The Workplace Behind the Wish

The Monkey's Paw

This thread traces Herbert’s employment at Maw and Meggins from an ordinary background fact to the setting of the fatal fulfillment.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Working Son A Working Son from "The Monkey's Paw". A Working Son Family Routine Herbert jokes with his parents and proposes a sum that would help clear the house.

A Working Son from "The Monkey's Paw". A Working Son Family Routine Herbert jokes with his parents and proposes a sum that would help clear the house.

A Working Son Family Routine Herbert jokes with his parents and proposes a sum that would help clear the house. His employment is part of the ordinary working life surrounding the family’s hopes. The Cost of Comfort The wish’s practical purpose is connected to the family’s finances, but the means by which it will be fulfilled remain unknown to them.

A Departure in Daylight A Departure in Daylight from "The Monkey's Paw". A Departure in Daylight Herbert Goes Out Herbert leaves after joking that the wished-for money could fall from the sky.

A Departure in Daylight from "The Monkey's Paw". A Departure in Daylight Herbert Goes Out Herbert leaves after joking that the wished-for money could fall from the sky.

A Departure in Daylight Herbert Goes Out Herbert leaves after joking that the wished-for money could fall from the sky. His teasing shows how little he believes the paw matters. Ordinary Life Continues His departure makes the later accident more devastating: nothing in his manner signals that he knows he is in danger.

The Factory Accident The Factory Accident from "The Monkey's Paw". The Factory Accident Machinery at Work The representative reports that Herbert was caught in machinery at Maw and Meggins.

The Factory Accident from "The Monkey's Paw". The Factory Accident Machinery at Work The representative reports that Herbert was caught in machinery at Maw and Meggins.

The Factory Accident Machinery at Work The representative reports that Herbert was caught in machinery at Maw and Meggins. The brief account gives no dramatic warning or opportunity for rescue. A Workplace Loss Herbert’s death arises from the ordinary industrial environment of his employment. That natural-seeming cause makes the wish’s fulfillment especially cruel.

The Company’s Message The Company’s Message from "The Monkey's Paw". The Company’s Message Sympathy and Distance The representative offers the company’s sympathy while stressing that he is only obeying orders.

The Company’s Message from "The Monkey's Paw". The Company’s Message Sympathy and Distance The representative offers the company’s sympathy while stressing that he is only obeying orders.

The Company’s Message Sympathy and Distance The representative offers the company’s sympathy while stressing that he is only obeying orders. His careful language keeps the institution at a distance from the bereaved parents. No Liability Maw and Meggins denies responsibility. Its formal position contrasts with the intimate devastation inside the White household.

Service Measured in Money Service Measured in Money from "The Monkey's Paw". Service Measured in Money Compensation Offered The company offers two hundred pounds in consideration of Herbert’s service.

Service Measured in Money from "The Monkey's Paw". Service Measured in Money Compensation Offered The company offers two hundred pounds in consideration of Herbert’s service.

Service Measured in Money Compensation Offered The company offers two hundred pounds in consideration of Herbert’s service. A son’s life is converted into a sum that happens to match the wish. An Empty Exchange The payment completes the financial request but cannot repair the loss. The transaction leaves Mr. White and Mrs. White with money that signifies only tragedy.

the first evening, before Herbert leaves for work

the morning after the first wish

the following day, before the company representative arrives

the afternoon the representative visits

immediately after the company denies liability