How do the reactions of the mother and father change throughout the story? The Monkey's Paw

I would also say that when the family first hears the story of the monkey's paw, their curiosity is really about hearing a tale of magic and intrigue, almost like one who sits around a campfire and awaits a scary story, just for the thrill of it. After all, Mr. White complains early in the story about living so far out in the country that no one really stops by, especially on a night such as Jacobs describes, with its wind and rain. Truly, Jacobs sets the scene to be a scary story with the dismal opening.

When the Whites first see the monkey's paw, Mrs. White "drew back with a grimace, but her son, taking it, examined it curiously." Mr. White also takes the paw and examines it, though no descriptors are given about his reaction.

Once the family is in possession of the "talisman," they still treat the monkey's paw as if it is a joke, but when Mr. White makes his first wish, "a fine crash from the piano greeted his words, interrupted by a shuddering cry" from Mr. White, which frightens Mrs. White and Herbert. Mr. White claims that the paw moved when he wished, which causes the family to doubt their initial mirth at the story the soldier told. In the morning, however, they return to their disbelief.

By the end, when the wish of 200 pounds is granted in lieu of Herbert's death, and then the second wish seems to bring Herbert back to life, Mr. and Mrs. White both believe in the power of the paw, so much so that Mr. White uses his last wish to wish that Herbert returns to the dead.

Change in the reactions of mother and father throughout the story of The Monkey's Paw:

All through the story the reactions of the father and mother alter in sync with the expectations of the reader and the desired realism and suspense of dealing with the supernatural.

The first time the mother sees the talisman, she shows her aversion to it while the father is quite interesting and seems curious and desperate enough to own it.

When Mr. White takes hold of it snatching it off fire and asks Sergeant Morris to tell him how to make a wish and after the sergeant instructs him on that, warning him of consequences, the mother is seen being in a lighter vein asking her husband to wish for four pairs of hands for her.

All three of the family enjoy a laugh. After the wish both the husband and the wife get anxious as the husband says he had seen the Paw moving. The wife though disturbed herself, tries to soothe the husband telling him it must be his imagination. The atmosphere and uncertainty now oppresses the mother and the father both along with the son.

On getting the news about the sudden demise of their son due to an accident, the father faints and the mother screams in pain. They are devastated. The father and the mother are seen desperate to get the son back though the father is more horrified. Fear of the unknown outcomes and desperation to restore life continue as they make the third wish. It is then that the story ends.