Premium Essay

The Idea Of Greed In The Monkey's Paw

Submitted By
Words 506
Pages 3
Why are humans foolishly trying to hold the power of escaping death? The theme of fate looks to be the focal point of this story, but if one analyzes it at a deeper level it is found to stem from the idea of death. It is ultimately unconquerable to outdo fate.
“The Monkey’s Paw” portrayed the idea of greed and how it was so desirable. Despite the fact that the Paw had consequences, it was very captivating and they couldn’t help themselves whether or not they were greedy or if they already had everything they needed. Being as though the Paw had an inexplicable power that no one could really understand, people wanted their lives to be “better” in the way of wealth. The characters don’t come to the realization that by changing fate, there comes a long road of disappointment. Commonly, people like to play around with their life as if it won’t affect their future. Once their future is upon them, they won’t be satisfied with the decisions or wishes they made at one point. …show more content…
“The Masque of the Red Death” was written with the fear of death in mind. Within this short story, it is found that the masked figure symbolizes death, which also connects the idea of not being able to escape it. Humans falsely believed that they could actually overcome fate. This was ultimately coming from the idea that death should not be given the time of day, meaning that there is no time in the day where anyone should have to die. People don’t realize that to evade death isn’t something that is possible, by any

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Monkey's Paq

...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...

Words: 911 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Monkeys Paw- Fear of the Unknown

...the Unknown The story The Monkey's Paw, takes place in what is described as, "a beastly, slushy, out of the way" area where the "pathway's a bog and the road's a torrent." The location alone is setting the stage for fear. The use of fear of the unknown with regard to greed have been shown in a number of ways. Firstly with the game of chess between Mr. White and his son Herbert, then jumping at the chance to make a wish on the paw even after knowing that the paw had brought trouble to others that had used it and lastly asking for their son to be brought back to life. The game of chess in this story symbolizes life in "The Monkey's Paw." The game of chess entails risk taking. When the story opens Mr. White and his son Herbert are playing a game of chess in the safety and warmth of their home but little do we the reader realize that the outcome of the game will eventually mirror that of the ending of the story. While playing with his son, Mr. White announces his theory of "radical changes" with regard to chess. He takes incredible risk in the game and even Mrs. White is worried about the moves that he makes. We are told that Mr. White has just committed "a fatal mistake after which it was too late." During the game he realizes that while he was feeling confident about the risks he was taking, he discovers that theses risks have brought only loss to his game, foreshadowing much the same as the risks he takes in wishing on the paw for 200 pounds and the great loss...

Words: 796 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Why Not To Granted In Monkey's Paw

...With the power of being granted three wishes, there are a lot of option to wish for to satisfy someone’s greed or wellbeing. Money is an example of a wish that satisfy someone’s greed or wellbeing. In the story Monkey’s Paw, the White family wish for two hundred pounds and it was wish granted, but with a consequence. This is why hard work and inspiration should motivate people to be successful and not just rely on wishes. The story Monkey’s Paw, demonstrate how dangerous wishes can be from using unnatural object to grant them. Morris stated in Monkey’s Paw “It has caused me enough mischief already.” Even though Morris did not say what his three wishes were, the monkey’s paw had cause him enough trouble in his life when he received it. Receiving an item that look creepy and have the ability to grant wishes seems dangerous to keep around. Morris also said the man before him also has his three wishes granted, but his last one is for death. That right there is a big clue that should ring the bell of how dangerous using anything weird granting wishes. Morris view the monkey’s paw as something that should not exist in the world anymore and that it should be destroy. This is why he threw the paw into the fire to get rid of....

Words: 634 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Similarities Between Monkeys Paw And Macbeth

...“Greed makes a man blind and foolish, and makes him an easy prey for death.” (Rumi) To be unsatisfied with one’s lifestyle will lead to one striving for superficial means such as money or power. It may seem tempting to one if they were given the opportunity to have wish come true, or a glimpse into their future, but nothing comes without consequences. In the short story Monkeys Paw by W.W Jacobs and the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the characters strive to alter their destiny through supernatural means which ultimately leads to greed developing within the characters, fate being tampered with for personal gain, and the downfall of major characters within both stories. In both texts, the main characters lived average lives;...

Words: 692 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Guilt In Monkey's Paw And The Tell-Tale Heart

...Guilt can make you do things that aren’t the best for your situation and make problems worse. These two stories that are a part of this essay are two ideas of what guilt can make you do. In the Monkey’s Paw and the Tell-Tale Heart, their cause-and-effect relationship is that being greedy or selfish can cause guilt and the feeling of suspense from the guilt causes them to do things that aren’t sensible. Consequently, guilt and the reaction to guilt causes complications. In the Monkey’s Paw, the White family was selfish and wish for money. As a consequence, their son was killed causing them to feel remorse. Mrs. White felt miserable and thoughtlessly wanted her son back no matter the cost; even though she saw the consequences to the last wish....

Words: 544 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Waste Maagement

...Name- Student name- Tutor name- Week 2 I have gone through first part of all the stories and decided to make the folio based on ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ as it sounds really interesting to me. After reading thoroughly the first part of the story, I can say that Mr. Morris, Sargeant-Major has gone through some rough and brutal phase for which he holds ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ guilty and responsible. There was some bitter fact that he hides from his friend, Mr. White though he warns him about the misfortune. As for Mr. White, I felt that he is curious to know about the truth behind ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ but at the same time somewhere down the line he has a greed of getting more by making wish to ‘The Monkey’s Paw’. Whilst Mrs. White and his son takes this issue in a humorous and light way. From the very beginning author has set the mood of the story as suspicious and mysterious which fills the mind of the reader with a surge to reveal the unknown. From the suspicious environment created, it can be predicted easily that some ghosts and haunting is coming on the way. Very cleverly author revealed that there is some misfortune related to the history of the monkey’s paw and a holy man has spelled something over the mummified paw of monkey but what is that misfortune? Also, what was happening upstairs after Mr. White wished for the first thing? These are yet unsolved questions. Reading the very first part of the story, I can say that the story is filled with thrills, unexpected...

Words: 1963 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

The Astrology

...The New Astrology by SUZANNE WHITE Copyright © 1986 Suzanne White. All rights reserved. 2 Dedication book is dedicated to my mother, Elva Louise McMullen Hoskins, who is gone from this world, but who would have been happy to share this page with my courageous kids, April Daisy White and Autumn Lee White; my brothers, George, Peter and John Hoskins; my niece Pamela Potenza; and my loyal friends Kitti Weissberger, Val Paul Pierotti, Stan Albro, Nathaniel Webster, Jean Valère Pignal, Roselyne Viéllard, Michael Armani, Joseph Stoddart, Couquite Hoffenberg, Jean Louis Besson, Mary Lee Castellani, Paula Alba, Marguerite and Paulette Ratier, Ted and Joan Zimmermann, Scott Weiss, Miekle Blossom, Ina Dellera, Gloria Jones, Marina Vann, Richard and Shiela Lukins, Tony Lees-Johnson, Jane Russell, Jerry and Barbara Littlefield, Michele and Mark Princi, Molly Friedrich, Consuelo and Dick Baehr, Linda Grey, Clarissa and Ed Watson, Francine and John Pascal, Johnny Romero, Lawrence Grant, Irma Kurtz, Gene Dye, Phyllis and Dan Elstein, Richard Klein, Irma Pride Home, Sally Helgesen, Sylvie de la Rochefoucauld, Ann Kennerly, David Barclay, John Laupheimer, Yvon Lebihan, Bernard Aubin, Dédé Laqua, Wolfgang Paul, Maria José Desa, Juliette Boisriveaud, Anne Lavaur, and all the others who so dauntlessly stuck by me when I was at my baldest and most afraid. Thanks, of course, to my loving doctors: James Gaston, Richard Cooper, Yves Decroix, Jean-Claude Durand, Michel Soussaline and...

Words: 231422 - Pages: 926

Free Essay

Novel

...Salman Rushdie Midnight's Children First published in 1981 Excerpts from the Koran come from the Penguin Classics edition, translated by N. J. Dawood, copyright (c) 1956, 1959,1966,1968,1974. for Zafar Rushdie who, contrary to all expectations, was born in the afternoon Contents Book One The perforated sheet Mercurochrome Hit-the-spittoon Under the carpet A public announcement Many-headed monsters Methwold Tick, tock Book Two The fisherman's pointing finger Snakes and ladders Accident in a washing-chest All-India radio Love in Bombay My tenth birthday At the Pioneer Cafe Alpha and Omega The Kolynos Kid Commander Sabarmati's baton Revelations Movements performed by pepperpots Drainage and the desert Jamila Singer How Saleem achieved purity Book Three The buddha In the Sundarbans Sam and the Tiger The shadow of the Mosque A wedding Midnight Abracadabra Book One The perforated sheet I was born in the city of Bombay ... once upon a time. No, that won't do, there's no getting away from the date: I was born in Doctor Narlikar's Nursing Home on August 15th, 1947. And the time? The time matters, too. Well then: at night. No, it's important to be more ... On the stroke of midnight, as a matter of fact. Clock-hands joined palms in respectful greeting as I came. Oh, spell it out, spell it out: at the precise instant of India's arrival at independence, I tumbled forth into the world. There were gasps. And, outside the...

Words: 217909 - Pages: 872

Premium Essay

Critical Thinking

...fourth EDItION fourth EDItION This clear, learner-friendly text helps today’s students bridge the gap between Its comprehensiveness allows instructors to tailor the material to their individual teaching styles, resulting in an exceptionally versatile text. Highlights of the Fourth Edition: Additional readings and essays in a new Appendix as well as in Chapters 7 and 8 nearly double the number of readings available for critical analysis and classroom discussion. An online chapter, available on the instructor portion of the book’s Web site, addresses critical reading, a vital skill for success in college and beyond. Visit www.mhhe.com/bassham4e for a wealth of additional student and instructor resources. Bassham I Irwin Nardone I Wallace New and updated exercises and examples throughout the text allow students to practice and apply what they learn. MD DALIM #1062017 12/13/09 CYAN MAG YELO BLK Chapter 12 features an expanded and reorganized discussion of evaluating Internet sources. Critical Thinking thinking, using real-world examples and a proven step-by-step approach. A student ' s Introduction A student's Introduction everyday culture and critical thinking. It covers all the basics of critical Critical Thinking Ba ssha m I Irwin I Nardone I Wall ace CRITICAL THINKING A STUDENT’S INTRODUCTION FOURTH EDITION Gregory Bassham William Irwin Henry Nardone James M. Wallace King’s College TM bas07437_fm_i-xvi.indd i 11/24/09 9:53:56 AM TM Published by McGraw-Hill...

Words: 246535 - Pages: 987

Premium Essay

Marketing

...fourth EDItION Critical Thinking A student ' s Introduction Ba ssha m I I rwi n I N ardon e I Wal l ac e CRITICAL THINKING A STUDENT’S INTRODUCTION FOURTH EDITION Gregory Bassham William Irwin Henry Nardone James M. Wallace King’s College TM TM Published by McGraw-Hill, an imprint of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Copyright © 2011, 2008, 2005, 2002. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., including, but not limited to, in any network or other electronic storage or transmission, or broadcast for distance learning. This book is printed on acid-free paper. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 DOC/DOC 0 ISBN: 978-0-07-340743-2 MHID: 0-07-340743-7 Vice President, Editorial: Michael Ryan Director, Editorial: Beth Mejia Sponsoring Editor: Mark Georgiev Marketing Manager: Pam Cooper Managing Editor: Nicole Bridge Developmental Editor: Phil Butcher Project Manager: Lindsay Burt Manuscript Editor: Maura P. Brown Design Manager: Margarite Reynolds Cover Designer: Laurie Entringer Production Supervisor: Louis Swaim Composition: 11/12.5 Bembo by MPS Limited, A Macmillan Company Printing: 45# New Era Matte, R. R. Donnelley & Sons Cover Image: © Brand X/JupiterImages Credits: The credits section for this book begins on page C-1 and is considered...

Words: 240232 - Pages: 961

Premium Essay

Igbo Dictionary

...onaryDictionary of Ònìchà Igbo 2nd edition of the Igbo dictionary, Kay Williamson, Ethiope Press, 1972. Kay Williamson (†) This version prepared and edited by Roger Blench Roger Blench Mallam Dendo 8, Guest Road Cambridge CB1 2AL United Kingdom Voice/ Fax. 0044-(0)1223-560687 Mobile worldwide (00-44)-(0)7967-696804 E-mail R.Blench@odi.org.uk http://www.rogerblench.info/RBOP.htm To whom all correspondence should be addressed. This printout: November 16, 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abbreviations: ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Editor’s Preface............................................................................................................................................... 1 Editor’s note: The Echeruo (1997) and Igwe (1999) Igbo dictionaries ...................................................... 2 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................... 4 1. Earlier lexicographical work on Igbo........................................................................................................ 4 2. The development of the present work ....................................................................................................... 6 3. Onitsha Igbo ...................................................................................................

Words: 129398 - Pages: 518

Free Essay

The Kite Runner

...THE KITE RUNNER by KHALED HOSSEINI Riverhead Books - New York The author makes liberal use of _italics_ and I have missed noting many of them, but the rest of this text file should demonstrate good proofing. Copyright © 2003 by Khaled Hosseini Riverhead trade paperback ISBN: 1-59488-000-1 This book is dedicated to Haris and Farah, both the _noor_ of my eyes, and to the children of Afghanistan. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am indebted to the following colleagues for their advice, assistance, or support: Dr. Alfred Lerner, Don Vakis, Robin Heck, Dr. Todd Dray, Dr. Robert Tull, and Dr. Sandy Chun. Thanks also to Lynette Parker of East San Jose Community Law Center for her advice about adoption procedures, and to Mr. Daoud Wahab for sharing his experiences in Afghanistan with me. I am grateful to my dear friend Tamim Ansary for his guidance and support and to the gang at the San Francisco Writers Workshop for their feed back and encouragement. I want to thank my father, my oldest friend and the inspiration for all that is noble in Baba; my mother who prayed for me and did nazr at every stage of this book’s writing; my aunt for buying me books when I was young. Thanks go out to Ali, Sandy, Daoud, Walid, Raya, Shalla, Zahra, Rob, and Kader for reading my stories. I want to thank Dr. and Mrs. Kayoumy--my other parents--for their warmth and unwavering support. I must thank my agent and friend, Elaine Koster, for her wisdom, patience, and gracious ways, as well as Cindy Spiegel, my keen-eyed and...

Words: 108311 - Pages: 434

Free Essay

The Kite Runner

...THE  KITE   RUNNER     by  KHALED  HOSSEINI         Published  2003     Afghan  Mellat  Online  Library   www.afghan-­‐mellat.org.uk                               _December  2001_   I  became  what  I  am  today  at  the  age  of  twelve,  on  a  frigid  overcast  day  in  the   winter  of  1975.  I  remember  the  precise  moment,  crouching  behind  a  crumbling   mud  wall,  peeking  into  the  alley  near  the  frozen  creek.  That  was  a  long  time  ago,   but  it's  wrong  what  they  say  about  the  past,  I've  learned,  about  how  you  can  bury   it.  Because  the  past  claws  its  way  out.  Looking  back  now,  I  realize  I  have  been   peeking  into  that  deserted  alley  for  the  last  twenty-­‐six  years.       One  day  last  summer,  my  friend  Rahim  Khan  called  from  Pakistan.  He   asked  me  to  come  see  him.  Standing  in  the  kitchen  with  the  receiver  to  my  ear,  I   knew  it  wasn't  just  Rahim  Khan  on...

Words: 111319 - Pages: 446