Name:___________________________________
Date:____________________________________
Advanced English Period: ______
Test date: Fri., Nov. 20, 2015
#:____
SECTION: Units
Literary Elements and “The Monkey’s Paw” Study Guide
Use your notes to complete the following study guide.
You can study this IN ADDITION TO your literary elements notes packet!
PLOT AND CHARACTERS
Directions: Fill in the blanks with the elements of plot. They must be in the correct order!
4 ___________________________________
3___________________________
5 __________________________
2 _________________________________
6_________________________
1.___________________________________
7 _______________________

You will be required to define each of the elements of plot, AND you will be required to label each plot
element. Look at page 6 in your Literary Elements Notes packet!

What is the central conflict in “The Monkey’s Paw?”

Who or what is the protagonist in the story “The Monkey’s Paw”?

Who or what is the antagonist in the story “The Monkey’s Paw?”
POINT OF VIEW

“The Monkey’s Paw” is told from which point of view?

Point of View: You must be able to read a series of passages and determine the point of view. Use your
notes to review the criteria. Practice what you know with the following excerpts below.
“Oranges” by Gary Soto
That cost a dime, I didn’t say anything. I took the nickel from my pocket, then an orange and set them quietly on
the counter. When I looked up, the lady’s eyes met mine and held them, knowing very well what it was all about.
POV: __________________________________________________
Why?__________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
“Death Coach”
She draws in a deep breath and exhales slowly. It is the Death Coach. Her husband had told her it would come for
him that night, but she hadn't believed him. Hadn't wanted to believe him. Yet there it is, rolling slowly up to the
front of the house to stop by the front gate. The sight terrifies her, and she clutches her husband's hand tightly.
He opens his eyes and smiles feebly at her, trying to squeeze her hand.
POV: __________________________________________________
Why?__________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
He himself was a very old man with shaggy white hair which grew over most of his face as well as on his head, and they
liked him almost at once. But on the first evening when he came to meet them at the front door he was so odd-looking
that Lucy (who was the youngest) was a little afraid of him, and Edmund (who was the next youngest) wanted to laugh
and had to keep on pretending he was blowing his nose to hide it.
POV: __________________________________________________
Why?__________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
LITERARY TERMS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN “THE MONKEY’S PAW”
Be able to define each of the following terms. In addition to knowing the definition to these terms, you will be
expected to apply your knowledge of them in the story “The Monkey’s Paw.”
Foreshadowing
Third-person Omniscient
Third-person limited
Characterization
Static Characters
Dynamic Characters
Mood
Tone
Point of View
First Person Point of View
Plot
Symbolism
Theme
External Conflict
Internal Conflict
How do the wishes advance the plot?
What is Mrs. White’s perspective of the pay after the first wish has been granted? How is it different from the
beginning of the story?
When does Mr. White believe in the power of the paw?
If the story was told from Mr. White’s point of view, how would the story be different?
What theme is best developed by the central conflict?
Why does the mood in the story changes from peaceful and lighthearted to ominous and depressing?
The central conflict of the story had the biggest effect on which character? Why?
Is the setting in the story significant? Why or Why not?
Who are the major characters in the story?
Who are the minor characters?
Which theme is best developed through the author’s symbolic use of the chess game?
What is ironic about Herbert’s role in the story? How is this used to develop theme?
How are the last wish made by Mr. White and the last wish made by the first man most-likely the same?
What theme best supports the author’s use of the paw as a symbol?
How does the first wish advance the plot?
How does the following excerpt develop the symbolism of the paw?
Mr. White took the paw from his pocket and eyed it dubiously. "I don't know what to wish for, and that's a fact,"
he said slowly. It seems to me I've got all I want.’
‘If you only cleared the house, you'd be quite happy, wouldn't you!" said Herbert, with his hand on his shoulder.
Well, wish for two hundred pounds, then; that'll just do it.’
"I wish for two hundred pounds," said the old man distinctly.
What is the significance of the following excerpts?
(a) “Unconscious of his wife’s shriek, the old man smiled faintly, put out his hands like a sightless man, and
dropped, a senseless heap, to the floor.”
(b) “’Hark at the wind,’ said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably
desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.”
(C) “He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. The last face was so horrible
and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. It got so vivid that, with a little uneasy laugh, he felt on the table
for a glass containing a little water to throw over it. His hand grasped the monkey's paw, and with a little shiver he
wiped his hand on his coat and went up to bed.”
(D) "’I expect you'll find the cash tied up in a big bag in the middle of your bed,’ said Herbert, as he bade them
good-night, ‘and something horrible squatting up on top of the wardrobe watching you as you pocket your illgotten gains.’"
(E) “The visitor absent-mindedly put his empty glass to his lips……. His hearers were conscious that their light
laughter jarred somewhat…..In a mental connection with the two hundred pounds, she noticed the stranger
well dressed and wore a silk hat of glossy newness.”