Read the passage.

the storm

i was home alone one night while an apocalyptic storm raged outside, rain beating incessantly on the roof, wind causing the branches of the ancient oak tree to scratch against my window like deathly fingers.

suddenly, the lights went out. i scrambled to find a flashlight, only to discover that it would not turn on. shaking it wildly, i soon realized that the batteries were dead. my pulse had just returned to normal when i heard pounding on the door. as i tiptoed to look out the window, i caught a glimpse of my stricken expression in the hall mirror and valiantly tried to swallow my terror.

there, standing on the front porch, was my older brother, drenched from head to toe and glowering at me through his dripping hair.

how does the author create surprise in “the storm”?

a) the personification of the trees and the wind shocks readers; it is unusual for someone to be this afraid of a storm.

b) the description of the storm creates a somber mood; this contrasts the narrator’s happiness upon seeing his brother.

c) the first two paragraphs build tension, making the reader think something horrible is about to happen.

d) the vivid and terrifying description of the storm and house contrast the narrator’s expectations.

"the monkey's paw" is a rare story in that the theme is actually stated in the story. sgt. maj. morris tells the whites that the old fakir who put the spell on the paw said, "fate rules people's lives and those who interfere with fate do so to their sorrow." the message is a warning, but mr. white doesn't believe it. even though sgt. maj. morris makes it clear that he tried wishing with unfortunate results and he tries to throw the paw on the fire,   mr. white makes a wish for 200 pounds only to find that he receives the money when herbert dies in a factory accident. according to the fakir, then, because mr. white had wished for something he should not have had, his son lost his life.

the second wish that mrs. white encourages him to make is for herbert's return--one week after his death. when the strange knocking begins at the door during the windy night, mr. white panicks, believing that the previously dead but still mangled herbert could have walked home from the cemetary and is now at the door. because he fears what his wife will find if she opens the door, mr. white makes his third wish--for the noise to stop.

therefore, he uses his three wishes and to his sorrow, loses his son and disappoints his wife, who fervently believed that their son was at the door. she wanted him back, regardless of his condition.

explanation: