Read this passage from “The Monkey’s Paw.” What effect is created through the author’s use of sentence structure and variety?

He went down in the darkness, and felt his way to the parlour, and then to the mantlepiece. The talisman was in its place, and a horrible fear that the unspoken wish might bring his mutilated son before him ere he could escape from the room seized up on him, and he caught his breath as he found that he had lost the direction of the door. His brow cold with sweat, he felt his way round the table, and groped along the wall until he found himself in the small passage with the unwholesome thing in his hand.

Even his wife's face seemed changed as he entered the room. It was white and expectant, and to his fears seemed to have an unnatural look upon it. He was afraid of her.

"Wish!" she cried in a strong voice.

"It is foolish and wicked," he faltered.

"Wish!" repeated his wife.


The long sentences create tension while the short sentences add comic relief.


The long sentences help the reader keep track of what is going on, while the short sentences add description to the scene.


The long sentences emphasize Mr. White’s confusion and hesitation, and the short sentences show Mrs. White’s forcefulness.


The long sentences create a mood of leisurely relaxation, and the short sentences add realism.