The Monkey’s Paw Study Guide
Directions: Using your knowledge of the story and your textbook, answer the following questions in
complete sentences.
1. Why did Mr. White says that he didn’t think his visitor would be coming?
2. Describe what the family life is like in the White’s home at the beginning of the story.
3. Based on Morris’s reactions and explanation of the wishes that the monkey’s paw could grant, what
could you infer was his personal experience with the paw and its wishes?
4. How many people can use the monkey’s Paw?
5. What type of conflict is shown in the following section?
“If you could have another three wishes,” said the old man, eyeing him keenly, “would you have
them?”
“I don’t know,” said the other. “I don’t know.
6. What is one piece of advice that Morris gives to the Whites about the paw?
7. Give two comments that Sergeant Major Morris made in the story that foreshadowed what was to
come.
8. What is Mr. White’s first wish on the paw?
9. What line from the first section of the story foreshadowed what would happen to Herbert?
10. What is the mood in the story when the Whites stop speaking to each other after Herbert’s death?
11. What character detail about Mrs. White would help you predict what her second wish will be?
12. What is Mr. White’s second wish on the paw?
13. What is Mr. White’s third wish on the paw?
14. What is the result of the third wish?
15. What is the climax of this story?
16. What is the mood of the story in its resolution?
17. The phrase “Be happy with what you have” is an example of what literary term?
18. If you believed in fate how would you act in life?
19. The phrase “Sounds like Arabian Nights,” said Mrs. White, is an example of what literary device?
20. Is the following passage an example of irony? If yes, what type and why. If no, why not?
“I expect you’ll find the cash tied up in a big bag in the middle of your bed,” said Hebert, as he
bid them goodnight, “and something horrible squatting on top of the wardrobe.”