Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the story, and support their choices with details from the text.
Despite Morris’ objections and warnings, Mr. White is determined to try to change something about his life, rather than being satisfied with all that he already has. According to Morris, the old fakir who bewitched the paw, “wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow.” The twisted irony of the paw is that it does, in fact, grant the wish; however, because magic interferes with the way things are supposed to be, the wishes are granted at a serious price.
Mr. White isn’t exactly greedy in his wish for £200; it’s more something he would like to have, and it’s a wish that seems sensible. It’s more of a test to satisfy his own curiosity than anything else. However, this curiosity leads to deadly consequences for Herbert, and absolute sorrow for Mr. and Mrs. White. Sometimes, questions are best left to be wondered about, rather than pursued.
The monkey's paw is an opportunity for the Whites to seize any possibility in the universe, and to satisfy their curiosity. However, it is also a way to interfere with fate, and because of this, they are severely punished. Fate is something that cannot be changed, and when the Whites attempt to change it with the paw, fate finds a way to set things right.
The cold wind is a constant throughout the story. It his howling as the Whites await Morris, who is the harbinger of the paw and their subsequent bad luck. It howls as the next visitor arrives, delivering news of Herbert’s death. Finally, the cold wind surrounds the house as the Herbert’s corpse reanimates and attempts to get into the house. The wind is a foreshadowing of bad luck, and a warning to the Whites as they interfere with fate.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in “The Monkey’s Paw”. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Begin by posing open-ended questions about fate and consequences to your students. Encourage them to think critically about how the characters' choices impact the story's outcome. This approach helps build analytical skills while allowing students to share their interpretations.
Ask students to relate the themes of fate and consequences to their own lives or current events. This makes the story more relevant and engaging, deepening their understanding of the text.
Guide students to cite specific examples from the story when making points during discussion. This practice reinforces close reading skills and helps students ground their ideas in the text.
Set clear expectations for listening respectfully and considering different viewpoints. Encourage students to respond thoughtfully to each other's ideas, fostering a supportive classroom environment.
End the discussion by having students write a short reflection on what they learned about fate and consequences. This helps solidify understanding and provides valuable insight into students' thinking.
'The Monkey's Paw' explores key themes such as the consequences of interfering with fate, the dangers of unchecked curiosity, and the price of wish fulfillment. Each theme is illustrated through the White family's experiences with the magical paw, emphasizing that attempting to control destiny can lead to tragic outcomes.
Important symbols in 'The Monkey's Paw' include the monkey's paw itself, representing the dangers of tampering with fate, and the cold wind, which foreshadows misfortune and signals the presence of supernatural events. These symbols help reinforce the story's dark, cautionary message.
Use a storyboard activity where students identify and illustrate themes and symbols from the story. Have them provide textual evidence and short descriptions for each example. This visual approach helps students engage with and remember key concepts.
The story warns that interfering with fate or trying to change one's destiny can bring unintended and often tragic consequences. It also illustrates the importance of being careful about what you wish for, as desires may come at a high price.
Curiosity drives Mr. White to make wishes despite warnings. The story shows that pursuing answers or experiences without considering the risks can lead to irreversible tragedy, as seen in Herbert's fate and the family's sorrow.