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How do story elements of character, setting, and plot contribute to the theme of "The Monkey's Paw"?

The theme for Jacobs' "The Monkey's Paw" can be taken from what Morris says about the reason that the fakir creates the talisman:



"He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow."



As stated above, the purpose behind the enchanted paw is to show that when people tempt, challenge, or interfere with fate, sorrow is the result. The characters, setting and plot all work within the story to prove the fakir's prophecy. First of all, the Whites are tempted by the paw's ability to grant three wishes (characters). Then, the conflict begins when Mr. White makes his first wish for two hundred pounds (plot). Fate responds by providing the two hundred pounds only at the sorrowful cost of the son's life--Herbert White.


The setting reflects the theme when the weather's natural elements change from being just cold and wet to the wind blowing "higher than ever" after the first wish is made. Therefore, the weather's hyperactivity responds to supernatural tampering, which also creates tension between the characters and suspense within the plot. Furthermore, Major Morris tells Mr. White that "things happened so naturally . . . that you might if you wished attribute it to coincidence." As a result, Herbert dies within the setting of his work at a factory when he falls into a machine that kills him. Fate seems to use the setting of Herbert's work as a way to implement a seemingly natural accident. Also, receiving two hundred pounds from Herbert's employers as compensation for his death is logical. So even though the wishes are supernatural, fate grants wishes through natural or reasonable means within the setting. 


Finally, the plot thickens when Mrs. White realizes there are two more wishes she can use to remedy her pain and suffering over her son's death. With each wish also comes a more dreaded and "natural" result. This creates tension and suspense within the plot while also connecting the setting with the characters. For instance, when Mr. White wishes that his son is alive again, he realizes that Herbert's body would need to be put back together after the accident in the machine. If Mr. White couldn't identify his son except for his clothes, then Herbert might come back in horrifying physical and unidentifiable shape. The conflict between the Whites and the supernatural is resolved when Mr. White wishes for Herbert to disappear and the elderly couple lives in despair and loneliness on their "quiet and deserted road." Thus, the fakir's prophecy comes true, and the Whites are left with their sorrow after interfering with fate. 

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