Scene – 1
Q1. Describe the weather and its influence on the theme.
The story starts on a dark, rainy night with thunder and heavy rain. The bad weather creates tension and makes us feel something bad may happen. Jacobs shows the Whites’ home as a safe and warm place compared to the dangerous outside world. The stormy weather reminds us of the theme: wanting more than enough can lead to disaster, as it happens with the White family.
Q2. What was special about the monkey’s paw?
A holy man had put a spell on the monkey’s paw. Because of this, each owner could make three wishes, and they would come true.
Q3. How did the first owner of the monkey’s paw use it?
The first owner had three wishes. We don’t know what the first two were, but his third wish was for death.
Q4. Why couldn’t Morris sell the monkey’s paw?
Morris couldn’t sell it because it had already caused much harm. Some people thought it was just a silly story, while others wanted to try it first and then pay.
Q5. How did the Whites get the monkey’s paw?
Sergeant Major Morris had the paw. He threw it into the fire, but Mr. White quickly pulled it out. Later, Mr. White bought it from him.
Q6. How does Morris describe the monkey’s paw?
Morris says that the paw is very dangerous. Because of the spell, anyone who owns it can make three wishes. But no one can have more than three.
Q7. What did Morris say about how to use the monkey’s paw? What was his warning to the Whites?
He told Mr. White to hold the paw in his right hand and say the wish aloud. He warned them that the results of the wishes would not be good, and they would regret it.
Q8. What were the things mentioned by Sergeant Major that hinted at the Whites’ fate?
Morris warned Mr. White to throw the paw back into the fire and not use it. He also told them to be careful and wish only for sensible things. These warnings showed that trouble was coming for the Whites.
Q9. What was the first wish? How was it made?
The first wish was for two hundred pounds. Mr. White made the wish while Herbert jokingly tapped his fingers on the table like a drumroll.
Q10. Compare Mr. White’s and Herbert’s attitudes toward the monkey’s paw. Why was it logical that Herbert would be the victim of the first wish?
At first, Mr. White didn’t take the paw seriously, but he still tried it out of curiosity. Herbert thought all the stories about it were jokes. He even laughed at it and told his father to wish for silly things. Herbert also joked that he would never see the money if they got it. In the end, his words came true, so it made sense that he became the victim of the first wish.
Scene – 2
Q11. What was the effect of the first wish?
The wish came true, but in a sad way. The next day, Herbert died in a factory accident, and his body was badly injured. The company gave the Whites two hundred pounds as compensation. So the wish was fulfilled, but they lost their son.
Scene – 3
Q12. Why didn’t Mr. White want to make the second wish?
Mrs. White wanted her husband to wish Herbert back to life. But Mr. White was afraid, because Herbert’s body was badly mutilated. He thought it would be dangerous and terrible to bring him back.
Q13. “Bring him back! Do you think I would fear my own son?” Why does Mrs. White say so?
Mrs. White says this because she is heartbroken and desperate to see her son again. Her grief makes her ignore the danger and think only about getting her boy back.
Q14. What was the final wish?
The last wish was to stop the knocking at their door. Mr. White believed it was Herbert’s ghost or a horrible version of him, so he wished it to go away.
Q15. Did the Whites get what they really wanted? Give reasons for your answer.
No, the Whites did not get what they really wanted. They wished for money and got it, but lost their son. Their life became full of sadness, and their happiness was destroyed.
Q16. What role did the author want the monkey’s paw to play here?
The author wanted the monkey’s paw to show how dangerous human greed can be. Even a small, silly wish can lead to bigger and worse desires.
Q17. What did the holy man want to prove to people by putting the spell on the paw?
The holy man wanted to teach people a lesson. The paw showed that greed and wishing for more than you need can lead to unhappiness.
Q18. In your opinion, did the holy man make his point? Why or why not?
Yes, he made his point. The Whites’ story shows that greed only brings pain. Every time they wished, the results were tragic. Herbert’s death and the knocking at the door prove the holy man’s warning.