The Monkey's Paw

What event at the beginning of the story triggers the action of the plot?

• The old lady knitting quietly by the fire

• Mr. White playing chess with his son

• The arrival of Sergeant-Major Morris

• The cold and wet night outside

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CCSS.RL.8.1

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How does the Sergeant-Major's story about the monkey's paw propel the action of the plot?

•  It introduces the characters' curiosity about the paw's magical abilities.

• It reveals the history of the paw and its previous owners.

•  It creates suspense by foreshadowing potential consequences of using the paw.

• It provokes a decision in the characters to make their wishes.

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CCSS.RL.8.3

What do we learn about Mr. White's character from his reaction to losing the chess game?

• He is a sore loser and gets angry easily.

• He is a competitive person who hates to lose.

• He is a caring father who tries to protect his son from making mistakes.

• He is a playful and humorous person, despite his serious chess skills.

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

What does the description of Sergeant-Major Morris reveal about his character?

• He is a brave and heroic soldier who fought in wars.

• He is a cautious and skeptical person who doesn't believe in magic.

• He is a mysterious and secretive man who is haunted by the monkey's paw.

• He is a friendly and outgoing person who enjoys sharing stories with others.

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CCSS.RL.8.1

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CCSS.RL.8.3

What provokes Mr. White's decision to make his first wish with the monkey's paw?

• Sergeant-Major Morris's warning about the consequences of using the paw

• His desire to win money and become rich

• His son's playful suggestion to wish for something extravagant

• His wife's insistence that they try to bring their deceased son back to life

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

What incident prompts Mr. White to use his second wish?

• Hearing a knock at the door in the middle of the night

• Witnessing the paw move like a snake in his hand

• Seeing his wife become upset and distressed

• Finding the monkey's paw on the floor after his first wish

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CCSS.RL.8.1

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CCSS.W.8.9A

What effect does the difference in Mr. and Mrs. White's points of view have on the story?

• It creates suspense as the audience wonders which one will use the paw first.

• It adds humor to the story as they playfully argue about what to wish for.

• It heightens the dramatic tension as they debate the consequences of using the paw.

• It leads to confusion as the audience tries to understand their different perspectives.

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CCSS.RL.8.6

How does the audience's knowledge of Herbert's fate create suspense in the story?

• The audience knows that Herbert is dead, but the characters don't, leading to dramatic irony.

• The audience is aware of the monkey's paw's powers, making them fear the characters'  future wishes.

• The audience is comfortable in the knowledge that Herbert has died.

• The audience understands the well dressed man’s hesitancy at knocking at the White’s door.

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CCSS.RL.8.6

Which of the following lines of text support the inference that the monkey's paw is a dangerous and unpredictable object?

•  "He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who tried to change it would be sorry."

• "His three listeners leaned forward excitedly."

• "The little family circle listened with growing interest to this visitor from distant parts."

• "The soldier looked at him the way that the middle-aged usually look at disrespectful youth."

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CCSS.RL.8.1

Which line of dialogue from the story supports the idea that Mr. White is hesitant about using the monkey's paw?

• "What was that that you started telling me the other day about a monkey’s paw or something, Morris?"

• "I did have some idea of selling it, but I don’t think I will. It has caused me enough trouble already."

• "Go get it quickly, and wish – Oh my boy, my boy!"

• "It is foolish and wicked," he said weakly.

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CCSS.RL.8.3