MONKEYS PAWS:
He was caught in the machinery, said the visitor at length in a low voice.
Caught in the machinery, repeated Mr. White, in a dazed fashion, yes.
Herbert Whites death has a literal meaning and two metaphorical meanings. Literally,
Herbert died because he became entangled in the machinery, his body so mangled that Mr.
White was able to identify his son only by examining his clothes. Metaphorically, however,
Herbert died because after being caught in the machinery of fate, which went awry after Mr.
White tampered with fate by making his wish for more money. A subtler metaphorical
meaning has to do with Herberts employer. An undercurrent of class consciousness runs
through The Monkeys Paw, a story that concerns the fate of three lower-middle-class
people. It is possible to read the Whites dire fate not as something they brought upon
themselves through greediness, but instead as the unfair effect of a modest wish made by a
family struggling with debts and a small income. Jacobs suggests that anyone, even the most
moral reader, would behave exactly as the Whites did, making a small, practical wish just to
see what might happen.
Jacobs uses Herberts death to suggest that society is unfair to the good, hardworking people
in the lower classes. Evidence of this worldview comes in the form of the Maw and Meggins
representative, who shamefacedly announces that his company will decline to take any
responsibility for the accident, but will effectively offer Mr. and Mrs. White a bribe to keep
quiet. The first word of the company name, maw, means voracious, gaping mouth. The
suggestion is that Herbert has been swallowed whole by a cruel world, and all because of one
understandable wish made by a man who simply wants to own his own house.
[H]e found the monkeys paw, and frantically breathed his third and last wish. The
knocking ceased suddenly . . . a long loud wail of disappointment and misery from his
wife gave him courage to run down to her side, and then to the gate beyond. The street
lamp flickering opposite shone on a quiet and deserted road.
The ambiguity of these final lines makes it possible to read The Monkeys Paw as
something other than a horror story or cautionary tale. We never see Herberts walking corpse
with our own eyes, and neither do Mr. White, who is cowering upstairs, or Mrs. White, who
cannot manage to open the door in time. One could therefore argue that the monkeys paw
holds no power at all and that Herbert would have died had Mr. White never even made the
wish. The frantic knocking at the door is perhaps someone else entirely who goes away just
as Mr. White makes his third wish. The plausibility of this interpretation adds a new
dimension to The Monkeys Paw, making it more than just another horror story.
Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the
blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.
The opening line of the story succinctly fulfills one of the greatest necessities for a story that
impinges upon the macabre or horrific: it creates a setting and mood perfectly appropriate for
the strange tale that is about to come. A story like The Monkeys Paw could certainly have
been effective at the time of original publication if the mood were set with a description of a
bright, sunny, cloudless day, but that would not retain quite the same power to invoke in the
reader a deep expectation of doom.
"That's the worst of living so far outof all the beastly, slushy, out-of-the-way places to
live in, this is the worst. Pathway's a bog, and the road's a torrent.
This is another terrific example of how Jacobs so effectively sets the tone for his story.
Firstly, by putting this description into the mouth of a character, it becomes more palpable
than if it had been mere narration. This is a subjective opinion of a place, not objective
description. Secondly, the subjective opinion subtly informs us that Mr. White is not exactly
content with his lot in life. And, finally, what fantastically evocative imagery! Any reader
who cant picture exactly where this story is set by the time they reach the end of Mr. Whites
tirade probably just needs to pack it in and go rent a movie version of the storyor watch the
parody of The Monkeys Paw on one of the earliest entries in The Simpsons "Treehouse of
Horror" Halloween anthology specials.
"What was that you started telling me the other day about a monkey's paw or
something, Morris?"
Mr. Whites query is the first time that monkeys paw is mentioned by name. The brusque
manner in which Morris hastily changes the subject provides a bit of foreshadowing while
further underlining the disquieting mood set up by the story's descriptive opening line.
"It had a spell put on it by an old fakir.
Morris eventually tells the truth about the talisman. Jacobs provides quite a bit of meaning
within a short sentence, only needing a eleven words to provide the reader with more than
enough information about the monkeys paw to allow the reader to take off on their own
flight of fancy. Even if one is not familiar with what a fakir is, the word itself if enough to
conjure up the exotic and unfamiliar.
"They admit no liability at all, but in consideration of your son's services they wish to
present you with a certain sum as compensation."
In a story with a plot that is so far removed from reality, it becomes essential for the purpose
of maintaining its effectiveness as horror to situate the story within a world as recognizably
ordinary as possible. Perhaps no other quote from The Monkeys Paw feels quite as real as
this one, in which business and insurance collude to deny responsibility and escape
punishment. Of course, the arrival of a messenger with a token payment for a human life also
lends the consequences of the wish upon the paw a sense of believability: it could be that
everything that seems to occur as a result of the supernatural is, in reality, mere coincidence.
He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it
did so to their sorrow.
The Sergeant-Major is still speaking of the fakir here, and this quote can effectively serve as
the storys overarching theme. Just like Frankenstein is a warning about tampering in Gods
domain, this macabre little tale is a warning about trying to tamper with fate. One might say it
is the secular version of that warning about Gods domainor at least the non-denominational
version.
"For God's sake, don't let it in."
The final wish upon a monkeys paw seems to become true in a way every bit as gruesome as
the first two. The feverish horror with which Mr. White is trying to keep his wife from letting
in the uninvited guest is in reference to the resurrected mangled corpse of his son. Most
interesting about this quote, however, is the singular importance of the pronoun choice that
Mr. White utilizes in reference to the specter of his reconstituted child, returned home on the
wings of a wish that worked too well.
Monkey's paw?" said Mrs. White, curiously.
"Well, it's just a bit of what you might call magic, perhaps," said the sergeant-major,
offhandedly. (1.21)
Does Morris actually believe in magic, or is he just playing with the Whites?
"It had a spell put on it by an old fakir," said the sergeant-major, "a very holy man. [...]
He put a spell on it so that three separate men could each have three wishes from it."
(1.26)
Why would a holy man make something evil? To teach people a lesson? In some ways this
passage can be seen as a reflection of misconceptions about India in the early 1900s, and the
public's fascination with stories of magic and mysticism from afar.
The soldier shook his head. "Fancy, I suppose," he said, slowly. "I did have some idea of
selling it, but I don't think I will. It has caused enough mischief already. Besides, people
won't buy. They think it's a fairy tale; some of them, and those who do think anything of
it want to try it first and pay me afterward." (1.36)
The paw is closely associated with money. Morris wants to sell it. Mr. White, it seems, does
actually pay him for it. And Mr. White's first wish is for money. Still, it's hard to say this is a
story warning against greed, since all Mr. White wants to do is pay off his debt. Why stop at
200 pounds, after all?
He took the paw, and dangling it between his forefinger and thumb, suddenly threw it
upon the fire. White, with a slight cry, stooped down and snatched it off.
"Better let it burn," said the soldier, solemnly.
"If you don't want it, Morris," said the other, "give it to me." (1.41)
Mr. White claims he has everything he wants and doesn't need to wish for anything but he
wants the paw even more when he sees he's about to lose it. This suggests that beneath his
happy exterior he is unsatisfied with some aspects of his life and isn't about to let a chance to
change it go by. Does the paw itself compel him to wish on it, or is he denying the truth of his
life?
He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. The last face
was so horrible and so simian [monkey-like] that he gazed at it in amazement. It got so
vivid that, with a little uneasy laugh, he felt on the table for a glass containing a little
water to throw over it. His hand grasped the monkey's paw, and with a little shiver he
wiped his hand on his coat and went up to bed. (1.66)
This passage reveals that even practical Herbert is susceptible to belief in the supernatural. Is
he just tired and a little tipsy, or does the monkey actually appear before him? Either way, this
moment foreshadows the fact that Herbert will become the victim of the monkey's wrath or
of a terrible accident that is simply the result of unsafe working conditions.
But her husband was on his hands and knees groping wildly on the floor in search of the
paw. If he could only find it before the thing outside got in. (3.48)
Mr. White definitely believes the paw has real powers at this point in the story. Do you?
Would you be convinced without actually seeing undead Herbert with your own eyes?
"If you only cleared the house, you'd be quite happy, wouldn't you?" said Herbert, with
his hand on his shoulder. "Well, wish for two hundred pounds, then; that'll just do it."
(1.55)
Next to food and love, what is the number one thing a family needs? A place to live, right?
The Whites, we learn here, have to pay the bank every month or they will lose their home.
Notice that it's Herbert bringing this up. Since he's the one working, it's probably up to him to
make this monthly payment. Although he seems cheery about it here, it probably causes him
a lot of stress.
"He was the only one left to us," he said, turning gently to the visitor. "It is hard." (2.23)
These two brief sentences from Mr. White reveal that Herbert was not their only child. We
aren't given any details beyond this, but the point is made: the Whites have been through this
before. They have now outlived all their children.
It was all over so quickly that at first they could hardly realize it, and remained in a
state of expectation as though of something else to happen--something else which was to
lighten this load, too heavy for old hearts to bear. (3.1)
These lines foreshadow Mrs. White's crazy plan to use the paw to put what's left of her family
back together again. Do you think Mr. and Mrs. White will ever be able to find happiness
again? Can they find comfort in each other?
Bring him back," cried the old woman, and dragged him toward the door. "Do you
think I fear the child I have nursed?" (3.25)
Have you ever wanted something so badly that you ignore the risks and just focus on the
possible benefits? Mrs. White misses her son so badly that she doesn't think about the fact
that his body was, as Mr. White points out, horribly mangled and has been dead for ten days.
If Herbert comes back like that, he may be pain. If you've seen any zombie movies, you know
he'll also probably be murderous and maybe even hungry for human brains.
"You're afraid of your own son," she cried, struggling. "Let me go. I'm coming,
Herbert; I'm coming." (3.45)
Mrs. White isn't being fair here, and Mr. White is able to see clearly enough to recognize this.
He has learned his lesson about wishing hastily. He can see all the problems that undead
Herbert might bring.
"It had a spell put on it by an old fakir," said the sergeant-major, "a very holy man. He
wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did
so to their sorrow. He put a spell on it so that three separate men could each have three
wishes from it." (1.26)
This implies that the paw is just plain evil, that any wish made on it will have bad
consequences. It sounds like a caution against using magic to change the course of our lives.
Since most of us don't have access to magic, it could be read as warning against trying to get
things the easy way, or against taking unnecessary risks such as gambling.
"If you could have another three wishes," said the old man, eyeing him keenly, "would
you have them?" []
"I don't know," said the other. "I don't know." (1.38)
The paw seems to bring out greed and desire in those who come in contact with it. To some
degree, it seems to have the power to rob people of their free will.
"I suppose all old soldiers are the same," said Mrs White. "The idea of our listening to
such nonsense! How could wishes be granted in these days? And if they could, how
could two hundred pounds hurt you, father?" (2.2)
Here's what Mrs. White is basically saying: since the paw can't really grant wishes, there can't
be any harm in wishing on it. Later it seems she really does believe in the paw and is trying to
convince her husband to use it. This helps us see that beneath her cheerful demeanor, she is a
little desperate for anything that might turn their lives around.
"The firm wished me to convey their sincere sympathy with you in your great loss," he
said, without looking round. "I beg that you will understand I am only their servant and
merely obeying orders." (2.25)
The man from Maw and Meggins (probably the company that owns the factory where
Herbert worked) explains that he doesn't necessarily agree with what he's about to do. He
doesn't want the Whites to think he is as unfeeling as the firm he works for. Like the Whites,
he seems to feel his life is out of his own control. He is caught between his own will and the
will of his employers. Is he as powerless as he claims?
"No," she cried, triumphantly; "we'll have one more. Go down and get it quickly, and
wish our boy alive again." (3.17)
Mrs. White is used to being able to control her husband. Here she is able to convince him to
wish Herbert alive, even though he really doesn't want to. What gives her this power over
him?
"We had the first wish granted," said the old woman, feverishly; "why not the second."
"A coincidence," stammered the old man. (3.22)
Here Mr. White is making an argument that Herbert's death happened because of the
dangerous conditions where he worked. He doesn't want to believe he caused Herbert's death
by wishing on the paw. The fact that he stammers these words suggests that he isn't entirely
convinced of this.
He heard the creaking of the bolt as it came slowly back, and at the same moment he
found the monkey's paw, and frantically breathed his third and last wish. (3.48)
We don't know what Mr. White wishes here. The important thing is that he makes the wish on
his own, free of his wife's or son's influence, based on what he thinks is right.
"That's the worst of living so far out," bawled Mr. White, with sudden and unlooked-
for violence; "of all the beastly, slushy, out-of-the-way places to live in, this is the worst.
Pathway's a bog, and the road's a torrent. I don't know what people are thinking about.
I suppose because only two houses on the road are let, they think it doesn't matter."
(1.6)
This passage points to the movement of people from isolated rural areas into the cities during
the early 1900s in England. The Whites only have one neighbor and don't get many visitors
because their place is hard to get to.
"Twenty-one years of it," said Mr. White, nodding at his wife and son. "When
[Sergeant-Major Morris] went away he was a slip of a youth in the warehouse. Now
look at him." (1.14)
Morris has spent most of his life in India in the army. He's bringing back new ideas to
England, as represented by the paw. This is another aspect of modernization, the exchange of
ideas as people from very different cultures interact.
"I'd like to go to India myself," said the old man, "just to look round a bit, you know."
(1.16)
"Better where you are," said the sergeant-major, shaking his head. He put down the
empty glass, and sighing softly, shook it again. (1.17)
Mr. White has been unable to participate in the changes going on in the world. He is isolated
from the exploration of different lands, and from the factory life in the city. Whether he likes
it or not, these things will intrude on his happy life before the story ends.
He was caught in the machinery," said the visitor at length, in a low voice.
"Caught in the machinery," repeated Mr. White, in a dazed fashion, "yes." (2.22)
This is our first clue about the kind of work Herbert does. Factory jobs were common for men
in England in the early 1900s. This work was dangerous, due to the lack of laws protecting
workers and the fact that machines were still being perfected. These lines also reflect the
sense of powerlessness that pervades the story. Everybody seems caught in the machinery of
life, unable to find happiness.
"I was to say that Maw and Meggins disclaim all responsibility," continued the other.
"They admit no liability at all, but in consideration of your son's services they wish to
present you with a certain sum as compensation." (2.25)
As machines became more and more a part of human life, the people who own them came to
be seen as cold and unfeeling. Herbert seems almost disposable to his employers; he is only
valuable as a person who can operate a machine. Do we still have anxieties about machines
today?
"The first man had his three wishes, yes," was the reply. "I don't know what the first
two were, but the third was for death. That's how I got the paw." (1.33)
Wow, pretty strong warning there, but it's softened by Morris' claim that he has wished on the
paw and he's obviously still alive. (But we don't know whether anybody close to him died
after he used the paw.) This statement foreshadows the fact that a death will occur in the
story.
"Is he hurt?" demanded the mother.
The visitor bowed in assent. "Badly hurt," he said quietly, "but he is not in any pain."
(2.17)
Herbert isn't in any pain because he's dead. That's a pretty creepy thing to say, don't you
think? If you had to tell somebody her loved one was dead, would you use a direct or indirect
approach?
"He was the only one left to us," he said, turning gently to the visitor. "It is hard." (2.23)
Jacobs is a master of saying a lot in just a few words. It seems very significant that there were
other White children who died. It lets us know that the Whites are no strangers to grief and
death.
In the huge new cemetery, some two miles distant, the old people buried their dead, and
came back to a house steeped in shadow and silence. (3.1)
Herbert's death transforms the White's home from a happy place to one of sadness, grief, and
darkness. Will the Whites ever be able to make their home happy again?
"Go and get it and wish," cried his wife, quivering with excitement.
The old man turned and regarded her, and his voice shook. "He has been dead ten days,
and besides he I would not tell you else, but I could only recognize him by his
clothing. If he was too terrible for you to see then, how now?" (3.24)
Mr. White understands the way this whole wishing thing works, but he wishes Herbert back
to life anyway without specifying that the grave rot and physical disfigurement not be
included in the package. This passage gets at our fears of death and dead people. Notice how
Mrs. White's grief causes her to forget these fears.
He raised his hand. "I wish my son alive again." (3.31)
We never come face to face with the undead Herbert, and are therefore never sure if he does
come back to life again.
1. What time of day does this book start?
Night.
2. Where is Mrs. White at the beginning of the book?
Her home.
3. What is Mr. White playing at the beginning of the book?
Chess.
4. Who is Mr. White playing a game with at the beginning of the book?
His son.
5. Whom is Mr. White waiting for at the beginning of the book?
His friend.
6. What is the name of Mr. White's son?
Herbert.
7. What is Mrs. White doing at the beginning of the book?
Knitting.
8. What is the weather like at the beginning of the book?
Cold.
9. What is the name of the White's house?
Lakesnam Villa.
What year was the story published?
1920
1899
1902
1910
2 The story is in the genre of
tragedy
horror
satire
comedy
3 What is the weather like at the beginning of the story?
Rainy
Temperate
Snowy
Warm
4 What game are Mr. White and his son playing?
Checkers
Billiards
Ches
Cards
5 What is Mrs. White doing?
Sleeping
Reading
Sewing
Playing piano
6 What does Mr. White complain about?
The game
The weather
The servants
How isolated the house is
7 Sergeant-Major Morris is described as
burly
fat
effeminate
shy
8 What does Morris drink?
Rum
Whiskey
Wine
Gin
9 What does Morris talk about?
His writings
His wealth
His travels
His family
10 Herbert can best be described as
pensive
quiet
youthful
cruel
11 Where did Morris work abroad?
Congo
India
South Africa
China
12 How does Morris seem to think of his time in India?
With weariness
With elation
With rage
With confusion
13 The paw is described as
fresh
red
dry
big
14 Who put the spell on the paw?
A magician
A fakir
A maharajah
A shaman
15 What did the fakir say ruled people's lives?
Luck
Fate
God
Love
16 What did the sergeant-major do with the paw?
Used two wishes
Used one wish
Did not use the wishes
Used all the wishes
17 The first man's last wish was for
love
money
more wishes
death
18 What does Morris do to the paw?
Throws it in the fire
Throws it outside
Smashes it
Hides it
19 What literary work does this whole thing remind Mrs. White of?
Macbeth
Arabian Nights
Paradise Lost
The Mysteries of Udolpho
20 Morris tells them to wish for something
fun
sensible
useful
lavish
21 Herbert says the family will have the following except
wealth
happiness
fame
power
22 Herbert tells his father to ask to be a/an
lord
fakir
king
emperor
23 What does Mr. White first say he thinks he should wish for?
Two hundred pounds
A new house
Fame
He does not know
24 How much money does White ask for?
Nine hundred pounds
Three hundred pounds
Four hundred pounds
Two hundred pounds
25 The money is to pay for
Herbert's education
their house
travels
new land
H. Munro-The Miracle Merchant
6.3 Detailed summary of the play:
Miracle Merchant is a one-act-play written in the year 1934 by and edited by
*Graham Greene. Only one single incident has been acted upon the stage by only four
characters named Mrs. Beauwhstle, her nephew Louis Courset, her Guest Jane
Martlet, her butler Sturridge and Page Boy. There is only one scene in the drama
where we find dialogue, action and character in full swing. The first one is slightly
satirical with a comic vein. Scene opens with Louiss demand of twenty pound from
Mrs. Beauwhstle. She was totally unwilling for it but Louis picks up a chance to
extract money from her as she delivers the news of Doras arrival. Dora Bittholz and
Jane Marlet are cut throat rival to each other. Louis informs Mrs. Beauwhstle that how
hazardous will be their meeting due to their dispute on a hen. He narrates the details
of their quarrel. Dora sold a hen of exotic breed to Jane at a rather exotic price but the
hen proved to be an abstainer from the egg habit. This turned them hostile towards
each other, they exchanged abuses through letters. Jane was willing to take back some
of her most libellous remarks on the condition of Doras taking back of hen. But Dora
refused to do that and jane also became adamant on her stand. The narration of this
incident made to Mrs. Beauwhistle by Louis, worried her because their meeting could
turn into a bloody encounter. Mrs. Beauwhistle was perplexed to think of the
95 | P a g e
consequences, she was unable to do anything. From here starts the comic plotting of
cunning Louis who designs to expel Jane out of the house so that when Dora comes
then there will be no meeting of the two and the dispute may be avoided. The comic
intrigue which was planned by Louis is the nucleus of the drama. It creates laughter as
well as irony for Louis in the end.
When Jane comes for breakfast Louis tells her of Sturridges cynical nature and his
delusions. Louis tells that Sturridge imagines Jane as some historical character. When
Jane asked him about the idea Sturridge has taken about her then Louis tells her that
he thinks her as Queen Anne and that irritates him very much. Louis tells her that
Sturridge thinks that she should be dead. Even after listening frightful news from
Louis, Jane shows her willingness to depart. After taking her breakfast she retires to
her room to write letters and becomes alert of Sturridge. Louis Further plans to expel
Jane out of the house and get twenty pound from his aunt Mrs. Beauwhistle. He asked
Strurridge to take the sword on the wall and take it to Jane because she wants to copy
out the inscription written on it, he specially cautions him to take it without sheath. As
Sturridge enters the room with necked sword, Jane thinks that he has come to kill her,
she comes out of room screaming out of fear, shouting Louiss name. Louis was
keeping an eye on all the happening under the shadow of stair case and was very
happy to find out that everything is taking place according to his plan. Page comes to
inquire about the time table for trains for Jane. Louis helps Page to gather Janes
belongings so that she can leave home as fast as possible. After Jane leaves the house
in hurry, Louis wants to inform Mrs. Beauwhistle about it and wants to take the
money from her for his expenses gladly but before he could deliver the news of Janes
departure, Mrs. Beauwhistle Informs him that Dora has sent a letter informing that she
cant come that month. After hearing this news Louis collapses on the chair because
all his effort of extracting money from Mrs. Beauwhistle has been failed. The moral
of the story is that as you sow as you reap.
Question Answer:
Q.1 Who is the central figure in the drama and why?
There are many characters in the play but Louis is considered to be the central figure
in the play because he is the centre of the action.
Q.4 Discuss the theme of the play.
A. The one act play The Miracle Merchant is unique one in its story and action.
The theme of the play is as you sow so shall you reap.
Q. 6 Which literary device has been used in the play?
A. Pun, has been used as a literary device in the play. Pun is a humorous use of
words producing two meanings simultaneously. H. H. Munro has made use of pun
in a artistic manner in the play to create humour. For example Wild goose chase, Tam
Oshanter, Nursed a Viper, Compose a Quarrel, Wagner
Opera etc
1.3 Annotations: Unit VI- H.H.Munro-The Miracle
Merchant
Used to be, yes; that is what makes them such bitter enemies now. Each
feels that she has nursed a viper in her bosom. Nothing fans the flame of
human resentment so much as the discovery that ones bosom has been
utilized as a snake sanatorium.
These lines have been taken from the one act play The Miracle Merchant by Hector
Hugh Munro, a modern writer. These lines describe the life in an Edwardian society.
The Miracle Merchant was written in the year 1934. In this drama only one single
incident has been depicted in a comic way but it reveals the basic qualities of the each
of the character.
Above mentioned lines are spoken by Louis the nephew of Mrs. Beauwhistle while he
was mentioning the reason of the quarrel between Jane and Dora, the two guests of
Mrs. Beauwhisle. He tells her the basic human instinct which guides everyone.
According to him enemies always assume that they have bitter feeling for their rival
that feeling makes them bitter enemies without any serious reason.
When Mrs. Beauwhistle wanted to know the reason of the tussle between Jane and
Dora then he told her that they were good friends but now they were turned into foes.
Before telling the exact incident he told her the psychological cause of their fight. He
said that their friendship only made them enemies. Each one of the two ladies thought
that she had vicious feeling for the other and that realization turned them into foes. He
further said that this realization of hatred in ones heart was more than enough to
inflame the indignation in human heart. What he means to say that our feelings are the
real cause of our action and reaction rather than circumstances or conditions.
This dialogue not only throws the light on the reason of the quarrel of the two ladies
but it high lights the character of Louis. Through this Dialogue we can understand that
Louis is a good judge of human psyche.
Critical comment:
In the minimum possible words H. H. Munro has not only revealed the situation but
flashed out the character of Louis heroic qualities. This dialogue gives a hint on the
further development of the story that being a good judge of human characters Louis
will utilize other characters for his purpose.
1.3.2
It would have been rather like composing the storm music of a Wagner opera.
Jane was willing to take back some of her most libelous remarks if Dora would
take back the hen.
These lines have been extracted from the one act drama The Miracle Merchant,
written by H. H. Munro the modern writer who depicted Edwardian life in his plays.
This one act comic play not only displays one single event but analyses the human
character also.
Above lines are spoken by Louis, the hero of the play. He explains the actual position
of Jane and Doras quarrel and their demands of reconciliation. Both were rigid on
their stand and didnt want to retreat back. They wanted other to rectify the mistake.
When Mrs. Beauwhistle inquired Louis that if there was no friend of Jane and Dora
who could pacify their quarrel then Louis said that to intervene between them means
intensifying their dispute. Both of them were vocal and abusive so if their matter
would be raised by anybody they again start fighting vigorously like the Wilhelm
Richard Wagners dramatic musical composition turned into a stormy one. He said
that Jane was eager to take back her some comments which injured the reputation of
Dora but the condition was that she should take back her hen which turned into an
abstainer.
Louis wanted to tell his aunt that the solution of dispute between Dora and Jane was
almost impossible. He presented the dispute in an aggravated form. By manipulating
her aunt in this way he wanted to extract money from her by presenting himself as a
problem solver.
Critical Comment:
H. H. Munro has used the simile for showing the graveness of the quarrel between
Jane and Dora.
1.3.3
Servants a nuisance! I should think they are! The trouble I have in getting suited
you would hardly believe. But I dont see what you have to complaint of your
aunt is so wonderfully lucky in her servants. Sturridge for instance - hes been
with her for years and Iam sure hes a jewel as butlers go.
These lines have been extracted from one act play The Miracle Merchant by H. H.
Munro, a modern writer who describes men and manners of the Edwardian society.
When Louis told Jane of the nuisance of servants, Jane without understanding his
selfish intentions appreciates Sturridge who was a sincere butler of Mrs. Beauwhistle.
When Louis criticizes attitudes of servants, Jane expresses her personal opinion about
them. She says that the servants may be irritating. The inconvenience which she faces
in adjusting with them is beyond his understanding. But as far as Louis is concerned
he might not be having any trouble with servants because his aunt Mrs. Beauwhistle
has a wonderful servant like Sturridge. She praises Sturridge by calling him a jewel.
While Louis wants to criticize Sturridge, Jane keeps a good opinion about Sturridge.
This statement of Jane tells the characteristic of Sturridge as a servant. As a servant he
is extraordinary that is why Mrs. Beauwhistle is lucky having him as a servant.
Critical Comment:
H. H. Munro makes us acquainted with Sturridge as a man of quality through the
dialogue of Jane in simple and direct words.
1.3.4
Poor Louis! Iam afraid Janes staying powers are superior to any amount of
hustling that you can bring to bear. [Enter Sturridge left; he begins clearing
breakfast thing.] I could have told you from the first that you were engaged to
wild goose chase.
This passage has been taken from H. H, Munros one act play The Miracle
Merchant which describes one single incident. In these lines Mrs. Beauwhistle
discourages the efforts of Louis who tries to turn Jane out of house to get his twenty
pounds.
When Louis told Mrs. Beauwhistle about his failure to turn Jane out of the house she
said to Louis that your trials to expel her were not as powerful as her staying power.
Mrs. Beauwhistle satirizes Louis for his failure to extract twenty pounds from her.
She said that to change the mentality of Jane is like a fruitless effort because it is
difficult to catch a wild goose and when caught, it is of no use. She points out Janes
adamant nature.
Through the dialogue of Mrs. Beauwhistle H. H. Munro tells us of Janes character.
She is very firm on her decisions. It is not easy for anybody to deviate her from her
stands.
Critical Comments:
H. H. Munro makes use of the metaphor of goose to show the real character of Jane
and Louis futile efforts.
1.3.5
Yes. All his life he has been accustomed to look on Queen Anne as the
personification of everything that is dead and done with as dead as Queen Anne,
you know and now he has to fill your glass at lunch and dinner and listen to your
account of the gay time you had at the Dublin Horse Show, and naturally he feels
that there is something scandalously wrong somewhere.
These lines have been taken from the one act play The Miracle Merchant written by
H. H. Munro who is a modern writer and pains an exclusive picture of Edwardian
society. In these lines Louis describes the whims which Sturridge nurtures about Jane.
According to Louis Sturridge thinks that Jane is Queen Anne who is dead. Sturridge
watches every action of Jane carefully.
Louis says that Sturridge has been accustomed to look at the dead things as Queen
Anne because Queen Anne died years ago. Sturridge listens carefully everything Jane
says and watches all the actions of Jane carefully because he thinks that something is
wrong with Jane because he assumes her as Queen Anne who is dead. What Louis
means to say that Louis perceives her as the ghost of Queen Anne.
By telling all false things about Sturridge, Louis wants to terrify Jane whom he wants
to turn out of the house to take twenty pounds from his aunt. In his effort he spoils the
good image of Sturridge which Jane has.
Critical Comment:
Through this dialogue H. H. Munro throws the light on the cunning and crafty
character of Louis who spoils the image of Sturride to horrify Jane. Louis uses the
psychological technique to turn Jane out of the house of his aunt.
