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

Unlimited wishes sounds amazing, but the White Family in “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, learn what terrible things can happen when I wish is casted. One night the White Family was given an ornament, an ornament that resembles a monkey’s paw. Sargeant-Major Morris, the man who gifts the Whites the monkey’s paw, explains the magic of the paw in detail.
“… a very holy man. He wanted to show fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow. He put a spell on it so that three separate men could each have three wishes from it.”(W.W. Jacobs 2)
Throughout the story it displays the wishes the family makes and the consequences that come with them. As the story concludes it ends up with the wishes tearing their family apart. This comes to show that you might be better with what you have, instead of taking something out of greed and selfishness.

Throughout “The Monkey’s Paw” the White family is faced with many tough decisions that lead to fatal consequences, but when the story begins the whole White family makes a decision that changes the whole outcome of the story.

This decision came about in the beginning of “The Monkey’s Paw” whenever the family decides to take the monkey’s paw.
“He took the paw, and dangling it between his forefinger and thumb, suddenly threw it upon the fire. White, with a slight cry, stooped down and snatched it off. “Better let it burn,” said the soldier solemnly. “If you don’t want it Morris,” said the other, “give it to me.” ”I won’t” said the friend doggedly. “I threw it in the fire. If you keep it, don’t blame me for what happens. Pitch it on a fire like a sensible man” (W.W. Jacobs

2-3)
This shows how even when warned about the paw they still couldn’t resist the urge to snatch it from the fire. Sargeant-Major Morris warned tossed the paw onto the fire, but the family’s greed overwhelmed them, and the consequences became fatal. Once the White family took the paw they began to learn the mistake they had made. It began as they made their first wish requesting 200 pounds. Although their wish was granted it came at the cost of their son’s life as they discover that he had died and were paid 200 pounds for his lose. Since the White family took the paw and wished they discover the twist the paw brings with each wish Mourning from the loss of their son they wish him back to life, and as a knocking is heard on the door Mrs. White rushes down in hope of the return for their son, but Mr. White insists it nothing and at the last moment wishes his final wish, and the knocking ceased because no one was there. Based on the second wish the Whites are forced to waste the third wish to resume their life as it was. The White family made their decisions based on greed and selfishness. Once they heard about the powers of the paw an opportunity arose where they could get whatever they wanted and that initial idea stayed until they were too late and lost everything.
Based on the ending of the story the true meaning of the paw is shown.
“But her husband was on his hands and knees groping wildly on the floor in search of the paw. If only he could find it before the thing inside got in. ... He heard the creaking of the bolt as it came slowly back, and at the same moment he found the monkey’s paw, and frantically his breathed third and final wish.”(W.W. Jacobs 7)
Throughout the story the monkey’s paw brings pain and grief to the White family. The consequences bring to much pain for the paw to be worthwhile. The decision to take the monkeys paw ultimately does grant you three wishes which seems great, but the consequences that it comes with can be painful or even fatal. The decision to take the paw was not considered properly and was a mistake as it ends with the family grieving for all that they lost.
Mr. White decision was in fact a mistake because, as the story ends his life is worse than it begins, but it’s hard to fight greed and the feeling you have when greed wants to control. Most people would have the ideology as they would be granted wishes without no consequences. Having no recollection or vague warnings of the misfortune the paw is bound to bring would lead to a tough decision as the warnings of the paw haven’t been clearly stated. Learning of something as magical as a paw that grants wishes would be a miraculous gift as someone could obtain what they desire, but not knowing of the curse it brings may bring pain and anger upon hearts of the unfortunate. Mr. White doesn’t know the curse the paw brings all he knows is Sargeant-Major Morris’s experience wasn’t pleasant.
“If you could have another three wishes,” said the old man, eyeing him keenly, “would you have them?” “I don’t know,” said the other, “I don’t know.”… suddenly threw it upon the fire. White with a slight cry, stooped down and snatched it off.”(W.W. Jacobs 2)
Based on this passage there is a hint stating the curse of the paw, but it also shows how Mr. White grabs it anyway, and his knowledge of the magic bound to paw is limited to only a few experiences with the paw. If this context was in someone’s mind then the rewards seem to outbalance the risk providing more reason to take it.
“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs contains one of the biggest decisions through literature. The consequences end up ruining the life of a family who made the wrong decision by taking the paw. Although, not taking something that seems to only contain good things is a hard task to take on. “The Monkey’s Paw’ goes to show how greed and selfishness ruin someone’s life , and how one decision can change the outcome of one’s life. Ultimately, the decisions made in “The Monkey’s Paw” were poor unthoughtful decisions that brought around terrible consequences.