What is the rising action of “The Monkey’s Paw”?
The rising action of “The Monkey’s Paw,” a short story written by W. W. Jacobs in 1902, is a crucial element that builds tension and suspense throughout the narrative. This segment of the story involves a series of events that lead to the climax, where the characters face the dire consequences of their actions. The rising action begins with the introduction of the monkey’s paw, a mysterious artifact that grants its owner three wishes, but with dark and tragic outcomes.
In the opening scene, the story introduces Mr. White, a man who, along with his wife, finds the monkey’s paw while on a walk. Intrigued by the paw’s strange origins and the tales of its power, Mr. White decides to take it home. As the story progresses, the rising action unfolds through a series of events that lead to the first wish.
The first wish is made by Mr. White, who wishes for his son to return from the war. Initially, the wish seems to have a positive outcome, as the son arrives home safely. However, the story takes a dark turn when the son reveals that he has been killed in action. This event marks the beginning of the rising action, as the characters realize the paw’s power is not as benevolent as they had hoped.
The rising action continues as the second wish is made by Mrs. White, who wishes for her husband’s leg to be healed after an accident. Again, the wish appears to have a positive outcome, as Mr. White’s leg is restored. However, the story takes another dark turn when Mr. White starts to experience strange and terrifying events, such as the sound of footsteps and the appearance of a ghostly figure.
The rising action reaches its peak with the third and final wish. Mr. White, desperate to rid himself of the paw’s curse, wishes for the paw to be destroyed. This wish has catastrophic consequences, as it unleashes a series of tragic events that result in the death of Mr. White, his wife, and his neighbor, Mrs. Taylor.
In conclusion, the rising action of “The Monkey’s Paw” is a sequence of events that build tension and suspense, leading to the climactic revelation of the paw’s dark power. Through the characters’ experiences with the monkey’s paw, W. W. Jacobs effectively conveys the theme of the dangers of wishing for things beyond one’s control and the unforeseen consequences that can arise from such desires.
