The Monkey's Paw

The Sargeant-Major alludes to the negative aspects of the paw from the start. He tells the Whites that first man who wished, made his last wish for death. He doesn't talk about his own wishes in detail, but he does say that he doesn't know if he'd take the chance again. Finally, the Sargeant-Major throws the paw into the fire, a sure signal that there is nothing positive to be gained.