10.8 The Monkey's Paw Character and Characterization

The

W.W. JACOBS

Monkey’s

Paw

STEAL

The STEAL method analyzes characters through Speech, Thoughts, Effects on others, Actions, and Looks, using questions to explore their personality, behavior, and impact on the story, revealing deeper traits and motivations.

STEAL

1. Go to the next slides to find a series of questions.
2. For each question, interact with Magic School's AI character simulator.
3. Write a clear and specific prompt to get a correct answer from the AI.
4. Adjust your questions if needed to improve the responses.
5. Record the AI's answers in the space provided.

For this assignment, you will need to interact with Magic school and the text to discover the answer to these questions.

The Characters

Mr. White

Mrs. White

Herbert White

Sgt. Maj. Morris

The father of the family. He's initially skeptical of the paw's power but eventually makes a wish.

The mother of the family. She's consumed by grief after a tragedy and longs to bring her son back.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. White. A young man who unfortunately meets with misfortune.

A friend of the Whites who introduces them to the monkey's paw. He warns them of its dangers.

Characterization: Speech

Open the STEAL chart for every question.

Open the STEAL chart to access the questions.

Follow the area displayed on the card. For example, this is Speech.

STEAL

To answer the question, pick a character from The Monkey’s Paw and think about what they say in the story. For example, Mr. White speaks directly to others and reveals his wishes and fears. You should explain how the character shows their feelings and actions through their words. Does the reader hear them, or do others talk about them?

Info

Question 1

The Story

Characterization: Thoughts

Use the copy of the story you opened on the previous slide.

To answer, choose a character and explain what they’re thinking. Then, say how readers know their thoughts—do they speak them or does someone else tell us? Finally, compare their actions and words to their thoughts: do they match or are they hiding something? Be sure to name the character.

Question 2

STEAL

Characterization: Effects on Others

Pick a character and explain how others react to them. Next, describe what the character does to others and what others do to them. Finally, mention who tells the reader this information—is it from the narrator or another character? Be sure to include the character’s name in your answer.

STEAL

Question 3

Characterizations: Actions

Pick a character and describe how they act. Then, explain if their actions match what they say or think. Mention if their behavior changes during the story and if they choose not to do something. Be sure to include the character’s name in your answer.

Question 4

STEAL

Characterization: Looks

Choose a character and describe their appearance based on details from the story. Next, explain if their appearance changes depending on who describes them. Finally, share what impression or feeling their description creates for the reader. Be sure to name the character in your answer.

Question 5

STEAL

The End

Simplified Question

For this assignment on "The Monkey's Paw," pick a character from the story. Answer these questions: What does the character say? What do we learn about them and others when they talk? Do they tell us about themselves, or does someone else tell us? Do we hear them speak? Make sure to write the character's name.