The Monkey's Paw
“The Monkey’s Paw” is a classic supernatural short story written by W.W. Jacobs that was published in 1902. I created three spot illustrations and one full page illustration that correspond with specific passages within the text.
In summary, an elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. White, are given a mummified monkey’s paw that will grant the owner three wishes—wishes with extreme consequences. Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds, which would cover their final house mortgage payment.
The next day, the couple’s son, Herbert, is killed and mutilated by a machine accident while working at a factory. The factory compensates the couple for the death of their son with a payment of 200 pounds.
Ten days later, the grieving Mrs. White commands her husband to use the monkey’s paw to wish their dead son back from the grave. Mr. White does so with hesitation, as he knows Herbert’s body was mutilated and has been decomposing for over a week. The couple then go to bed.
Soon after, they hear a quiet knock at the front door downstairs. Then another one. Then a knock that sounds through the house.
Mrs. White rushes to the door to unlock it while a terrified Mr. White scrambles to find the monkey’s paw. Just as his wife unlocks the door and begins to open it, he makes his third wish.“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.”
The knocking immediately stops. When the door opens, no one is there.
“At the foot of the stairs the match went out, and he paused to strike another; and at the same moment a knock, so quiet and stealthy as to be scarcely audible, sounded on the front door.”
“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.”
“He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. The last face was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement.”
“‘I was to say that ‘Maw and Meggins’ disclaim all responsibility,’ continued the other. ‘They admit no liability at all, but in consideration of your son’s services, they wish to present you with a certain sum as compensation.’”
