“Horror Elements in The Monkey's Paw and 14...

“Horror Elements in The Monkey's Paw and 1408: A Comparative Analysis of Literary and Cinematic Adaptations”

Author Name : Salim Nisar Shaikh

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56025/IJARESM.2025.1303252519

ABSTRACT This research article examines the horror elements in W.W. Jacobs' short play The Monkey's Paw (1902) and its short film adaptation by Rickey Lewis Jr. (2011), alongside Stephen King's short story 1408 (1999) and its film adaptation by Mikael Håfström (2007). The study employs a qualitative comparative analysis to explore how horror is constructed in the literary and cinematic versions of these works. By analyzing themes such as fear of the unknown, supernatural intervention, and psychological terror, the article highlights the unique ways in which horror is adapted across mediums. The findings reveal that while both works rely on suspense and dread, The Monkey's Paw emphasizes the consequences of tampering with fate, using a slow buildup of tension and tragic irony to evoke horror. In contrast, 1408 delves into the psychological unraveling of its protagonist, employing claustrophobic settings and surreal imagery to create a sense of existential dread. The film adaptations enhance these elements through visual and auditory techniques, such as eerie lighting, sound design, and special effects, while remaining faithful to the thematic core of the original texts.