Examples Of Cause And Effect In The Monkey's Paw

Wait, cause-and-effect relationships aren’t always good!?! For example, “cause: bacteria, effect: sickness.” However, looking to literature and cinema, it can be unpleasant in other ways. Some cause-and-effect relationships, such as the banging after the second wish in “The Monkey’s Paw”, and the heart beating faster because of a sound in “The Tell-Tale Heart,” create a feeling of suspense for the audience.

Let’s begin with causes-and-effects in “The Monkey’s Paw,” by William Wymark Jacobs. In the story, the White family buy a monkey’s paw from their friend. This paw granted three wishes. Supposedly, one wish caused the White family to receive a large sum of money, yet also caused Herbert’s death. Another wish was also believed to