W Jacobs is a classic horror story in which tragedy strikes the White Family, When Sergeant Major Morris brings a Monkey's paw into their lives Which is said to grant three wishes.
'The Red Room' by H.G Wells is also another typical horror story in which a man is sent to the great Lorraine Castle to investigate the superstitious fears of the workers.
In this essay I'm going to compare 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W Jacobs with 'The Red Room' by H.G Wells examining how the writers create suspense.
If we look at 'The Monkey's Paw' the setting is typical for a horror story, 'Night.Cold wet.Paths a bog and roads a torrent.Only two houses in the area'. With the setting being so stereotypical it establishes the expectation that something could go wrong and therefore helps to build suspense. .
Also like 'The Monkey's Paw' The Red Room's setting builds on the expectation that something could go wrong, Leaves the reader anxious to know what exactly will go wrong.'Chilly .Dusty.eerie.echoes up and down spiral stairs.Darkness overhead',All are descriptive words used to manifest fear, and fear builds expectation which builds suspense.
'The Monkey's Paw' is structured in a way that keeps the reader wanting to read on feeling anxious. By building and releasing tension at certain times, For example the build up to the first wish and all the confusion on whether or not anything will happen.Then the sudden death of Herbert which brings the suspense to a climax. From here on the suspense is released as the reader is bluffed that there's nothing that could go wrong after the tragedy has struck. These peaks cause tension to build in the reader as we wonder what will happen.
In 'The Red Room'the suspense is built up slowly , unlike 'The Monkey's Paw' and isn't released until near the end of the story. The structure of 'The Red Room' puts the reader in constant suspense till the last minute. Advanced.went on proceeded and then stopped abruptly.

In “The Monkey’s Paw,” the paw symbolizes temptation and greed which is a flaw in all human beings. It has the power to fulfill 3 wishes to 3 owners, making the use of it tempting to the person who owns it. White recalls that Morris recently told him about a monkey’s paw. Morris reveals that the mummified monkey’s paw came from a fakir, an Indian holy man, who put a spell on the paw in order to teach people that fate ruled everyone’s lives, and those who tried to alter fate would suffer. The Monkey’s Paw Part I opens on a dark and stormy night as the three members of the White family relax inside their cozy house. Herbert White and his father are playing a game of chess while Mrs. White knits near the fire. After his son wins, Mr. White complains about the terrible weather and nearly deserted road they live near. Start studying The Monkey's Paw. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.

Directed by Robert Stevens. With Alfred Hitchcock, Leif Erickson, Jane Wyatt, Collin Wilcox Paxton. A businessman desperate for a change in his fortunes tests the power of a gypsy woman's monkey-paw charm which is said to grant its holder three wishes. His son suffers the consequences.

Introduction

'The Monkey's Paw--A Retelling' was originally broadcast on 19/Apr/1965 as part of the third season of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

Synopsis

Paul and Anne White visit the Bahamas to see their son Howard race in the Grand Prix. Before the race, a gypsy woman gives Paul a monkey's paw that according to legend can grant its bearer three wishes. Paul is desperate for money and wishes for cash. Unfortunately, he gets the money in the form of an insurance settlement when his son is killed in a fiery crash during the race. Anne is struck with grief and forces Paul to wish his son back to life. Paul does so, but soon regrets it when he realizes what condition his son will be in. He uses the third wish to send his son back to the grave. (TV.com)

DVD Releases

The following official DVD releases contain this episode:

Cast and Crew

Directed by:

Produced by:

• Norman Lloyd - executive producer

Written by:

• Morton S. Fine - teleplay (as Morton Fine)
• David Friedkin - teleplay
• W.W. Jacobs - story 'The Monkey's Paw'
• Anthony Terpiloff - teleplay

Starring:

• Alfred Hitchcock — cast: Himself - Host
• Leif Erickson — cast: Paul White
• Jane Wyatt — cast: Anne White
• Collin Wilcox Paxton — cast: Selina (as Collin Wilcox)
• Lee Majors — cast: Howard White
• Janet MacLachlan — cast: Gayle
• Stuart Margolin — cast: Robin Boyd
• Zolya Talma — cast: Gypsy Woman
• Richard Caruso — cast: The Gypsy Boy (as Dick Caruso)
• Gilchrist Stuart — cast: British Man (as Gil Stuart)
• Marusia Toumanoff — cast: Natasha Gurlieff
• Peter Howard — cast: Curtis Welks
• Carmen Phillips — cast: Mary Smith
• Michelle Marley — cast: Joan Fanu
• Vincent Chase — cast: Hume Ray
• Pat Renella — cast: Frank Corseli

Cinematography by:

• John F. Warren - director of photography

Edited by:

Links

The Monkey's Paw