The Night at the Door

The Monkey's Paw

This thread follows the second wish from fearful expectation to the knocking, the struggle at the door, and the abrupt silence.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Desperate Proposal A Desperate Proposal from "The Monkey's Paw". A Desperate Proposal The Remaining Wishes Mrs. White awakens with the idea that the paw still has wishes available. She urges Mr.

A Desperate Proposal from "The Monkey's Paw". A Desperate Proposal The Remaining Wishes Mrs. White awakens with the idea that the paw still has wishes available. She urges Mr.

A Desperate Proposal The Remaining Wishes Mrs. White awakens with the idea that the paw still has wishes available. She urges Mr. White to wish Herbert alive again. Hope Against Fear Mr. White resists, recalling that Herbert’s body was so damaged he could be identified only by his clothing. Their disagreement turns grief into immediate conflict.

The Second Wish Spoken The Second Wish Spoken from "The Monkey's Paw". The Second Wish Spoken A Reluctant Decision Mrs. White insists, and Mr. White finally wishes his son alive again.

The Second Wish Spoken from "The Monkey's Paw". The Second Wish Spoken A Reluctant Decision Mrs. White insists, and Mr. White finally wishes his son alive again.

The Second Wish Spoken A Reluctant Decision Mrs. White insists, and Mr. White finally wishes his son alive again. He describes the act as foolish and wicked even as he performs it. Waiting in Darkness The paw falls to the floor, and the couple waits through the quiet night. Mr. White feels relief when nothing appears to happen at once.

The First Knock The First Knock from "The Monkey's Paw". The First Knock A Quiet Sound Mr. White goes downstairs for a candle after hearing the house settle. A faint, stealthy knock sounds at the front door.

The First Knock from "The Monkey's Paw". The First Knock A Quiet Sound Mr. White goes downstairs for a candle after hearing the house settle. A faint, stealthy knock sounds at the front door.

The First Knock A Quiet Sound Mr. White goes downstairs for a candle after hearing the house settle. A faint, stealthy knock sounds at the front door. Recognition Begins He freezes, drops his matches, and flees back upstairs when the knock repeats. The sound transforms the earlier wish into a feared physical presence.

A Doorway Struggle A Doorway Struggle from "The Monkey's Paw". A Doorway Struggle Mrs. White Acts Mrs. White recognizes the knocks as Herbert and rushes to open the door. Mr.

A Doorway Struggle from "The Monkey's Paw". A Doorway Struggle Mrs. White Acts Mrs. White recognizes the knocks as Herbert and rushes to open the door. Mr.

A Doorway Struggle Mrs. White Acts Mrs. White recognizes the knocks as Herbert and rushes to open the door. Mr. White catches her arm, terrified of what may be outside. The Bolt and the Search She breaks free and struggles with the door’s fastenings while Mr. White searches the floor for the paw. Their opposing actions bring the crisis to its peak.

An Empty Road An Empty Road from "The Monkey's Paw". An Empty Road The Knocking Ends Mr. White makes his final wish as Mrs. White works at the door. The knocking stops, and she opens the entrance.

An Empty Road from "The Monkey's Paw". An Empty Road The Knocking Ends Mr. White makes his final wish as Mrs. White works at the door. The knocking stops, and she opens the entrance.

An Empty Road The Knocking Ends Mr. White makes his final wish as Mrs. White works at the door. The knocking stops, and she opens the entrance. Absence Instead of Return A cold wind enters, but the street is quiet and deserted. Mrs. White’s cry of disappointment confirms that Herbert is not there.

about ten days after Herbert’s burial

later that same night, before the knocking

later that night, after the household has waited in silence

moments after the knocking grows louder

at the climax, after the final wish