Monkeys Paw and the Third Wish Compare

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Every choice has its consequence. Good or bad, it’s unavoidable. “The Monkeys Paw” by W.W. Jacobs and “The Third Wish” by Joan Aiken are short stories about two men, Mr. White and Mr. Peters, learn that every choice they made came with a consequence. There are many similarities and differences in the choices of the main characters in “The Monkeys Paw” and “The Third Wish” that affect the resolutions of the stories. There are several similarities between the two main characters in the “The Monkeys Paw” and “The Third Wish’s” choices. Mr. White and Mr. Peters both receive three wishes and are warned of the consequences that could come with them. For example, Sargent Major Morris says “…but I warn you of the consequences” to Mr. White and is warned, to use his three wishes wisely and sensibly. In “The Third Wish”, Mr. Peters is warned by the King of Forest, who tells him that no humans wish wisely, almost all humans end up using their second or third wish to fix their first wishes. Another similarity between the two is both men in these stories are content with their lives. They are not greedy men, and seem to have everything they want. An example of this is in “The Monkeys Paw” Mr. White says “it seems to me I’ve got all I want.” All Mr. White wishes for in his first wish is for two-hundred pounds to pay off his house. Mr. Peters uses his first wish for someone with whom he can share the rest of his life with. Also, in both stories, there were unforeseen consequences from the first wish, making them need to use their second wish to fix it. Clearly, there are many similarities with the choices of Mr. White and Mr. Peter. However, it is with their second wish that things become different. Despite their many similarities, Mr. White’s choices are very different then Mr. Peters too. Mr. White’s second wish was for his son to be alive again. He used this wish in fear of

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