The Theme of Fate in W. W. Jacobs' Story The Monkey's Paw

In the story 'The Monkey's Paw' W.W Jacobs uses the characters and situation in order to show the theme of fate. In the story fate played an important role. In the story, the author makes the characters fear interfering with their Future. At first Mr. White denies the powers of the paw. "Well, why don't you have three sir." In this quote Mr. White is in disbelief of the paw's powers. He knew that the paw could lead into danger.

Mr. White even says 'lt seems to me I've got all I want.' He does not feel her needs the paw at first. After Mr. Morris Throws the paw in the fire Mr. White realizes he want to have his three wishes on the paw and makes his first mistake. "I wish for two hundred pounds." Mr. White thought that two hundred pounds could make their life better. The Next morning they get the news of their son's death. The money received for the loss of their son is Two hundred pounds.

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If they had just not wished for the money their son would not have been killed.

Mrs. White made the push for the second wish when she screamed "The paw! The monkey's paw! all Mr. White had more sense and tried to tell his wife that they were fooled the first time by the paw and they should not use the paw or something bad would happen again. adolf he was too terrible for you to see then, how now?" was Mr.

Whites reason for not wanting to wish his son back to life. To make his wife happy Mr. White decided the second wish to be to bring his son back to life.
Right after they made the wish they heard a knocking on the door.

Mr. White Knew there was no way to bring his son back to life. This was now their fate and they could not not change it. Mr. white also knew that what was knocking at their door was not their son. "You're afraid of your own son?' when his wife said this quote he made his third and final wish. 'A cold wind rushed up the staircase, and a long loud wail of disappointment and misery from his wife gave him courage to run down to her side, and then to the gate beyond. The street lamp flickering opposite shone on a quiet and deserted road.' This quote gives a clue that Mr. White had wished for his wife and son to be gone because the road was quiet and deserted which gave an impression that they were gone.

References

• SparkNotes: "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs
• SparkNotes: Themes in "The Monkey's Paw"