The Monkey's Paw Character Analysis

Stubbornness can be a good trait, but many times, it’s not. A rock, likewise, is immovable and steadfast. No matter how strong a person may be, it’ll be impossible to lift a boulder. You’re powerless against it. Stubbornness is like a boulder. No matter how much you try, it’ll never move, your situation can end in a disaster, and sometimes, giving up will save you the sorrow. “Be determined,” is what everyone’s been told at one point in life. But what if it’s already impossible? What if hope is already gone? But no one cares. “Keep trying,” Mom says. “Be headstrong,” Dad says. In “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W Jacobs, it shows however many warnings or reasons given, stubbornness will keep pursuing. “ ‘If you don’t want it, Morris,’ said the old
‘I threw it on the fire, If you keep it, don’t blame me for what happens. Pitch it on the fire again, like a sensible man.’ The other shook his head and examine his new possession closely.” (89). Mr. White was warned of the horrible consequences the monkey’s paw would bring upon him, yet he was stubborn and kept it. No matter how much Sergeant Major Morris pleaded with him not to use it, Mr. White wouldn’t hear it. Just like Mr. White, Georg Znaeym from “The Interlopers” by Saki was ignorantly and equally stubborn. “ ‘No, I can scarcely see anything, there is so much blood caked round my eyes,’ said Georg; ‘and in any case I don’t drink wine with an enemy,’ ” (86). Georg hated Ulrich and even when he was shown an act of kindness, he refused it because of their petty feud. Even when the two men were pinioned under the birch tree with severe injuries and bloodied limbs, Georg haughtily turned his head away because of how stubbornly he held on to their foolish quarrel. As a result, both Mr. White and Georg Znaeym’s lives would have been a lot less complicated if their stubbornness hadn’t gotten in the
But when people cling on to their stubbornness, it will only bring more pain. In “The Monkey’s Paw”, Herbert died a horrible death and when Mrs. White insisted that her husband wish him back to life, it only brought more disappointment. “A cold wind rushed up the staircase, and a long wail of disappointment and misery from his wife…”. (99). When Mrs. White stubbornly made Mr. White wish for their son’s life, she got her hopes up. No matter how many warnings were given, she wouldn’t give the idea up which caused her only sadness when Herbert was still dead. In “The Interlopers”, Georg Znaeym was bloodied and bruised. Mother Nature had brought pain upon him which wouldn’t have happened if he wasn’t so stubborn as to go hunting on another’s land. “...lay Georg Znaeym, alive and struggling, but obviously as helplessly pinioned down…” (84). Georg’s stupid decision to go poaching certainly backfired when he found himself stuck in a situation as helpless as this. Mrs. White add Georg Znaeym would have both been saved the sorrow had they not been so