The Monkey's Paw: Theme and Symbolism

The monkey's paw primarily symbolizes:

• Wealth and prosperity

• Exotic adventure

• Dangerous temptation and unintended consequences

• Scientific progress

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The chess game at the beginning of the story symbolizes (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

• Mr. White's intelligence

• The family's competitive nature

• Life's unpredictability

• Mr. White's futile attempts to control fate

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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Which theme is most prominent throughout the story?

• The power of love

• The danger of interfering with fate

• The importance of family

• The value of hard work

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

The storm outside the Whites' home symbolizes:

• The approaching danger

• The family's inner turmoil

• Nature's indifference to human desires

• All of the above

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

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CCSS.L.9-10.5

Sergeant-Major Morris throwing the paw into the fire symbolizes:

• His attempt to protect the Whites

• His regret over past wishes

• The destructive nature of the paw

• All of the above

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

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The theme of greed is best represented by:

• Mr. White's chess strategy

• Herbert's job at the factory

• The Whites' wish for money

• Sergeant-Major Morris's travels

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

The knocking at the door after the second wish symbolizes:

• Hope for Herbert's return

• The intrusion of the supernatural into the natural world

• The consequences of defying death

• All of the above

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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The fakir who spelled the paw represents:

• Eastern wisdom (wanted to prove that fate ruled people's lives)

• The dangers of colonialism

• The limits of human understanding

• The power of curses

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The theme of acceptance versus rebellion against fate is exemplified by:

• Mr. White's initial attitude

• Mrs. White's insistence on the second wish

• Herbert's death

• Both a and b

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The 200 pounds symbolize:

• The exact amount of their mortgage

• The price of a human life

• The Whites' modest desires

• Both b and c

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5