Question

Read the excerpt from “The Monkey's Paw.”

Mr. White took the paw from his pocket and eyed it dubiously. "I don't know what to wish for, and that's a fact," he said, slowly. "It seems to me I've got all I want."

"If you only cleared the house, you'd be quite happy, wouldn't you?" said Herbert, with his hand on his shoulder. "Well, wish for two hundred pounds, then; that'll just do it."

His father, smiling shamefacedly at his own credulity, held up the talisman, as his son, with a solemn face, somewhat marred by a wink at his mother, sat down at the piano and struck a few impressive chords.

"I wish for two hundred pounds," said the old man distinctly.

A fine crash from the piano greeted the words, interrupted by a shuddering cry from the old man. His wife and son ran toward him.


Which phrase indicates a change in mood within the excerpt?


a) “struck a few impressive chords”

b) “smiling shamefacedly at his own credulity”

c) “a fine crash from the piano”

d) “interrupted by a shuddering cry”

Edit: The answer is D, I got a 100% on the Quiz

Answer 1

D

Step-by-step explanation:

Thanks for the points man!

Answer 2

I know you edited the question and provided the answer already. But I would like to offer further explanation about it.

Answer:

The phrase that indicates a change in mood within the excerpt is:

d) “interrupted by a shuddering cry”

Step-by-step explanation:

Mood can be defined as the atmosphere an author creates that involves readers. Usually, word choice and description of the setting, as well as imagery, help produce a certain mood. Readers present an emotional response to the atmosphere - happiness, tranquility, fear etc.

In the excerpt of "Monkey's Paw" we are analyzing here, the initial mood is of incredulity, doubt. The father cannot believe the talisman can actually change his life or grant his wish. That mood persists even as the man sits down at the piano and, most likely absentmindedly, plays some chords. It changes, however, when he utters "a shuddering cry". Readers now know something incredible has happened - and they can predict the talisman worked. The mood is changed from this moment on, no longer conveying doubt, but conveying wonder instead.