Mr. White’s Changing Fate

The Monkey's Paw

This thread traces Mr. White’s movement from amused curiosity through guilt and grief to a last, desperate act.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Playful Host A Playful Host from "The Monkey's Paw". A Playful Host Ordinary Frustration Mr. White complains about the muddy road and plays chess with Herbert.

A Playful Host from "The Monkey's Paw". A Playful Host Ordinary Frustration Mr. White complains about the muddy road and plays chess with Herbert.

A Playful Host Ordinary Frustration Mr. White complains about the muddy road and plays chess with Herbert. His concerns are familiar domestic irritations rather than matters of life and death. Curiosity Opens a Door When Morris introduces The monkey’s paw, Mr. White’s interest turns the evening toward a dangerous possibility.

The Paw Rescued The Paw Rescued from "The Monkey's Paw". The Paw Rescued Defying Advice Mr. White retrieves The monkey’s paw after Morris throws it into the fire.

The Paw Rescued from "The Monkey's Paw". The Paw Rescued Defying Advice Mr. White retrieves The monkey’s paw after Morris throws it into the fire.

The Paw Rescued Defying Advice Mr. White retrieves The monkey’s paw after Morris throws it into the fire. He prefers to explore its power rather than accept the warning. Responsibility Accepted Morris cautions him about the consequences. Mr. White’s choice becomes the first step toward the burden he later carries.

A Wish Made Lightly A Wish Made Lightly from "The Monkey's Paw". A Wish Made Lightly A Small Request Mr. White wishes for two hundred pounds, encouraged by Herbert’s joking suggestion.

A Wish Made Lightly from "The Monkey's Paw". A Wish Made Lightly A Small Request Mr. White wishes for two hundred pounds, encouraged by Herbert’s joking suggestion.

A Wish Made Lightly A Small Request Mr. White wishes for two hundred pounds, encouraged by Herbert’s joking suggestion. The request appears manageable and harmless. A First Shock He reports that the paw moved in his hand. Though the family dismisses his alarm, he is left with a sense that his act may have mattered.

The Messenger’s Sum The Messenger’s Sum from "The Monkey's Paw". The Messenger’s Sum News of Herbert Mr. White hears that Herbert died in a machinery accident. The loss overwhelms his ability to respond at first.

The Messenger’s Sum from "The Monkey's Paw". The Messenger’s Sum News of Herbert Mr. White hears that Herbert died in a machinery accident. The loss overwhelms his ability to respond at first.

The Messenger’s Sum News of Herbert Mr. White hears that Herbert died in a machinery accident. The loss overwhelms his ability to respond at first. A Personal Connection When the representative names the compensation as two hundred pounds, Mr. White recognizes the terrible fulfillment. He collapses under the knowledge that the wish and the loss are joined.

A Final Attempt A Final Attempt from "The Monkey's Paw". A Final Attempt Searching for Control Mr. White tries to restrain Mrs. White and then searches frantically for the paw.

A Final Attempt from "The Monkey's Paw". A Final Attempt Searching for Control Mr. White tries to restrain Mrs. White and then searches frantically for the paw.

A Final Attempt Searching for Control Mr. White tries to restrain Mrs. White and then searches frantically for the paw. His terror comes from imagining Herbert’s damaged body at the door. The Last Wish He makes the final wish, and the knocking ceases. His action saves his wife from opening the door to the feared return, but cannot undo their bereavement.

early in the story, before Morris tells the paw’s history

near the end of Morris’s visit

late on the first evening

the day after the wish

near the ending, during the loud knocking