The White Family In The Monkey's Paw By W. Jacobs

“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs
In W.W. Jacobs’ short story, “The Monkey’s Paw,” the White family is paid a visit by their acquaintance Sergeant Major Morris, who had came from India with an interesting talisman called the Monkey’s Paw. Sergeant Major Morris explains and warns the White family of the power of the Monkey’s Paw, but ends up giving it to Mr. White because he asks for it. Although warned, the White family uses the Monkey’s Paw to wish for something. The story only ends with Mr. White learning the theme, “Be careful what you wish for, you may receive it.” (Jacobs)
The protagonist of the story is Mr. White. In the beginning, Mr. White seems greedy because he complained about where their family live and begged Sergeant Major Morris to give him the Monkey’s Paw. When he had the Monkey’s Paw, he had no idea what to wish for, saying, “It seems to me I’ve got all I want.” (Jacobs) It made him seem less selfish after he insisted to take the talisman off Sergeant Major Morris. But Mr. White still wishes for something, just to test out if the talisman actually works. That wish only
Although his character was written in a small part of the story, he plays an important role. He was the White family’s voice of reasoning and warning. Sergeant Major Morris talked to them of his experience with the Monkey’s Paw and what happened to the first man who had it. The author uses a bit of imagery, describing to the readers how Sergeant Major Morris’ “blotchy face whitened” when he replies to Herbert about getting his three wishes. That use of imagery shows how nothing good came from his wishing on the Monkey’s Paw. He also said to Mr. White when he saves the talisman from the fire “if you keep it, don’t blame me for what happens.” (Jacobs) Because Mr. White was very persistent on keeping the Monkey’s Paw, Sergeant Major Morris knew it would be hard for him to change his mind, even with all his