The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs
Play Synopsis: The Whites and their son, Herbert, receive a visit from Sergeant Major Morris, who has spent years in India. At Mr. White's urging, Morris shows them a monkey's paw and claims that it has the power to grant three wishes. Morris has had his three wishes and implies that they have harmed him. The Whites treat the matter as a joke but ask if they can have the paw. Reluctantly, Morris gives it to them. After supper, Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds.
The next day, Mr. and Mrs. White are notified that Herbert has been killed in an accident at work. His company offers them 200 pounds as compensation. Mrs. White, heartbroken, urge her husband to use the monkey's paw to wish Herbert alive again. Mr. White objects, terrified of what might happen, but gives in. That night, they hear an insistent knocking at the door. Mrs. White, certain that Herbert has returned from the dead, runs to let him in. Before she can open the door, however, Mr. White makes the third wish. When the door opens, no one is there.
The next day, Mr. and Mrs. White are notified that Herbert has been killed in an accident at work. His company offers them 200 pounds as compensation. Mrs. White, heartbroken, urge her husband to use the monkey's paw to wish Herbert alive again. Mr. White objects, terrified of what might happen, but gives in. That night, they hear an insistent knocking at the door. Mrs. White, certain that Herbert has returned from the dead, runs to let him in. Before she can open the door, however, Mr. White makes the third wish. When the door opens, no one is there.
Common Core Standards
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Goals and ObjectivesStudents will...
1. Read the play and be assigned characters. 2. Identify examples of theme or central idea based on the text, and other modern interpretations of Monkey's Paw, such as watching The Simpson's Halloween episode via discussion. 3. Make predictions based on character development and situations that arise in the story, as well as with pictures, images, and background knowledge while checking for comprehension. 4. Identify examples of suspense and analyze how it contributes to a story. Then, apply knowledge via reenactment assessment. |
Materials - Click One |