"The Monkey's Paw" Literary Elements

"The Monkey's Paw" Literary Elements

a Journey through the Short Story

Allusions

An allusion is a type of figurative language that references another story, work of art, or historic event. Allusions add a level of meaning to a text by connecting two similar ideas or situations that span across different narratives and impose that association or comparison on another text.

Look at the following picture. Identify the allusion in the image.

Irony

There are 3 types of irony with which we will be concerned:

Dramatic irony--the reader understands more about the events of a story than a character does.

Situational irony--what actually occurs is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate.

Verbal irony--a character says one thing but really means the opposite.

To whom is the illustration referring?

Identify 3 examples of irony in the story.

What is the cartoonist satirizing in the illustration?

What type is each example you listed?

Symbol

Allusions

Explain the irony in each example.

Now connect the ideas: what is the cartoonist trying to say about parents today?

Choose one of your examples and explain how it contributes to the conflict AND theme of the story.

A symbol is a literary device authors use to attach meaning to an object in their narratives.

Now try it with this image:

Of what is the apple and the serpent in this illustration symbolic?

Who are the characters in the illustration?

Now, identify one idea that the monkey's paw may represent and explain its meaning.

The monkey's paw is a symbol for ______________ because ____________________________________.

Besides being a parody, this illustration is also an allusion. See if you know the work of art to which it is referring.

This is the painting by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

How does this painting affect the meaning of the Simpson's version?

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a literary element in which the author subtly suggests events that will happen later in the plot.

What is implied by Bart being in the position of Man in Michelangelo's "The Creation of Man"?

Identify 2 clues during the first evening of the story that hint that the paw is not necessarily a desirable gift.

Where in the text does the reader understand that Mr. White's second wish will bring a horrifying consequence?

Was the consequence of the Whites' wishes fated or coincidence? Explain.

Study both of the images.

What are some of the similar ideas presented in the images?

How does each image capture the theme of the story?

a Quick View of Short Story Elements

Allusions

Read the following excerpt from “The Monkey’s Paw”. While reading, jot notes on your paper for allusion and tone.

His father, smiling shamefacedly at his own credulity, held up the talisman, as his son, with a solemn face somewhat marred by a wink at his mother, sat down at the piano and struck a few impressive chords.

”I wish for two hundred pounds,” said the old man distinctly.

A fine crash from the piano greeted the words, interrupted by a shuddering cry from the old man. His wife and son ran toward him.

”It moved, he cried, with a glance of disgust at the object as it lay on the floor. “As I wished it twisted in my hands like a snake.”

”Well, I don't see the money,” said his son, as he picked it up and placed it on the table, “and I bet I never shall.”

“It must have been your fancy, father,” said his wife, regarding him anxiously.

He shook his head. “Never mind, though; there's no harm done, but it gave me a shock all the same.”

They sat down by the fire again while the two men finished their pipes. Outside, the wind was higher than ever, and the old man started nervously at the sound of a door banging upstairs. A silence unusual and depressing settled upon all three, which lasted until the old couple rose to retire for the night.

Characterization

Present your Character Maps to the class.

A Tragic Flaw is a character flaw that leads to the downfall of the narrative's protagonist.

How does the image above help convey the characters' traits?

Identify the allusion in this excerpt.

Which character exhibits a tragic flaw in Jacobs' narrative and what is his tragic flaw?

How does the tragic flaw contribute to Jacobs' message (or theme)?

It is also a simile--a comparison using "like" or "as" that imposes meaning on the item being compared.

Write what you know about the serpent from the story of Adam and Eve.

Now write what you know about the monkey's paw talisman.

What meaning does the allusion to the serpent impose on the monkey's paw talisman?

What does the simile comparing the paw's twisting to the serpent's movement imply about the paw and the consequences it brings?

What tone is created through the use of allusion and simile?