Question

How does the monkey’s paw influence the characters of Mr. and Mrs. White?

Answer 1

Jacobs uses the monkey’s paw as a symbol of greed and unwise desire. Even though the Whites have everything they need, they can’t resist the lure of the mysterious paw. Mr. White saves the paw from burning, even though believes he has nothing to wish for. Mrs. White’s belief in the paw grows stronger after Herbert’s death. She forces her husband to try to bring Herbert back to life. Although Herbert’s death may be just an accident, the couple starts attaching their fate to the monkey’s paw. Horrified that he had actually brought Herbert back to life, Mr. White uses the paw to wish his dead son away. The couple becomes dependent on the paw and holds it responsible for their change in fate.

Answer 2

Mr and Mrs White see the monkey's paw as a way to get something good for no cost. They joke about getting the money to pay off the mortgage; only too late do they realize that the money comes at the cost of their son's life. And then, without thinking, she wishes her son alive; Mr. White realizes that the "son" who will return is the mangled son who was caught in the machinery. The fakir's prophecy is proven when they cannot control their fate.