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Post by wireman on Sept 22, 2021 11:59:42 GMT
Today we will discuss The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs
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Post by wireman on Sept 22, 2021 12:42:30 GMT
This is a variation of the three wishes and be careful what you wish for type stories and certainly seems like it could have been an influence for Pet Sematary.
In many of the other stories of this type, the person that is making the wishes seem overly greedy and deserving of their fate. That's not the case here as this family doesn't really seem to deserve such a harsh fate. I think that makes this story more horrifying than others like it. I like the ending where the wish is not revealed but we probably know what it was. What happens after that is up to our imagination.
Is the story a revenge story on the British from the Indians? I found it interesting that the family's name was White and the Monkey's paw was Indian.
And there was a bit of misogyny of the era that made me laugh:
"She waited as patiently as her sex would permit for him to broach his business."
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Post by edwardjohn on Sept 22, 2021 15:29:54 GMT
I have returned to the weekly stories! I got engrossed in a book for a while there (Clive Barker) and didn't really want to read anything else.
Excellent story to return to. I knew this tale from the classic horror movie of the same name, but had never actually read it before; I was pleasantly surprised at how excellent it was. Reminds me a bit of Blackwood, that's not really surprising, though, Blackwood and Jacobs seem to have been from the, relatively, same era, as well as being members of the British literary tradition.
I'm a bit sceptical as to the majors actions, though. If he really wished the family well, why would he even discuss the monkey's paw? And why did he bring it with him? Also, he should have made sure that the paw was destroyed, even when Mr White became its saviour! I guess the remainder of the story wouldn't of happened if he didn't? Regardless, I liked a lot of the stuff towards the end. I knew there was going to be a surprise, unexpected specification of the wish; it wasn't the one I'd have went for, but Jacobs is far better. Anyway, credit to the author and his tale.
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Post by edwardjohn on Sept 22, 2021 15:30:43 GMT
This is a variation of the three wishes and be careful what you wish for type stories and certainly seems like it could have been an influence for Pet Sematary.
In many of the other stories of this type, the person that is making the wishes seem overly greedy and deserving of their fate. That's not the case here as this family doesn't really seem to deserve such a harsh fate. I think that makes this story more horrifying than others like it. I like the ending where the wish is not revealed but we probably know what it was. What happens after that is up to our imagination.
Is the story a revenge story on the British from the Indians? I found it interesting that the family's name was White and the Monkey's paw was Indian.
And there was a bit of misogyny of the era that made me laugh:
"She waited as patiently as her sex would permit for him to broach his business."
Okay, I'll show myself the door.  |
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Post by edwardjohn on Sept 22, 2021 15:32:31 GMT
This is a variation of the three wishes and be careful what you wish for type stories and certainly seems like it could have been an influence for Pet Sematary.
In many of the other stories of this type, the person that is making the wishes seem overly greedy and deserving of their fate. That's not the case here as this family doesn't really seem to deserve such a harsh fate. I think that makes this story more horrifying than others like it. I like the ending where the wish is not revealed but we probably know what it was. What happens after that is up to our imagination.
Is the story a revenge story on the British from the Indians? I found it interesting that the family's name was White and the Monkey's paw was Indian.
And there was a bit of misogyny of the era that made me laugh:
"She waited as patiently as her sex would permit for him to broach his business."
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Post by spideyman on Sept 22, 2021 15:56:00 GMT
Enjoyed the story. Had a mixture of supernatural, death and fate. I had the feeling from reading that perhaps Jacob's meant to make it unclear as the whether the monkey's paw really had magical powers , and was it really responsible for Herbert's death.
Also liked the ending not revealing the outcome of the wish.
And welcome back to the discussions edwardjohn. Always enjoy reading yours and wireman take on each story.
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Post by spideyman on Sept 24, 2021 14:51:54 GMT
Any suggestions for next reading group discussion?
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Post by wireman on Sept 25, 2021 9:50:15 GMT
Any suggestions for next reading group discussion? The Door In The Wall by HG Wells
PDF
After this story: I'm done with Billy Summers, so if we want to pick a SK collection to read every other week, I'm ready. We did Nightmares and Everything's Eventual already
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Post by spideyman on Sept 25, 2021 16:22:07 GMT
Night Shift
Different Seasons
Skeleton Crew
Four Past Midnight
Hearts in Atlantis
Just After Sunset
Full Dark, No Stars
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams
If It Bleeds
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Post by wireman on Sept 25, 2021 18:15:41 GMT
Night Shift Different Seasons Skeleton Crew Hearts in Atlantis Just After Sunset Full Dark, No Stars |
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Post by spideyman on Sept 25, 2021 19:23:48 GMT
Night Shift Different Seasons Skeleton Crew Hearts in Atlantis Just After Sunset Full Dark, No Stars |
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