Tempting Fate
Throughout the short story “The Monkey’s Paw”, the idea of magic, wishes and fate are casually introduced by Jacobs. Fate is a development of events that is beyond a person’s control and is predetermined by supernatural powers. Jacobs raises a genuine chill by underplaying the threats that will arise when tempting fate. Through greed, and supernatural events Jacobs weaves a tale to show that fate rules people’s lives and that those who interfere with it will suffer the consequences. The idea that the monkey’s paw is of supernatural origin is first brought to light by the sergeant-major who informs the White Family that “It has a spell put on it by an old fakir a very holy man” (Jacobs 2) which allows three wishes to be made by three separate men. The Sergeant-Major continues to tell the White family that the monkey’s paw has supernatural powers, he foreshadows through the words “He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow” (Jacobs 2). Through this quote, “The ominous threat of the paw is presented” (Brantingham). The Sergeant-Major warns the White family that wishing on the monkey’s paw and changing their destiny will not appeal to the supernatural world and they will suffer the consequences. Continuing on with the idea of the supernatural, there are a few instances within the short story that support the idea of the monkey’s paw coming from an uncanny universe. The first instance is that everything in this short story comes in threes. The grouping of threes is “A number used in folklore for mystery and superstition” (Koger). The monkey’s paw can be used by three men, and they get three wishes each. There were three visitors to the White’s house: Sergeant-Major Morris, the man from the factory and the final visitor, and there were also three members in the White family. It is no coincidence that the number three is present throughout the short story and adds to the superstition behind the monkey’s paw. Another instance that proves that the monkeys paw is from an uncanny universe is when Mr. White uses it for his first wish he said “It moved, he cried, with a glance of disgust at the object as it lay on the floor. As I wished it twisted in my hands like a snake.” (Jacobs 3). The reference to the snake analogy can be relayed back to the idea of fate. Snakes are often feared by many people; however, they are usually harmless until provoked. Fate is seemingly innocuous until it is exacerbated or in this case meddled with. As Mr. White comments about the monkey’s paw twisting in his hands, this could also relate to the idea, he twisted fate, and that the monkey’s paw is a curse of great power. The great power that comes with the monkey’s paw tempts the user into making grand wishes due to greed, no matter what consequences they will face.
Greed is very prominent in this short story. When Mr. White is first faced with the decision of wishes, he says “I don’t know what to wish for, and that’s a fact” (Jacobs 3). Mr. White is pleased with his life, his family and his comfortable home, however influenced by the greedy tendencies of his wife and son Hebert, he decides to wish for 200 pounds even though he does not really need. Mr. White is like Eve, in the story of Adam and Eve. He has everything he needs but he wants more. Hebert says, “Why, we’re going to be rich, and famous, and happy. Wish to be an emperor, father, to begin with: then you can’t be henpecked” (Jacobs 3). His son ignores the warning from the sergeant-major and immediately begins planning his father’s wishes. Most of Herbert’s suggestions illustrate greedy tendencies that will give his family power. It can be said that the son has a rapacious disposition. Fate reveals itself when they are granted their first wish. Mr. and Mrs. White are devastated to learn that their son had been killed in an accident. The monkey’s paw delivered the 200 pounds but at the expense of their son’s life. Mrs. White being inconsolable has not made the connection of tempting fate and out of grief she insists that her husband use the monkey’s paw and resurrect her son and from that moment it is learned that “Fate operates beyond such familiar concepts as fairness and justice” (Koger). In conclusion, the casual introduction of magic, wishes, and fate gives the reader a chilling experience by exposing the the realities of tampering with the supernatural world. Jacobs uses greed as a motive behind the White’s wishes, and supernatural events to add to the mystery behind the monkey’s paws powers. The author utilizes the powerful emotion behind Herbert’s death to prove his point. If you try to manipulate fate, you will have to suffer the consequences. This short story embodies the notion, be careful what you wish for.

Works Cited

Brantingham, Philip M. "W. W. Jacobs." Critical Survey Of Mystery & Detective Fiction, Revised Edition (2008): 1-3. Literary Reference Center. Web. 30 May 2016.
Cox, Michael, and R. A. Gilbert. The Oxford Book of English Ghost Stories. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2008. Print.
Koger, Grove. "The Monkey’s Paw." Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition (2004): 1-2. Literary Reference Center. Web. 30 May 2016.