2. By: W.W Jacobs Play by: Mara Rockliff
The Monkey’s Paw
By: W.W Jacobs
Play by: Mara Rockliff

3. Discuss with your group what you think the play will be about and why.
Prediction
Discuss with your group what you think the play will be about and why.

4. W.W. Jacobs Born 1863 and died 1943 He grew up in London
He worked at a bank and hated it and began to write humorous stories
He is most famous for his horror stories
“The Monkey’s Paw” is one of the mostly widely read horror stories in history.

5. Background to the story
The British in India
Most of Jacob's stories are set in Britain. One of the characters is an officer in the British Army and served in India during the British occupation of the country. British rule ended in 1947, and today it is an independent country.

6. Definitions
Stage directions can establish the setting, give the actors directions, and also tell the actors how to move (enter, exit, etc.). They are given at the beginning of each scene.
Character directions are directions given for a specific character in a drama. They are usually in italics next to the name of the person speaking.
A playwright is a person who writes plays.

7. What is the purpose of the stage directions offered at the beginning of the play?

8. The playwright uses the sound of rain and thunder at the beginning of the play mainly to---

9. These stage directions and indicate what about Morris?
Herbert: Well why don’t you wish on it, then?
Morris: (sadly). I have
These stage directions and indicate what about Morris?

10. What feeling do you get from the dialogue between the Whites and Sergeant-Major Morris?

11. What is the meaning of the word monsoon, as it is used in Scene 1 of the play?

12. Morris (stubbornly). I won’t. I threw it on the fire
Morris (stubbornly). I won’t. I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don’t blame me for what happens. If you’re smart, you’ll throw it back in the fire.
Mr. Morris’s dialogue suggests that he---

13. What is the purpose for the stage directions above from scene 2?
(She breaks off suddenly, understanding, and stares at the STRANGER in growing horror. The STRANGER looks at the floor. MRS. WHITE takes her husband's hand. There is a long pause.)
What is the purpose for the stage directions above from scene 2?

14. Based on the meaning of the prefix “dis-” which means to undo, do the opposite, or free from, what do you think disclaim means?

15. What is the meaning of the word compensation, as it is used in Scene 2 of the play?

16. Exit Ticket
Students will make an inference about what Mr. White wished for, and discuss what they think might have happened to the Whites after they lost their son. Provide text evidence.