Table of ContentsThe Setting of the Story and Mr. White's GreedConsequences of GreedFate and ConsequencesLesson and ConclusionIn literature, various themes abound, ranging love, adventure, horror, suspense and even greed. Greed is an aspect that has been explored in several tales throughout history. One such story is the short story “The Monkey’s Paw” by WW Jacobs. At first glance, the story seems simple, with the plot revolving around the consequences of using a cursed object, namely a monkey's paw that grants three wishes. However, closer inspection reveals deeper underlying themes such as greed, destiny, and the consequences of one's actions, themes which are still relevant today. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The Setting of the Story and Greed by Mr. White The setting of the story is relevant to the theme of greed since it takes place in a modest house in an isolated area. , and the protagonist, Mr. White, is modest. The story begins with the arrival of Sergeant Major Morris, an old friend of Mr. White, who returned to England from India with the cursed monkey's paw. Morris tells the mysterious story of the paw and how it grants three wishes, but warns them of its consequences. However, despite this warning, Mr. White cannot resist the temptation of the wish-granting paw. Conditioned by his greed and desire to improve his life, he decides to wish for money, hoping that it would ease his financial difficulties with the best of intentions. However, Morris warns him that his wish could result in "serious consequences beyond his imagination." Consequences of Greed The effects of Mr. White's first wish are immediate, and the family receives a windfall of two hundred pounds, thanks to the tragic death of their son Herbert in a factory accident. Despite the tragedy, Mr. White can't help but view the money as a positive fulfillment of his wish. He now wishes to raise his son from the dead, but his wife, fearing the consequences, vehemently opposes this. His fear is well-founded as Herbert comes back to life in a zombified state, frightening them greatly. Fate and Aftermath The Last Wish is key to unraveling the overall message of the story, where Mr. White sees himself as a victim of fate. He wishes to fix everything, which miraculously cancels the second wish, to resurrect Herbert. At first, the couple thinks that the last wish has made everything right. However, when Mr. White hears the creaking of the stairs, he knows that the consequences of using the monkey's paw are imminent. Lesson and Conclusion The theme of the story is related to greed as it describes how it leads to devastating consequences. Mr. White's desire for wealth ultimately costs him his son's life and wreaks havoc on family relationships. The story also illustrates that a person's actions have consequences and that fate is unchangeable and inevitable. The lesson of this story is that our actions often have underlying and sometimes unpredictable consequences. Additionally, we should learn to be careful and thoughtful in our decisions. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, "The Monkey's Paw" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the consequences of one's actions. The story takes place at a time when the importance of wealth and financial success was considerable; these themes.