Question
Read the excerpt from “The Monkey's Paw.”
"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?"
"Might drop on his head from the sky," said the frivolous Herbert.
"Morris said the things happened so naturally," said his father, "that you might if you so wished attribute it to coincidence."
"Well, don't break into the money before I come back," said Herbert as he rose from the table. "I'm afraid it'll turn you into a mean, avaricious man, and we shall have to disown you."
How does Herbert react after his father has wished for two hundred pounds?
He is afraid his father will become greedy.
He is respectful of the power of the monkey’s paw.
He is trying to lighten the mood with humor.
He does not believe the paw holds magic.
"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?"
"Might drop on his head from the sky," said the frivolous Herbert.
"Morris said the things happened so naturally," said his father, "that you might if you so wished attribute it to coincidence."
"Well, don't break into the money before I come back," said Herbert as he rose from the table. "I'm afraid it'll turn you into a mean, avaricious man, and we shall have to disown you."
How does Herbert react after his father has wished for two hundred pounds?
He is afraid his father will become greedy.
He is respectful of the power of the monkey’s paw.
He is trying to lighten the mood with humor.
He does not believe the paw holds magic.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Herbert is trying to lighten the mood with humor. His remarks about how the wish could lead to negative consequences and his humorous suggestion that money might drop on his father's head indicate that he is not seriously concerned and is using humor to address the situation.