The Monkey's Paw

In the conclusion of "The Monkey's Paw," the final detail that underscores the story's dark themes is the chilling knock at the door after Mr. White makes his desperate wish for his son Herbert to return. This moment signifies the consequences of tampering with fate and the horror of unintended results, as the couple realizes that their wish has brought back something that is not truly their son. The story ends with a sense of dread and foreboding, emphasizing the moral that some wishes come at a terrible price.

From memory: Anticipation was built up in the reader's imagination.

if you re talking about the short story from language arts in 8th grade, then it would probably be when the son dies, or when they realize that every wish they make comes true. i remember doing that. it's a good book.

Eveyone can be tempted by the lure of having their wishes granted, and Mr. White (although skeptical) does not want the paw destroyed before he can see if it works. Morris, having used the paw, says he kept it to possibly sell it. But the implication is that he kept it to remind himself that men should not tamper with powers they cannot control.

The White's home is isolated and protected from the outside world by its isolation. The intrusion of the world traveling Sergeant-Major Morris is the first intrusion into their home of the outside, followed by the intrusion of the man informing them of their son's death - and the threatened third invasion by the reanimated corpse of their son. Their home also contains a chessboard which is symbolic of the dangerous game they are playing in using the monkey's paw to make wishes. Mr. White tends to play the game taking big risks with his pieces in hopes of a spectacular victory - only to have those risks yield serious negative consequences later in the game. This parallels the course of the story as the risks he takes in wishing on the paw come back to haunt him - rather literally.

In "The Monkey's Paw," Mrs. White undergoes a significant character change from a skeptical and somewhat passive individual to one filled with desperation and grief. Initially, she expresses doubt about the paw's powers, but after the tragic loss of her son, she becomes consumed by her desire to reverse fate. This shift reveals her vulnerability and highlights the destructive nature of her wishes, ultimately leading to a tragic outcome that underscores the story's themes of loss and the dangers of tampering with fate.

It symbolizes changing fate. As in the monkeys paw in the story grants three wishes... And people who want to take advantage that change in fate will suffer the coniquences.

Relaxed and relieved

sometimes and sometimes not

Major Morris throws the monkey's paw into the fire to try to keep anyone else from suffering because of it. He had kept it after using it, but now wants to destroy it, so that no one else would tempt fate by using powers beyond their control. White grabs it from the fire, and later uses it, to his lasting sorrow.

(see the story at the related link)

He doesn't take it seriously.

Mr.White bought it from Sergeant-Major-Morris.

Airway pressure

Plot of the story was about negative compensatory side-effects of meddling with fate for betterment. If herbert was wished for Resurrection then the possible side effect were:
1. His soul could never be at peace .
2. He was carrying decayed rotting body.
3. Somebody else in family was to die in his place.
4. His son was possibly a brainless being not recognizing his kin & may harm them.
Following are possible wishes.
1. He asked for reversal of all the meddling and return every thing back to as it was and herbert was inside sleeping so no one could be at the door.
2. He preyed to fakir that he understood his point and wished him to forgive them from the bad outcomes.
3. He wished for his son's soul to move on and ending the greed for the last wish for which his wife and undead son would force him like getting his sons youthfull perfect body back.

The short story "The Monkey's Paw" has several messages for readers:

1. Be wary of anything that is too easy/free. If you don't have to work for it, there is usually a catch.

2. Be careful what you ask for, you may just get it. It's best to appreciate the things you have rather than constantly pine for what you don't. If you spend too much time hoping and wishing for a better, easier, happier life you'll miss out on the best moments of the life you already lead.

3. Don't mess with the natural order of the universe. You'll get what you deserve and work for in life. Don't touch things that don't belong to you. Chi! Karma! The Golden Rule! Whatever you want to call it, the universe has its own momentum and trying to "trick" it will have devastating results.

4. Two wrongs will never make a right. When you discover that your greed has killed your son chances are he won't be happy when you turn him into a zombie.

to be careful of what you wish for because you just might get it or the cause of anything can always have an effect

In "The Monkey's Paw," Herbert's tragic fate within the machinery symbolizes the destructive consequences of tampering with fate and the dangers of human desire. The machinery represents not only the physical forces at play but also the intricate workings of fate and consequence. This incident underscores the story's central theme: the peril of wishing for more than one is entitled to and the unforeseen repercussions of such actions. Ultimately, it serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of human control over destiny.

I couldn't find much, but the most I could get is that at the time England had colonies everywhere, and when people from the colonies would visit England they would tell stories of where they came from.