Hi, my name is Luis Loja and today we will talk about the narratives of “The Moonlit Road” and “The monkey’s paw”. Have you ever wondered how grief can distort our perception of reality?. Ambrose Bierce writes dark stories and in “the Moonlit Road” he tells a mysterious story about grief. While, W.W. Jaycobs “ The Monkey’s Paw” warns us about the dangers of getting what you wish for and getting precaution. That’s why in this Podcast, We will talk about the unreliable narrators, how the stories handle grief and madness in both stories and how these experiences affected my readings. Let's start with the unreliable narrator. In the “Moonlit Road” Ambrose Bierce, says "I am the most unfortunate of men." (Page 1). In other words he sees himself as a victim of the tragic but his viewpoint is filled with personal emotion and confusion. In which this makes us question how reliable his perspective really is. Now, in “the Monkey’s paw” we meet a sergeant that has returned from India with a strange object, a Monkey Paw. W.W Jaycobs wrote that “It had a spell put on it by an old fakir that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow." (Page 2). What it means is that his warnings about the monkey paw make the story more tense and uncertain in which we can fully trust what he says and adds to the suspense leading to an unreliable ending. Next, let's talk about how grief is handled in both stories. For example, In “The Moonlit Road” Bierce points out that “Nothing had been taken from the house..no trace of the assassin was ever found." (Page 1). It argues that Joel reflects about his mother’s murder mystery that had been leading to a grief moment by Joel Hetmaa Jr and his father. This lack of resolution traps them in their grief and a madness of the loss of the mother and the wife. In the “Monkey’s Paw” we see the terrible impact of loss when Herlbert White dies for a which that Mr. White wishes for 2.000 pounds which leads a visitor to tell his parents that Herlbert white dies. For example, W.W Jaycobs says "He was caught in the machinery." (Page 9). This clearly illustrates that Helbert has been caught in the machine which let a death and a devastating impact of his parents for the cold announcement in which it led a hard reality of their grief illustrating something similar to “The Moonlit Road” of the loss of the mother and the wife where they are deeply pain by the death. Finally, let's look at the theme of madness in both stories. In “ the Moonlit Road” after a traumatic experience, Joel says “ "I turned to look for my father; he was gone." (Page 1). In other words this disappearance shows how trauma can push someone into madness. Both Joel and hai father struggle with the loss. In “the monkey’s paw” Mrs. White insists on using the monkey paw to bring her son back. For example, Jaycob states that “Wish!" cried the old woman, in a strong voice. "It's my boy, it's Herbert!" (Page 12). This demonstrates that the desperation to get his son back the grief can judgment and lead to madness even more when it is caused and faced with the supernatural. - "In conclusion, both 'The Moonlit Road' and 'The Monkey’s Paw' use unreliable narrators, how the stories handle grief and madness in both stories. Amborse Bierce’s story focuses on the psychology of loss, while W.W Jacobs’ Story reveals the dangers of the wishes and the unpredictable nature and consequences. Through those stories, both authors remind us of the fragile line between reality and madness.