Mrs. White’s Journey Through Grief

The Monkey's Paw

This thread follows Mrs. White from domestic affection through bereavement into a desperate hope for her son’s return.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Soothing Presence A Soothing Presence from "The Monkey's Paw". A Soothing Presence Familiar Care Mrs. White reassures Mr. White after his chess mistake and watches the playful exchange between father and son.

A Soothing Presence from "The Monkey's Paw". A Soothing Presence Familiar Care Mrs. White reassures Mr. White after his chess mistake and watches the playful exchange between father and son.

A Soothing Presence Familiar Care Mrs. White reassures Mr. White after his chess mistake and watches the playful exchange between father and son. Her role initially centers on the rhythms of family life. Lighthearted Curiosity She joins the household’s reaction to Morris’s account, treating the paw as a strange story rather than an immediate threat.

The First Wish Dismissed The First Wish Dismissed from "The Monkey's Paw". The First Wish Dismissed Confidence in the Ordinary Mrs. White jokes about the family’s belief in wishes and sees no evidence that the paw worked.

The First Wish Dismissed from "The Monkey's Paw". The First Wish Dismissed Confidence in the Ordinary Mrs. White jokes about the family’s belief in wishes and sees no evidence that the paw worked.

The First Wish Dismissed Confidence in the Ordinary Mrs. White jokes about the family’s belief in wishes and sees no evidence that the paw worked. Her confidence helps keep the household’s fear at bay. A Hopeful Interpretation Later, when the company representative approaches, she briefly links the visitor’s fine clothes with the imagined money. Her hope makes the coming news more painful.

The Loss Announced The Loss Announced from "The Monkey's Paw". The Loss Announced A Mother’s Question Mrs. White immediately fears that something has happened to Herbert when the representative arrives.

The Loss Announced from "The Monkey's Paw". The Loss Announced A Mother’s Question Mrs. White immediately fears that something has happened to Herbert when the representative arrives.

The Loss Announced A Mother’s Question Mrs. White immediately fears that something has happened to Herbert when the representative arrives. She asks whether he is hurt and grasps at his reassurance. Grief Confirmed When she understands the meaning of “no pain,” the news overwhelms her. Her response marks the end of the household’s ordinary hope.

Hope for Revival Hope for Revival from "The Monkey's Paw". Hope for Revival A Sudden Idea Awakening at night, Mrs. White remembers that two wishes remain. She urges Mr. White to use one to bring Herbert back.

Hope for Revival from "The Monkey's Paw". Hope for Revival A Sudden Idea Awakening at night, Mrs. White remembers that two wishes remain. She urges Mr. White to use one to bring Herbert back.

Hope for Revival A Sudden Idea Awakening at night, Mrs. White remembers that two wishes remain. She urges Mr. White to use one to bring Herbert back. Grief as Resolve She refuses to accept her husband’s fear about the condition of Herbert’s body. Her determination is an expression of maternal love, but it exposes her to a terrifying possibility.

At the Front Door At the Front Door from "The Monkey's Paw". At the Front Door Recognition and Urgency Mrs. White hears the knocking and insists that Herbert has returned. She struggles against Mr.

At the Front Door from "The Monkey's Paw". At the Front Door Recognition and Urgency Mrs. White hears the knocking and insists that Herbert has returned. She struggles against Mr.

At the Front Door Recognition and Urgency Mrs. White hears the knocking and insists that Herbert has returned. She struggles against Mr. White to reach the door and undo its bolts. Hope Ends in Absence After the last wish, she opens the door to an empty road and cries out in disappointment. Her hope has brought her to the threshold, but not to reunion.

early in the story, during the chess game

the morning after Mr. White’s wish

the day after Herbert leaves for work

about ten days after Herbert’s burial

near the ending, as the knocks intensify