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Essay / The presentation of human nature in The Monkey's Paw, a short story by Ww Jacobs
Many authors around the world have described human nature as the way people think, feel and act. WW Jacobs, in his short story “The Monkey's Paw”, paints a rather negative picture of human nature. It features a family who falls under the spell of an old fakir, causing its members to succumb to the temptations provoked by the monkey's paw. The monkey's paw is said to make three wishes for three individuals, granting wishes that would soon turn into tragic heartbreaks and also helping people realize that fate often determines human life. Throughout this short story, WW Jacobs defines human nature as being filled with greed, selfish thoughts, and ungrateful attitudes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay WW Jacobs suggests that humans are naturally filled with greed. In this story, he describes Mr. White as someone who was desperate to hoard his possessions. As a result, Mr. White's greed coveted Sergeant Major Morris's talisman, the Monkey's Paw. For example: “If you don’t want it, Morris,” said the other, “give it to me.” » Mr. White had revealed his excessive greed by saying this even after the paw had been thrown on fire. Additionally, the author also describes how Mr. White was unhappy with all the money and property he already had in his possession. “I wish for two hundred pounds,” said the old man distinctly. » It was the wish he had made when he was already well off. Finally, the author also shows the intense thirst for power of the White family. In the story, Herbert encourages his father's desire to gain royal power by saying, "Well, we're going to be rich and famous and happy." I wish to be emperor, Father. » The author also states that human beings are filled with selfish thoughts. It reveals the White family as people who were not patient when it came to increasing their wealth. He makes this point when he writes: “Well, would like two hundred pounds, then; that will be enough. » WW Jacobs points out that the White family was obsessed with growing their personal wealth. Therefore, the family could have owned everything in the world, but they would not have enough to be satisfied with what they had. The author also shows that the White family was not at all bothered by the fact that the talisman could be cursed and how they could suffer deadly consequences when they first received the monkey's paw from the hands of the sergeant- Major Morris. Their one and only concern was whether the monkey's paw was actually capable of granting their wishes. WW Jacobs also believes that people are prime examples of ungrateful attitudes. The author expresses this human nature through Mr. White who was generally a wealthy man. Although he was unusually fortunate compared to most people, Mr. White was ungrateful about his living conditions, saying, "Of all the beastly, muddy, isolated places to live, the one -this is the worst, the path is a bog. , and the road is a torrent.' » The author also demonstrates the ungrateful state of mind of the son, Herbert White. The son had a good life and even a job, but he still managed to display an ungrateful attitude by saying, "Well, I don't see the money," his son said as he picked it up and placed it on the table. , “and I bet I never will.” » Finally, the author shows the ungrateful attitudes of the couple. Instead of being grateful for their current lot and all that was left to them, they were still considering their other two wishes illustrated in “Think.