The Monkey's Paw / The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 2.

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

12122

Title

The Monkey's Paw / The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 2.

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

W. W. Jacobs presents a chilling tale of unintended consequences in this classic horror story. A mysterious monkey's paw, imbued with a dark magic by an Indian fakir, grants three wishes to its owner. However, each wish is twisted by fate to bring misery rather than joy, exploring the dangers of interfering with destiny and the terrifying cost of human greed.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the isolated and gloomy Laburnam Villa, W. W. Jacobs' "The Monkey's Paw" explores the terrifying consequences of interfering with fate. The story centers on Mr. White, his wife, and their son, Herbert, who are visited by Sergeant-Major Morris. Morris brings a dried monkey's paw, a cursed object from India that grants three wishes to each of three separate men, warning that those who tamper with fate suffer sorrow. Despite Morris's grave warnings, the Whites are tempted by the prospect of wealth and power. Mr. White, initially skeptical, is goaded by his son Herbert into making the first wish for two hundred pounds. The wish is instantly granted when a messenger from Herbert's factory arrives with a check for the exact amount. However, the joy is short-lived; the messenger reveals that Herbert was killed in a factory accident and left for dead. The family is left grieving their only son, yet they are financially compensated, a cruel twist that underscores the paw's malevolent nature. Weeks later, Mrs. White, driven by desperation and the hope of reuniting with her dead son, urges Mr. White to use the second wish to bring Herbert back. Terrified that the wish might return a mutilated corpse, Mr. White hesitates. As the family waits in dread, knocking sounds at the front door suggest that Herbert has returned. In a frantic final moment, Mr. White breathes his third wish to prevent the door from opening, hoping to keep the terrible reality at bay. The story concludes with the house empty and the road deserted, leaving the fate of the third wish and the nature of the returned son ambiguous and terrifying. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the belief that one can control destiny without tragic repercussions.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Local file path

data/epubs/pg12122.epub

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Categories

• Fiction
• Horror