The Monkey's Paw: A Reader's Guide
W.W. Jacobs's classic horror story — three wishes, terrible cost, and the knock at the door.
The Monkey's Paw (1902) by W.W. Jacobs is a compact horror masterpiece — Mr. and Mrs. White receive a mummified paw granting three wishes from visitor Sergeant-Major Morris.
What happens
They wish for money; son Herbert dies in a factory accident; compensation equals the amount wished. Grief-stricken, Mrs. White wishes Herbert alive; something knocks at the door in the night. Mr. White uses the final wish before the door opens — implication left horrific.
Themes
Fate, grief, interference with death, colonial souvenir as curse.
Why assigned everywhere
Perfect structure: setup, temptation, consequence, climax in few pages.
Read aloud on a dark night — still works.