Imagine if you had the power to have anything you desired, but the cost would be someone’s life. It is important to be cautious when making wishes because the outcomes could be horrifying. The combination of fate and symbolism can be a destructive force. Poe and Jacobs effectively utilize fate and symbolism to illustrate the concept of death.
The concept of destiny is effectively utilized in both “The Monkey’s Paw” and “The Masque of the Red Death”. In the case of “Monkey,” the paw manipulates fate, as stated, “It moved……As I wished it twisted in my hand like a snake.” This twisting and movement symbolize someone or something altering fate to fulfill their desires. Similarly, in “Masque,” the nobility also sought to manipulate fate. Nonetheless, their intentions were not centered around material possessions; they aimed to control fate in order to survive the Red Death. “The abbey was amply provisioned. With such precautions, the courtiers might defy contagion.” Through the provision of supplies and implementing other precautions, the partygoers attempted to evade death.
Altering one’s fate can result in repercussions, as exemplified by Op and Jacob in their respective stories. In the tale “Monkey,” the father’s wish for two hundred pounds is granted, but it comes at the cost of Herbert’s life. Similarly, in “Masque,” despite taking measures (i.e., manipulating fate) to protect themselves from the Red Death, the characters ultimately met their demise.
Both Edgar Allen Poe and W.W. Jacobs effectively employ symbolism in their stories. In Jacobs’ tale, the monkey’s paw represents the desire to alter or control destiny. The choice of a monkey as the symbol is significant because monkeys are the only animals, besides humans, with opposable thumbs. Similarly, in “Masque,” one of the seven deadly sins, pride, serves as a symbol for manipulating fate. The characters’ excessive pride leads them to believe they can accomplish anything, including changing their predetermined fate. Additionally, the chessboard and game mentioned at the outset of “Monkey” also serve as symbols.
The chessboard serves as a representation of life, with each piece symbolizing individuals. These individuals possess certain movement abilities, but their actions can result in mistakes or daring endeavors, leading to potential consequences. Death, portrayed as checkmate, is one of the outcomes that can occur. In the story “Masque,” the mummer also embodies death. Described as a tall and gaunt figure, dressed entirely in grave garments and donning a mask that closely resembles a deceased person’s face, this image reflects the Plague and the subsequent demise of the population.
Both Poe and Jacobs effectively incorporated the concept of altering our destiny in their stories. Additionally, they employed symbolism adeptly, thus enabling the reader to visualize vividly. The central theme that can be inferred from both works, particularly “The Monkey’s Paw,” is the importance of being cautious when voicing desires. Furthermore, the notion of fate is evident in both “The Monkey’s Paw” and the other mentioned stories.
