Name: ________________________
The Monkey’s Paw
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W.W. Jacobs
Pre-reading:
Before reading the story, please use a dictionary to define each of the following terms. Then, as you
read the story, highlight the terms as you come across them in the text.

Amiably: ___________________________________________________

Apathy: ____________________________________________________

Condoling: __________________________________________________

Credulity: ___________________________________________________

Dubiously: __________________________________________________

Fakir: _____________________________________________________

Furtively: ___________________________________________________

Perils: _____________________________________________________

Simian: ____________________________________________________

Solemn: ____________________________________________________

Talisman: ___________________________________________________

Visage: ____________________________________________________
During reading:
Pause after reading section one and answer the following questions:
1. Why does the story start off with the father and son playing chess? Does the father’s strategy
foreshadow anything about his personality? If so, what?
2. Sergeant Major Morris describes the monkey’s paw in this way: "It had a spell put on it by an
old fakir …a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those
who interfered with it did so to their sorrow.” What do you believe Morris’ statement
foreshadows in the story?
3. Why did Morris throw the monkey’s paw in the fire? Why do the Whites react so strongly to
this action?
Pause after reading section two and answer the following question:
4. When the stranger comes to the Whites’ door, what does Mrs. White think at first he has come
to do? What is the real reason for his visit?
After reading:
5. Why is Mr. White afraid to wish a second time?
6. In “The Monkey’s Paw,” many hints foreshadow future events. In the chart below, identify two
examples of foreshadowing from the story, and explain in detail the specific future events they
suggest.
Passage (quote) from the story:
a.
Future event being foreshadowed:
b.
7. “The Monkey’s Paw” comes to a disturbing end. Answer the following questions about the
ending and support your main points with details from the story.
a. What does the father understand that the mother does not?
b. What do you believe Mr. White wishes for as his third wish?
c. How would the ending be different had Mrs. White opened the door before Mr. White
made his third wish?
d. Why were you surprised or not surprised by the story’s conclusion?