How Does Jacobs Use Irony In The Monkey's Paw

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One may stutter over the conception that a monkey’s paw holds the power to determine fate, rather than siding with freewill. In the short story, “The Monkey’s Paw,” an average family, located in the middle class discovers a monkey’s paw and are told that they had three wishes upon that magical, yet deceiving item. However, their decisions cost them several, unintended consequences, due to greed within the human mind. The author, W.W. Jacobs uses symbolism, foreshadowing, and irony to convey the peril of wish fulfillment and the dangers of interfering with fate. In the story, Jacobs uses symbolic images to portray greed the characters contain, convincing them to amend their providence, leading to disconsolate circumstances. For example, this …show more content…

For example, a statement recognizing the theme through situational irony is revealed when the Jacobs writes, “And even if they could, now could two hundred pounds hurt you, Father?” (177). The reader may not expect that such a minuscule amount of money could make such a prodigious impact on society. Therefore, constructing situational irony, for the reader may have predicted the money to advance their lives, not make their lives completely miserable. Nevertheless, out of the greed in coveting to alter one’s life to a better perspective often precipitates unpleasant conclusions. In addition, a statement disclosing the identical irony is endorsed when Herbert announces, “‘Well don’t break into the money before I get back,’ said Herbert, as he rose from the table. ‘I’m afraid it’ll turn you into a mean, avaricious man, and we will have to discount you,’” (177). This is ironic because they do actually uncover the money before he returns, but the fact is that he never does arrive again. Also, the main point announces that Herbert is apprehensive that the money will convert him into an uncontrollable, greedy man, when in reality, they already have all of the qualities of rapacious human beings, due to their wish in having a more improved lifestyle. All in all, the element, irony, helps propose the theme of pessimistic aftermaths, while containing narcissistic

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