In the opening of "The Monkey's Paw," the father plays chess with the belief that the game involves "radical changes," such as those that endanger the king. This action indicates that he takes risks without deliberation or planning ahead for future moves on the part of his opponent.
This same mental attitude is exemplified further in the narrative when the sergeant visits and Mr. White asks his friend,
"What was that you started telling me the other day about a monkey's paw or something, Morris?"
"Nothing," said the soldier, hastily. "Leastways nothing worth hearing."
But, his listener presses the sergeant to tell him. Despite the trepidation of the soldier during his narration, as well as his warnings that this monkey's paw has had a spell cast upon it, and his regret over having made his wishes, Mr. White recklessly asks for the paw.
"I won't," said his friend doggedly. "I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don't blame me for what happens."
Nonetheless, Mr. White takes the paw from the fire and asks how to make a wish. Again, the sergeant warns him of the consequences, but Mr. White takes the same "unnecessary peril" that he does as he plays chess. He pulls the talisman from his pocket and he and his wife and son all laugh as the sergeant entreats Mr. White to make a sensible wish if he feels he must make one.
After the soldier departs, the Whites talk among themselves. Herbert discredits all that the sergeant has told them, saying, " we shan't make much out of it." Jokingly, he suggests that his father wish to be an emperor. Mr. White looks at the paw and says that he does not know what to wish for because "It seems to me I've got all I want." Still, when his son suggests he ask for £ 200, the amount needed to "clear the house" (pay their mortgage), the father moves in "a radical change," and makes the wish without considering what could happen that would bring them this £ 200.
No comments:
Post a Comment