Meredith

April 11, 2024

The main idea of the Monkey’s Paw is fate is predetermined and changing it could have
consequences. Mr White gets a monkey’s paw from an old soldier. Throughout the story Mr. White makes
wishes on a monkey’s paw. He tried to change his family's fate by making wishes. Each wish had a
consequence.

“He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives” (Jacobs, p.g. 2) An old fakir put a spell on a
monkey’s paw which allowed three separate people to make three wishes. The fakir wanted to show people
changing fate had consequences. Each wish made was changing fate, so each wish had a consequence.

“Better let it burn”(p.g. 3). The old soldier threw the monkey’s paw into the fire. Mr. White still
wanted the monkey’s paw. The old soldier told Mr. White to not blame him for what happens.

“And he pressed me again to throw it away” (p.g. 4). Mr White was determined to get the
monkey’s paw from the old soldier. He even made a deal with the old soldier. The old soldier tried to warn
Mr White about the monkey’s paw, but his attempts were futile.

“I wish for two hundred pounds” (p.g. 4). Mr. white wished for money. Instead of getting more
money, a piano came crashing in. The piano probably weighed about two hundred pounds.

“I wish my son alive again”(p.g. 8). The talisman made a wish on the monkey’s paw. His son came
back from the dead. Everyone was terrified of the talisman’s son.

“If you can’t change your fate, change your attitude” - Charles Revson. Fate cannot be changed.
Your attitude can be changed to more positive. If you have a positive attitude you might not think about
trying to change your fate. A positive attitude does not have consequences like trying to change fate.

Life changes by Thomas Rhett. The song relates to the story because you can’t stop fate. You also
never know what will happen next. At the end of the day you have to remember life changes and there’s
nothing you can do about it.