Fate has always been a topic of interest for most of us. As young children, we take fate for granted but we believe in destiny. As adults however we start looking at fate a bit differently and we learn that fate can take many twists and turns and in general can be unpredictable.
Simply put, we believe that unpredictability of fate is interesting. It has fascinated us for thousands of years. A simple example is that we believe that fate shapes our destiny and our choices. It is a way of saying that our lives are not entirely within our control. Another way of saying it is that unforeseen things can happen at any moment. Some may be small and just impact us for the moment while other can end up shaping the course of our lives in that too in ways which we can totally never imagine.
Many short stories have been written by authors of both the past and the present about the twists of fate. “The Monkey’s Paw” and “The Princess and the Pea” are two very famous short stories that have been famous since forever. Let’s discuss about those.
While they may seem very different on the surface, they both deal with themes of fate, chance, and the unexpected. In this analysis, we will examine these two stories and explore how the authors use these themes to create compelling narratives.
The Monkey’s Paw
Lets start off with an analysis of the monkey’s paw. “The Monkey’s Paw” is a horror story written by W.W. Jacobs in 1902. The story follows the White family, who receive a cursed monkey’s paw from a friend who has recently returned from India. The paw has the power to grant three wishes, but with each wish comes a terrible and unknown consequence. The story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the unpredictability of fate.
One of the key themes in “The Monkey’s Paw” is the idea that every action has a consequence, planned or unplanned. The characters in the story are warned about the paw’s power, but they ignore the warnings and make their wishes anyway. The consequences of their actions are disastrous, and the story ends with a sense of horror and foreboding.
Another theme in “The Monkey’s Paw” is the idea of fate. The characters believe that the paw can change their destiny, but in reality, their fate is already predetermined. The paw merely accelerates the process and brings their doom upon them more quickly. This idea of fate is reinforced by the fact that the White family cannot escape their destiny, no matter how hard they try.
The princess and the pea
“The Princess and the Pea” is a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1835. The story tells the tale of a prince who is searching for a true princess to marry. One stormy night, a young woman arrives at the palace claiming to be a princess. To test her claim, the queen places a pea under twenty mattresses and twenty feather beds. The next morning, the young woman complains about how uncomfortable the bed was, proving that she is a true princess.
One of the key themes in “The Princess and the Pea” is the idea of chance. The young woman who arrives at the palace is not seeking to become a princess, but by chance, she happens to be one. Similarly, the pea that the queen places under the mattresses is a small, insignificant object, but it ultimately determines the young woman’s fate.
Another theme in “The Princess and the Pea” is the idea of the unexpected. The young woman who arrives at the palace is not what the prince and queen were expecting. She is unkempt and disheveled, and her claim to be a princess seems far-fetched. However, she proves herself to be a true princess by her sensitivity to the pea under the mattresses. This unexpected turn of events leads to the young woman’s happily ever after.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Monkey’s Paw” and “The Princess and the Pea” are two classic short stories that deal with themes of fate, chance, and the unexpected. While they may seem very different on the surface, they share a common thread of cautionary tales
In both stories, the authors use vivid imagery and descriptive language to bring their narratives to life. In “The Monkey’s Paw,” Jacobs creates a sense of foreboding by describing the paw as mummified and dreadful” The stormy night on which the young woman arrives at the palace in “The Princess and the Pea” is described in great detail, creating a sense of tension and anticipation.
The authors also use symbolism to reinforce their themes. In “The Monkey’s Paw,” the paw symbolizes the dangers of greed and the unpredictability of fate. In “The Princess and the Pea,” the pea symbolizes the idea that small, insignificant things can have a big impact on our lives.
