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Sanjay Prasad Pandey, Lovely Professional University Unit 23: One Act Play: Monkey’s Paw

Unit 23: One Act Play: Monkey’s Paw Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction

23.1 Monkey’s Paw—Detailed Study
23.2 Summary
23.3 Keywords
23.4 Review Questions

23.5 Further Readings
Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Play the ‘Monkey’s Paw’
• Write the theme of ‘Monkey’s Paw’

• Describe the summary of ‘Monkey’s Paw’

Introduction

OUTSIDE, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Lakesnam Villa the blinds
were drawn and the fire burned brightly. Father and son were at chess, the former, who
possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp
and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting
placidly by the fire.

23.1 Monkey’s Paw—Detailed Study

“Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was
amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.
“I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.
“Check.”
“I should hardly think that he’d come to-night,” said his father, with his hand poised over the
board.
“Mate,” replied the son.
“That’s the worst of living so far out,” bawled Mr. White, with sudden and unlooked-for
violence; “of all the beastly, slushy, out-of-the-way places to live in, this is the worst. Pathway’s
a bog, and the road’s a torrent. I don’t know what people are thinking about. I suppose
because only two houses in the road are let, they think it doesn’t matter.”
“Never mind, dear,” said his wife, soothingly; “perhaps you’ll win the next one.”
Mr. White looked up sharply, just in time to intercept a knowing glance between mother and
son. The words died away on his lips, and he hid a guilty grin in his thin grey beard.

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