The Monkey's Paw

Mood refers to the emotions a story evokes in the reader. This story occupies the horror genre, which intends to scare or shock the reader, often creating a sense of dread with dark or eerie descriptions, images, and supernatural entities like evil spirits or ghosts. The action in “The Money’s Paw” creates a foreboding sense that something terrible may happen. The monstrous Herbert (heard but never seen) further stokes feelings of fear or trepidation. Based on Mr. White’s descriptions, the reader can sense that this Herbert would be the opposite of the congenial character from the story’s beginning. The scene is made all the scarier by Mrs. White’s efforts to greet Herbert at the door while Mr. White tries to find the monkey’s paw to wish the creature away. Jacobs cleverly heightens the mood with urgency and dread, intensifying the sensation for any reader enjoying the story.

Literary foreshadowing is the use of indications of what is to come in a story. Morris warns the family about the dangers of the paw and tries to burn it. This behavior foreshadows that the paw is a malevolent force.