morris, give it to me", Mr. White had said after Morris threw the paw in the fire. This is where Mr. White made his first mistake.

Mrs. White on the other hand manages to keep a cool head in the beginning and is apprehensive of the paw. She originally senses the danger that the paw poses but doesn't make much of it and actually encourages Mr. White to use the paw.

Mr. White's first wish was a simple one as he thought. "I wish for two hundred pounds," he had uttered so easily thinking that this was as straightforward of a wish as there could be. Little did he know that tempting fate in such a way had serious consequences. At this point in the story the writer foreshadows the grim events that follow when Herbert says, "Well, I don't see the money, and I bet I never shall". Ironically Herbert is correct.

The twist of the story revealed itself when Mrs. White opened the door to receive her money. The visitor from Maw and Meggins delivered the bad new of their sons untimely death, "He was caught in the machinery" he said. The man awarded the Whites two hundred pounds, which is seemingly how heavy Mr. White felt when he fainted and fell to the floor.

At this point in the story the Whites were probably fanatical and this state of mind is probably what sparked the foolish idea of wishing Herbert back. Mrs. White made the initial push for the wish when she screamed "The paw! The monkey's paw!". Mr. White had more sense and realized that the paw once again could pull one on them. "He has been dead ten days, and besides he-I would not tell you sense, but- I could only recognize him by his clothing. If he was too terrible for you to see then, how now?" was Mr. Whites reason for initially not wishing. To make his