Early in the story, Jacobs’s tone toward Mr. and Mrs. White is quite sympathetic. Jacobs’s description of the old couple and their cozy house tells readers of their simple, affectionate ways. The characters change as the story progresses. Mrs. White is calm and loving in the beginning. By the end, Jacobs turns her into a depressed, impulsive, and agonized woman. Mr. White is also transformed. He feels guilty for his son’s death and wants to redeem himself for his sin. He also realizes the potential evil power of the paw, as compared to his wife, who doesn’t seem to care. At the end, Jacobs turns the Whites from a warm, happy couple into lonely individuals, but his tone toward them is still sympathetic.