Hope, Return, and Refusal

The Monkey's Paw

This thread charts how the hope of reunion grows after bereavement and collides with fear when the apparent return reaches the door.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A House Waiting A House Waiting from "The Monkey's Paw". A House Waiting Expectation After Loss Mr. White and Mrs. White initially remain expectant, as if something might still lighten their grief.

A House Waiting from "The Monkey's Paw". A House Waiting Expectation After Loss Mr. White and Mrs. White initially remain expectant, as if something might still lighten their grief.

A House Waiting Expectation After Loss Mr. White and Mrs. White initially remain expectant, as if something might still lighten their grief. Their hope has no clear object until Mrs. White remembers the remaining wishes. Resignation Approaches As the days pass, expectation gives way to weary silence. The sudden idea of reversal emerges from an otherwise bleak period.

The Mother’s Proposal The Mother’s Proposal from "The Monkey's Paw". The Mother’s Proposal A New Possibility Mrs. White wakes and calls for The monkey’s paw. She sees the unused wishes as a chance to undo the death.

The Mother’s Proposal from "The Monkey's Paw". The Mother’s Proposal A New Possibility Mrs. White wakes and calls for The monkey’s paw. She sees the unused wishes as a chance to undo the death.

The Mother’s Proposal A New Possibility Mrs. White wakes and calls for The monkey’s paw. She sees the unused wishes as a chance to undo the death. Her Husband’s Alarm Mr. White objects that she is mad and fears the physical reality of Herbert’s remains. Hope and dread immediately pull the parents in opposite directions.

The Wish for Life The Wish for Life from "The Monkey's Paw". The Wish for Life A Request Made Under pressure, Mr. White wishes his son alive again. The words turn the parents’ disagreement into an uncertain act.

The Wish for Life from "The Monkey's Paw". The Wish for Life A Request Made Under pressure, Mr. White wishes his son alive again. The words turn the parents’ disagreement into an uncertain act.

The Wish for Life A Request Made Under pressure, Mr. White wishes his son alive again. The words turn the parents’ disagreement into an uncertain act. Waiting for Fulfillment Nothing happens immediately. Mrs. White watches the window while Mr. White tries to find relief in the apparent failure of the wish.

The Return Believed The Return Believed from "The Monkey's Paw". The Return Believed Mrs. White Recognizes Herbert The knocking makes Mrs. White believe her son has come back.

The Return Believed from "The Monkey's Paw". The Return Believed Mrs. White Recognizes Herbert The knocking makes Mrs. White believe her son has come back.

The Return Believed Mrs. White Recognizes Herbert The knocking makes Mrs. White believe her son has come back. She rushes toward the front door and calls to him. Mr. White Refuses Mr. White pleads with her not to let the visitor in. His fear centers on what the second wish may have brought back rather than on whether the knocks are real.

Reunion Denied Reunion Denied from "The Monkey's Paw". Reunion Denied The Door Opens The knocking has stopped, and Mrs. White reaches the doorway. The road beyond is quiet and empty.

Reunion Denied from "The Monkey's Paw". Reunion Denied The Door Opens The knocking has stopped, and Mrs. White reaches the doorway. The road beyond is quiet and empty.

Reunion Denied The Door Opens The knocking has stopped, and Mrs. White reaches the doorway. The road beyond is quiet and empty. Hope’s Final Reversal Her cry of disappointment reveals that she wanted Herbert, while Mr. White has chosen to prevent the feared encounter. Neither grief nor love is resolved by the empty street.

the days after Herbert’s burial

about a week after the burial, during the night

later that night, before the first knock

later that night, when the knocking begins

at the ending, after the last wish