What is "the monkey's paw"? What is Herbert White's attitude toward the monkey's paw?

The Monkey's paw is from India. It literally is a severed paw of a monkey. It is said to have magical powers to grant three wishes.

Herbert White's attitude toward the paw is filled with sarcasm and disbelief. He mocks the idea that the paw will somehow grant wishes,

'God, we’re going to be rich and famous and happy! Wish that you were an emperor, father, to begin with. Then mother won’t order you around.’