Is the Monkey's Paw Magic?
Man, this story does not have a happy ending. Herbert is not coming back, and Mr. and Mrs. White are left childless and grieving.
The interesting thing about the ending is that not everything is explained. There's actually a lot left to the imagination. For example:
- Is the monkey's paw really and truly magic?
- Did Mr. White's second wish really bring Herbert back from the dead?
- Was it Herbert knocking on the White's door in the middle of the night?
- If so, was Herbert mangled, nasty, and zombie-ish?
- What was Mr. White's final wish?
Jacobs just doesn't give us all of the information. He keeps it mysterious. In fact, Jacob keeps it unclear whether or not the paw really has magical powers and is responsible for Herbert's death. We don't know whether it was really undead Herbert White, knocking at the door, or if there is some rational explanation (a neighbor, a bear, Morris?). Like Mr. and Mrs. White, most readers will be caught between belief and disbelief, between a desire to explain things rationally and a desire to surrender to the supernatural explanation.
What do you think? How would you answer the five questions above?
Mr. White's Final Wish
Supernatural matters aside, we think the ending also does a lot of character building. When Mrs. White is unable to sleep because she's thinking of Herbert cold and alone, and when she is willing to accept Herbert even mangled and undead, we understand the depth of her love and grief.
What really shows in the ending, though, is Mr. White's love for his wife and the sturdiness of his character. He'll do anything for her – even wish a dead son back to life against his better judgment. His ability to do what he knows is right for his wife – stop the undead Herbert from coming back or comfort his wife in her time of need – shows us how strong he can be. He can put his own grief aside to help his wife deal with hers.
Let's take a look at the final lines of the story:
A cold wind rushed up the staircase, and a long loud wail of disappointment and misery from his wife gave him courage to run down to her side, and then to the gate beyond. The street lamp flickering opposite shone on a quiet and deserted road. (3.49)
Hmm. This suggests that Mr. and Mrs. White both believed it was the undead Herbert at the door. Mrs. White, described as being mentally faster than her husband, will surely put two and two together and realize that Mr. White wished away her Herbert.
Will she forgive him? Will Mrs. White drive herself mad obsessing over the paw, the wishes, and Herbert's death? Will Mr. White be able to help her through it? What will become of this elderly couple now that they are virtually alone in the world? And, most importantly, do you think Mr. White made the right decision?