Comparing the Existence of Monstrosity in Novels

Comparing the Existence of Monstrosity in Novels

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Monstrosity is a term used to describe a state where a monster exists. A monster can be defined as an imaginary animal, plant or another any other being that not purely its form. It can also be a person that is inhuman, wicked or evil. Monsters have for a long time been viewed as objects of horror and fascination. They are mostly imaginary beings displayed in movies, comic books and even in literature. Their origin comes from the century-long separation between humans and animals. In the verge of establishing a link between the two, monsters were created. Most of the monsters are displayed as having both animal and human forms. Monstrosity also brings to light the modern problem where order becomes disorder; the normal becomes abnormal, and the ground of humanity starts giving away to the various societal abnormalities. Their role in most cases is to instill fear and people have to face them to overcome their problems. The significance of monstrosity has been seen in various disciplines. For instance, the increased thematization of monsters and the extraordinary has fueled deep questioning of scientific aspects such as rationality and order. Although science has picked up monstrosity greatly, other disciplines and especially literature have also been receptive to monstrosity. In reality, the existence of monsters in abnormal forms is almost impossible. The same cannot be said for literature as it accommodates fiction and fantasy. Here, the monsters continue to leave their mark and continue to entertain and display the creativity applied in the literature. This paper focuses on monstrosity in literature and compares the existence of monstrosity in two novels. These are The Hound of the Baskervilles by Conan Doyle and The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs. Many of the monsters present in the readings have all been human created either mentally, literally or emotionally.

The Monkey’s Paw is a short three part story (The first wish, The second wish, The last wish) with four main characters. They are Mr. White, his wife, his son Herbert and his friend Sergeant-Major Morris. The story begins when Morris knocks at the White’s residence where he is welcomed. The family and friend had a good time and told stories as they sipped on whiskey. Morris told stories about war and finally speaks of a magical monkey’s paw that he owned. He told the whites that with the paw, they would be granted three wishes as it had a spell by an aged fakir. The sergeant and Mr. White trade. Mr. White’s first wish is for him to receive 200 pounds. Later, a man visits the White’s and informs them that their son is dead and then gives them 200 pounds as they had wished. In the second part, Mr. White does not want to make the second wish but is forced by his wife to wish that their son comes back to life, and he does. They then hear the knock on the door and Mrs. White rushes to open the door thinking that Herbert has returned. At that same time, Mr. White I desperately looking for the paw and makes the third wish just as the door opens. Upon opening, there is no one at the door, and only a sharp wind enters through the door. The writer leaves the reader in suspense because he does not reveal what Mr. White's third wish was.