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THE MONKEY’S PAW: VOCABULARY

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Usecontextcluestopredictthemeaningofthefollowingvocabularywords.Includetheactualdefini<on/synonymsunderneathwhenwegooveritinclass.

1.“He…spokeofstrangescenesanddoughtydeeds;ofwarsandplaguesandstrangepeoples.”

Ithinkdoughtymeans:__________________________________________________________________________________________

Actualde6inition:_________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.“Thesergeant-majorshookhands,and[took]theprofferedseatbytheDire.”

Ithinkprofferedmeans:________________________________________________________________________________________

Actualde6inition:_________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.“Hedartedroundthetable,pursuedbythemalignedMrs.White.”

Ithinkmalignedmeans:________________________________________________________________________________________

Actualde6inition:_________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.“Mr.Whitetookthepawfromhispocketandeyeditdubiously.”

Ithinkdubiouslymeans:________________________________________________________________________________________

Actualde6inition:_________________________________________________________________________________________________

5.“‘I’mafraidit’llturnyouintoamean,avariciousman.’”

Ithinkavariciousmeans:_______________________________________________________________________________________

Actualde6inition:_________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.“Hismother…wasveryhappyattheexpenseofherhusband’scredulity.”

Ithinkcredulitymeans:________________________________________________________________________________________

Actualde6inition:_________________________________________________________________________________________________

7.“Theoldwomancamesilentlyandapatheticallybesidehim.”

Ithinkapatheticallymeans:___________________________________________________________________________________

Actualde6inition:________________________________________________________________________________________________

8.“Aperfectfusilladeofknocksreverberatedagainstthedoor.”

Ithinkfusilladeandreverberatedmean:__________________________________________________________

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Actualde6initions:_______________________________________________________________________________

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THE MONKEY’S PAW: QUESTIONS

1. Whatisthefirstfewindica<onsthatthemonkey’spawisnotaposi<vething?

2.Thesergeantrevealsthatthefirstmantoownthepawmadehisthirdwishfordeath.Basedon

whathappensinthisstory,whatcouldyouinferabouthisfirsttwowishes?

3.HowdoesW.W.JacobsbuildsuspensewhentheWhitesarewai<ngtoseeiftheirsecondwish

willcometrue?Giveexamples.

4.WhatmessagedoyouthinkthatW.W.Jacobswastryingtosendwiththisstory?Explain.

5.Thesergeantsaysthat“thefakirwantedtoprovethatfateruledpeople.”Inyour

opinion,doyouthinkthatpeoplehavecompletecontrolovertheirlives,ordoesfate

some<mesplayarole?Explain.

Answerthefollowingques<onsaboutW.W.Jacobs’TheMonkey’sPaw.YourresponsesshouldbewriSenincompletesentencesandshouldincludedetailedevidencefromthetextforsupport.

© Presto Plans

THE MONKEY’S PAW: QUESTIONS

1. Whatisthefirstfewindica<onsthatthemonkey’spawisnotaposi<vething?

2.Thesergeantrevealsthatthefirstmantoownthepawmadehisthirdwishfordeath.Basedon

whathappensinthisstory,whatcouldyouinferabouthisfirsttwowishes?

3.HowdoesW.W.JacobsbuildsuspensewhentheWhite’sarewai<ngtoseeiftheirsecondwishwill

cometrue?Giveexamples.

4.WhatmessagedoyouthinkthatW.W.Jacobswastryingtosendwiththisstory?Explain.

5.Thesergeantsaysthat“thefakirwantedtoprovethatfateruledpeople.”Inyour

opinion,doyouthinkthatpeoplehavecompletecontrolovertheirlives,ordoesfate

some<mesplayarole?Explain.

ANSWERKEYThe very first indication that the monkey’s paw is not a positive thing is when the soldier does not want to talk about it. When the soldier eventually does talk about the paw, he also goes white and talks in a grave voice. The reader soon learns that one of the men who previously had the paw used his third wish to wish for death. It becomes the most clear that the monkey’s paw is not a positive thing when the sergeant throws the paw on the fire without notice when the White’s are showing such interest in it.

According to the sergeant, the fakir who put the spell on the monkey’s paw did so “to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow.” With this information, the reader can infer that the man’s first two wishes did not lead to his happiness, but instead ruined his life so tragically that he felt he could not live.

Jacobs builds suspense by intensifying the tension slowly and carefully as the Whites wait to see if the second wish comes true. For example, as Mr. White is looking for the paw, it says, “He heard the creaking of the bolt as it came slowly back.” This puts the reader on edge and creates an element of mystery about whether or not Mrs. White will get the door open or if Mr. White will find the paw. Jacobs also uses the dark setting and knocking of the door to build the suspense and fear about who is there. The word choices he makes (stood motionless, breath suspended, shaking tones, trembling, frantically etc.) also contributes to the suspense.

W.W. Jacobs is trying to send a cautionary message about testing fate and wishing for more than you really need. The White family are happy and healthy and truly do not need anything. They greedily wish for money, and it leads to the death of their own son. Jacobs sends the message to be happy with what you have rather than wishing for more.

Answers to this question may vary as it is opinion based, but students should articulate their opinion and provide a detailed explanation with examples.

© Presto Plans

THE MONKEY’S PAW: CHARACTERFind a passage in your reading which reveals something about the personality of each of the

characters (It Says). In the second column, explain what personality trait you think is revealed in this passage (I Say). In the final column, explain why/how you think this character trait is revealed.

It Says… I Say… And So…“Three times he paused at the

gate, and then walked on again…and then with sudden resolution flung it open and

walked up the path.”

This passage reveals that visitor is a hesitant and

nervous person. He knows he must approach the door, but faces an inner conflict.

The reader comes to learn that the visitor is nervous and hesitant because he

must break the terrible news of Herbert’s death to Mr.

and Mrs. White.

Mr. White:

Mrs. White

Herbert:

The Sergeant:

© Presto Plans

THE MONKEY’S PAW: ALTERNATE ENDING

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ImaginethatMr.Whiteisunabletolocatethemonkey’spawthatheissearchingforwhilehiswifeisaSemp<ngto

unboltthedoor.Writeanalternateendingtothestorybeginningbydescribingwhatisontheothersideofthedoor.

Heheardthecreakingoftheboltasitcameslowlyback,andhestaredatthedoorinhorrorrealizinghecould

notlocatethemonkey’spawin<me…