Which quote from "The Monkey's Paw" best illustrates the story's theme?

Question

“If the tale about the monkey’s paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us,” said Herbert, as the door closed behind their guest, “we shan’t make much out of it."

“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.”

He began to talk, the little family circle regarding with eager interest this visitor from distant parts, as he squared his broad shoulders in the chair and spoke of wild scenes and doughty deeds; of wars and plagues.

“Well, it’s just a bit of what you might call magic, perhaps,” said the sergeant-major off-handedly.

Answer 1

The quote that best illustrates the theme of "The Monkey's Paw" is:

“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.”

This quote encapsulates the central theme of the story: the dangers of tampering with fate and the consequences of human desires. It suggests that while the monkey's paw can grant wishes, those wishes often come with unforeseen and tragic outcomes, emphasizing the idea that not all wishes should be granted. The reference to the first man's ultimate wish for death serves as a warning about the inherent risks involved in trying to manipulate one's destiny.