Exploring 'The Open Window' by Saki: An Analysis of Characters and Key Points
The story "The Open Window" by Saki follows Framton Nuttel, a man with a nervous disorder, as he visits the English countryside. Upon his arrival at the Sappletons' home, he interacts with Vera, a witty young girl who spins a tale about a family tragedy involving an open window. This practical joke plays out with unexpected consequences, showcasing Saki's mastery of storytelling through wit and intrigue.
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LESSON-7, THE OPEN WINDOW SAKI (H.H. MUNRO) MODULE 1/2
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Hector Hugh Munro was born in Britain on 18thDec. 1870 and died on 14thNov. 1915. He is better known by his pen name Saki. He is considered a master of the short story, and is often compared to O. Henry.
INTRODUCTION TO THE STORY The Open Window is Saki s most important short story. Saki s wit is at the height of its power in this story. It is about a spontaneous practical joke played upon a visiting stranger Mr. Framton Nuttel. The story has a tripartite structure with the first part beginning with the conversation between Vera and Framton Nuttel, the second with the entrance of the Mrs. Sappleton and the third with the return of the hunting party. Saki employs a flashback to divide these three parts with a story-within-a story, inspired by Vera s imagination.
MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE STORY 1. Framton Nuttel s Sister- She writes several letters of introduction to keep her brother, Framton Nuttel, from being lonely on his retreat to the countryside. She writes one such letter in order to introduce him to Mrs. Sappleton. This is how Framton finds himself in Mrs. Sappleton s home. 2. Mr. Framton Nuttel- A perpetually anxious gentleman sent to the English countryside to soothe his nervous disorder.. He has arrived at the Sappletons home following a letter of introduction from his sister.
3. Vera- A fifteen year old girl who greets Framton and informs him of her aunt s great tragedy. 4. Mrs. Sappleton- Framton Nuttel s host and Vera s aunt . 5. Mr. Sappleton-Mrs. Sappleton s husband and a member of the hunting party. 6. Ronnie- Mrs. Sappleton s youngest brother and a member of the hunting party. He often teases her by singing a short song, I say, Bertie, why do you bound?
KEYPOINTS OF THE STORY 1. Framton Nuttel, a man with a nervous disorder, moved to the countryside on his doctor s advice to find a cure for the condition which he suffered from. 2. His sister had lived in the area he visited and had given him letters of introduction to Mrs. Sappleton. 3. Mr. Framton Nuttel reached Mrs.Sappleton s house in the countryside. The lady was busy upstairs, so he started talking to her niece Vera, who was sitting there.
4. Vera told Framton Nuttel about a family mishap. She showed him the French window in the room that opened on to a lawn. 5. She told him that the open window was always kept open and that there was a story behind it. She said that three years earlier, Mrs. Sappleton s husband and her two young brothers had gone for hunting through that window. A spaniel was also with them. They never returned as their bodies were engulfed in a dangerous piece of bog.
6. She told the stranger apologetically how her poor aunt still thought that they would return one day through the same open window. That was why (according to Vera) the window was being kept open every evening until sunset. 7. She said that sometimes on still, quiet evenings, she used to get a creepy feeling that they would walk in through the window.
