THE MONKEY’S PAW

By

W.W. Jacobs

WARM UP

W

hich do you believe to be true?: • I am in complete control of everything that happens to me in my

life, good or bad, and nothing is predetermined. I am the maker of my own destiny.

• Or….• The events of life are predetermined for me, and I do not have

control over what happens to me, good or bad. Everything happens for a reason, and I should not try to challenge my destiny.

C

hoose the statement that best reflects your opinion, and

support your answer with a specific example.

T

he specific reason for reading a

piece of literature.

I

n this case, our purpose is to

Analyze:

• The influence of setting on the mood and tone of the story,

• the motivations of characters,

• and the application of the theme to real life.

PURPOSE

VOCABULARY

Time to check your context clue activity. How many words did you define correctly??

FAKIRM

en who sell lucky charms and

perform incredible feats, such

as laying on a bed of nails or

appearing to float.**A magic

man, street performer in India.

T

o be in danger• Noun

(thing)

PERIL

A

good luck charm.N

oun

“

Before the test, Herbert took

out his talisman and wished

for an A.”

TALISMAN

AVARICIOUS

T

o be greedy.

“

He came across as a

greedy, uncaring,

avaricious person driven

by money.”

ANTIMACASSAR

A decorative cloth or covering along the top of a chair or couch.

“My grandmother had a knitted antimacassar on to top of her favorite chair on which the cat would sit.”

T

o be monkey-like or ape-like

A

djective

“

The fire had a simian look in the

flames, like a howler monkey

staring back.”

SIMIAN

ENTHRALLED

T

o be very interested in

something.

“

The three sat enthralled,

listening to the

Sergeant Major’s story

eagerly.”

A

person’s destiny

N

oun (thing)

F

ate has played an important

role in the play of Romeo

and Juliet.

FATE

T

o look across the land

A

djective (helps a noun)

M

r. Hager was surveying the

land before they could start

their project.

SURVEYING

PROSAIC

When something is dull or boring.

“There was an air of prosaic wholesomeness in the room, just like every other day.”

T

o be gullible or easily fooled

N

oun (thing)

T

he girl thought she heard the dog

talk to the cat; the mother laughed

at her daughter’s credulity.

CREDULITY

AMIABLY

T

o do something in a

friendly manner.

“

Mr. White welcomed the

guest amiably, with a

smile and a handshake.”

INTERCEPT

T

o cross or get between

two things.

“

Mr. White looked up, just

in time to intercept a

knowing glance between

mother and son.”

MALIGNEDW

hen someone has been

offended.

“

The woman was quite

maligned when the

dimwitted man asked her

age. Didn’t he know you

never ask a woman her

age?”

A

n unpleasant or

disgusted look.

N

oun (thing)

S

arah bit into the octopus and

grimaced at the taste.

GRIMACE

LISTENING TO MONKEY’S PAW

M

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a

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Plot Line – Place in Chronological order

A. Mr. White makes his third wish.B. Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds, which he is then awarded through

compensation for the death of his son.C. “Someone” begins to knock on the front door.D. Sergeant Major Morris tells Mr. White to let the paw burn, but Mr.

White saves it from the fire. Morris warns him of the consequences of wishing on the paw.

E. On a cold, wet night, Mr. White and Herbert play chess while Mrs. White knits by the fire.

F. The knocking ceases.G. Mrs. White runs to the door and tries to open it. She cries for Mr. White

to help her with the bolt.H. With a pale face, Sergeant Major Morris tells Herbert that he has had his

three wishes on the paw granted.I. Mrs. White begs for Mr. White to wish for Herbert to be alive again.J. Mrs. White opens the door and lets out a long wail of disappointment.

F. Mr. White makes his third wish.G. Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds, which he is then awarded through compensation for the death of his son.H. “Someone” begins to knock on the front door.I. Sergeant Major Morris tells Mr. White to let the paw burn, but Mr. White saves it from the fire. Morris warns him of the consequences of wishing on the paw.J. On a cold, wet night, Mr. White and Herbert play chess while Mrs. White knits by the fire.

Literary Element Practice:Provide an example from the Story For each

If there isn’t an

example in the story, explain how one could be added to the story.