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 highlights the cautionary nature of the story's theme, which warns about the consequences of tampering with fate and the inherent dangers of wishing for more than one is meant to have. It suggests that while wishes may seem enticing, they can lead to dire outcomes, ultimately showing the tragic repercussions of seeking to control one's destiny.