The Monkey's Paw Lesson Plan

Tempting Fate

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students will be able to explore different perspectives on fate in The Monkey's Paw.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.4

Structure:

In this creative writing exercise, students should consider the ethics of using the monkey’s paw from the perspective of one of the characters (Mr. White, Mrs. White, Herbert, or Sergeant-Major Morris). Are the Whites recklessly abusing magic & punished for their hubris? Are they simply pawns of inevitable fate? Individually, students may be given time to write their assignments,...