The Monkeys Paw Short Story by W W

The Monkey’s Paw Short Story by W. W. Jacobs Introducing the Short Story Literary Analysis: Mood Reading Skill: Identify Type of Narrator Vocabulary in Context

The Monkey’s Paw INTRODUCING THE SHORT STORY Are you SUPERSTITIOUS? Many people say they aren’t superstitious. But those same people might own a lucky charm or get nervous on Friday the 13 th.

The Monkey’s Paw INTRODUCING THE SHORT STORY Are you SUPERSTITIOUS? Usually these superstitions are harmless, but sometimes they can interfere with a person’s life. In the selection you are about to read, curiosity about the power of an unusual object brings unexpected consequences.

The Monkey’s Paw INTRODUCING THE SHORT STORY Are you SUPERSTITIOUS? DISCUSS What kind of superstitious behavior do you or people you know believe in? In a small group, brainstorm a list of common superstitions. Then discuss which you think are harmless, and which might cause problems or interfere with someone’s life. Share your findings with the class.

The Monkey’s Paw Mood is the feeling or atmosphere the writer creates for the reader. There as many moods as there are emotions—cheerful, gloomy, anxious.

The Monkey’s Paw Mood Writers create mood through • the choice of setting, including time and place • imagery—descriptions that appeal to the reader’s senses • conversations between characters As you read “The Monkey’s Paw, ” notice how the story makes you feel and which words or passages make you feel that way.

The Monkey’s Paw Identify Type of Narrator You have learned that a narrator is the voice that tells a story. A third-person narrator is not a character in the story, but, rather, an outside voice. Now you will learn that a third-person narrator may be objective or subjective.

The Monkey’s Paw Identify Type of Narrator An objective narrator reports events in a factual way, without sharing any characters’ hidden thoughts or feelings. A subjective narrator recounts events with a character’s thoughts, feelings, and observations.

The Monkey’s Paw Identify Type of Narrator As you read “The Monkey’s Paw, ” try to determine whether it is told by an objective narrator or a subjective one. Use a chart like the one shown below to record the narrator’s observations. Event Narrator’s Description

The Monkey’s Paw W. W. Jacobs (1863 -1943) Although W. W. Jacobs wrote mostly comic stories, he is best-known for his horrifying tale The Monkey’s Paw. Jacobs grew up among sailors and dock-workers on the banks of the Thames River in London where he set many of his humorous stories. As an adult, he worked as a bank clerk, a job that bored him, and he wrote in his spare time. He worked at the bank for nearly twenty years before he was able to quit and earn his living as a full-time writer. Jacobs wrote dozens of short story collections and a number of plays. The Monkey’s Paw was first published in 1902.

The Monkey’s Paw BEFORE READING Read the title and peruse the story. Make a prediction based on what you see as to what the story might be about.

The Monkey’s Paw • If you had three wishes what would they be? Write your three wishes.

The Monkey’s Paw • Trade with the person to your right You are an evil genie Grant the first wish, but be as mischievous as possible. You must grant the wish but you don’t want them to like what they get

The Monkey’s Paw • Trade with the person to your right You are an evil genie Grant the second wish, but be as mischievous as possible. You must grant the wish but you don’t want them to like what they get

The Monkey’s Paw • Get your paper back. Read how your wish was granted. Do you still want your third wish?

The Monkey’s Paw compensation n. something, such as money, received as payment credulity n. a disposition to believe too readily fate n. a power that is thought to determine the course of events grimace n. a facial expression of pain or disgust peril n. danger resignation n. acceptance of something that is inescapable