State of the Mother’s Mind in The Monkey’s Paw Essay Example

image that perfectly encapsulates the tranquility and comfort of a contented family.

Mrs. White resides in a modest lounge which is described by W.W. Jacobs as "beastly, slushy, and out of the way", implying not a very fortunate living condition for her family. Nonetheless, this does not deprive them of pleasure. After dinner, all the day's fatigue brushed off, Mrs. White basks in tranquility with her husband and son in their compact house. She spends her leisure time doing what she loves - knitting, and takes pleasure in spectating the chess game between her husband and son, comforting and cheering him.

She is the individual responsible for cultivating the family's harmony and nurturing their spirit. For a woman, arranging her family in such a cheerful fashion is a significant achievement. Despite not having wealth, Mrs. White is clearly experiencing a happy time in her life. But, with the emergence of the monkey's paw, this happiness doesn't last. Everything alters once the monkey’s paw comes into the picture. Previously, Mrs. White was a simple woman, but once she becomes aware of the paw's worth, she joins her family members in their curiosity.

She inquires the guest about the authenticity of the paw and the previous individuals who had utilized it for their desires. The reality of the paw's power remains an enigma to everyone. Initially, she doesn't invest much faith in its power. She jests about it, suggesting her spouse to wish for eight extra hands for her, heedless of the potential outcomes. According to her, the notion of wishes being fulfilled in this era is absurd. She fears the ridicule that might come from showing faith

in such concepts. This motivates her to downplay the credibility of Morris's tale.

Nevertheless, the manner in which she recounts that story the next morning, the haste with which she races to the door at the sound of the postman's knock, work against her. Ultimately, it's a desire, an opportunity for whoever possesses it to improve their situation. This fact is indubitable. Keeping this in mind, her family wished for two hundred pounds. Deep down, she clings to the hope that the talisman's miracle is real. Observing a stranger near her home, she intuitively senses as a mother that there may be a correlation with the two hundred pounds. She might perceive this as an ominous sign.

Reacting quickly, she unhooks her apron strings and places them onto a chair. Her anxiety heightens as she notices a hesitant quiet break from an unfamiliar man. Breathless and frantic, she places her shaking hand on her husband. A horrified scream slips out when she discovers her son's death and the awarded compensation. In that moment, she understands that due to her avaricious desire and curiosity, triggered by the monkey's paw, she has led her child into tragedy. In her perception, everything else in the world ceases to exist, becoming invisible.

Her son Herbert is the most precious thing in her life. She has paid two hundred pounds for her son, oh the irony! Money is something everybody needs in life, and while many desire to accumulate a lot of it, they often overlook its dangerous aspects, particularly if its source is unclear. The author employs brief sentences in his narrative to invoke suspense among his readers. Sentences like "What is

it?" "Is he injured?" and so forth, accelerate the progression of the story and propel it towards the climax. The agony of a woman, whose son tragically dies due to either a coincidence, curiosity or greed, will be profound indeed.

The home environment feels incredibly stifling and exhausted. The elderly pair returns from the burial ground with profound grief. They say, "Everything happened so fast that initially they could barely comprehend it. They were left in a state of anticipation for something else to occur - something else that might ease this overwhelming burden too oppressive for the elderly to withstand." There's no conversation to be had between the aged couple. The fact that their son has passed, his funeral, and his grave are all tangible realities. However, Mrs. White's emotions are illusionary. She continues to keep faith, expectantly waiting for some magical occurrence.

In times of profound pain, individuals often choose to avoid confronting reality. The elderly couple are in denial concerning the unfolding events, as their son who had recently conversed with them is now deceased. The immense grief weighs heavily on their hearts, particularly that of the old lady. In the gloom of the room, hushed sobs can be heard emanating from the window, highlighting her deep anguish as she is tormented by the idea of her child being lifeless. What intensifies her pain is the thought of her child being frigid at the same instant. Amidst her overwhelming grief, a glimmer of hope emerges in her mind — what if their son could rise from the dead?

The anticipation of such an event would undeniably lift their emotional load and pave way for

joy to resurface in their lives, allowing them to move past their present miss happening. Henceforth, she regards the Monkey’s paw as a miraculous solution for their dire circumstances. Regardless of this hope, she fails to consider the potential repercussions originating from usage of the Monkey's Paw. Embarking on a wish for two hundred pounds resulted in death for their son in return. The woman should be acutely aware of these possible calamities, yet her deep hurt blinds her rationality and obscures her vision.

She is greatly upset and will spare no cost for the return of her son. When she comes up with what she believes to be a brilliant idea of making a second wish, she suddenly shouts in a fervent state, “Go get it and wish”, displaying her wife's trembling enthusiasm. There is room for empathy towards the mother, since the loss of her son severely wounds her soul. Moreover, feelings of guilt may arise from the speculation that her son's death may have been caused by the parents' insatiable greed or merely curiosity. These factors contribute to comprehending the woman's decision to implore her husband to make a second wish.

The story emerges from the core of a bereaved mother, who lost her son and attempted to prevent her family's misfortune... She stumbles across the room towards her husband, fully aware of the impossibility but clings to the talisman as her only lifeline in a moment of despair. How tragic for the desperate mother! Despite her husband's objections, Mrs. White pleads him to use the second wish to resurrect their son. This scenario paints a picture of the depth of her love for

her son. Following her husband's second wish, "the elderly woman, with eyes aflame, ambled to the window and lifted the blind".

It's evident from the reference to "burning eyes" that she anticipates her son's survival. This anticipation is expressed even more forcefully when she pulls up the window shade, as though waiting for a new omen in the form of "the elderly lady peering out of the window". Her expectations go unanswered. While the old man experiences an indescribable sense of relief from the talisman's failure, she quietly positions herself next to him, unmoved by emotions. They remain silent, only accompanied by the ticking clock. As she lies there waiting for her son, time appears to drag on.

The crushing darkness undermines their bravery. “The moment he was at the bottom of the stairs, the match fizzled out, prompting him to light another. Simultaneously, an almost inaudible knock, soft and stealthy, echoed from the front door". Her anticipations are finally met. The elderly woman starts crying out when she hears the third knock echoing through their home, “what’s that?” However, her husband reassures her saying, “a rat. It crossed my path on the stairs". But when a powerful knock reverberates within the house, she instantly recognizes it as her son's, "It's Herbert", she shrieks.

At this point, although her knowledge of the knock is limited, she holds onto the belief that it's her son coming back. Based on this, one can perceive her mental state to be complex during this time. It's an amalgamation of several feelings, sentiments, and thoughts. Her emotional state isn't merely filled with worry, anxiety, and perhaps despair, but also joy because there is

a response to her anticipations — "the knock on the door". The reasons for her worry, anxiety, and possibly even depression? She frets about the possibility of it not being her son behind the door and whether she'll have a chance to see him again. The thought of someone other than her son being at the door could potentially plunge her into despair.

Additionally, she anticipates joy at the prospect of seeing her son again, which would bring happiness back to the family. This is reflective of Mrs. White's affection for her family, especially her son. Unable to contain her excitement, she rushes towards the door, her voice tense and quivering. The tension peaks when Mrs. White attempts to unlock the door while her husband is searching for the magical object for their final wish. Their son's life was claimed by a monkey's paw, a costly consequence for his father's wishes.

As a man, Mr. White has a calm mind that's filled with dread about possible future outcomes. Consequently, he feels the need to make another wish. The threat of a fate worse than death looming over his family drives his fear. In contrast, Mrs. White as a woman, has a contrasting reaction. Women often focus on the immediate events of the future. Regardless of the consequences, her sole desire is to reconnect with her beloved son. Sadly, her husband's actions precede hers. All that greets her when she opens the door is a silent and empty road, leading to deep disappointment and despair. Initially, the White family appears to be leading a blissful life at the beginning of the narrative.

The look of the paw has

stirred up everything. As individuals, overcoming our own greed and curiosity is a primary challenge in life. However, it's often a challenge not many can meet. The Whites are an illustrative example. Every action has its price. If only Mrs. White had not succumbed to her curiosity and greed, if she could have maintained self-control in the face of the talisman's temptation and cautioned her husband and her son, their family might have evaded such a disaster. Jacobs' portrayal of the mother is strikingly realistic, brimming with complex emotions.

The transformations in her emotional state cause alterations in the reader's viewpoint as the tale progresses. Assuming the existence of magic, her son's death could be attributed to her curiosity and avarice. However, concurrently, we empathize with this unfortunate mother, who had to bear an unbearably steep cost for her greed. As a result, empathy is the shared response engendered among readers towards her maternal love. Our sympathy for her strengthens our resolve to heed this warning to avoid repeating her tragic error.