Question

assignment in progress (or intens read 1 402250
the monkey’s paw
w.w. jacobs • 1902
w.w. jacobs (1863-1943) was an english writer of novels and short stories, most famous for his horror story, “the monkey’s paw.” in this text, jacobs tells the story of an older couple, their adult son, and a visitor who brings them fantastic stories and a mysterious souvenir from his travels in india.
as you read, take notes on each character’s thoughts and feelings about the monkey’s paw and how they differ from one another.
1 without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour 1 of laburnam villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly. father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils 2 that it even provoked 3 comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.
“hark at 4 the wind,” said mr. white, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.
“i’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.
“check.”
“i should hardly think that he’d come to-night,” said his father, with his hand poised over the board.
“mate,” 5 replied the son.
“that’s the worst of living so far out,” bawled mr. white, with sudden and unlooked-for violence; “of all the beastly, slushy, out-of-the-way places to live in, this is the worst.

1. part a: what impact do mr. and mrs. white’s differing points of view in paragraphs 109-125 and paragraphs 133-139 have on part iii?

a. their differing points of view and resulting argument create suspense and what choice they will make and how they will respond to the knock at their door.
b. their conversation resolves their disagreement and differing points of view, and it helps the story end in a hopeful way.
c. their different points of view contribute to a lively but humorous dialogue between them and reinforces the characterization of them as a close family.
d. their different points of view about the sergeant-major emphasize the idea that visitors are threatening, which is an important theme in the story.

(image: untitled by alexas_fotos is licensed under cc0.)

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The differing points of view (Mr. and Mrs. White's) and the resulting argument create suspense about their choice and response to the knock, which fits the story's tension - building around the monkey's paw and the knock (likely their wished - for son, now a threat).
• Option B: Their conversation doesn't resolve disagreement in a hopeful way; the story is dark and suspenseful, not hopeful.
• Option C: The dialogue isn't humorous or about family closeness; it's tense and about the paw's consequences.
• Option D: The differing views aren't about the sergeant - major emphasizing visitors as threatening; the focus is on their wishes and the paw's curse.

Answer:

A. Their differing points of view and resulting argument create suspense and what choice they will make and how they will respond to the knock at their door.