The Lumber Room by H.H. Munro (Intermediate)

Intermediate

story

On a brisk morning, Nicholas faced a peculiar consequence: he was barred from joining a beach excursion to Jagborough due to a mischievous act at breakfast—placing a frog in his bowl of bread and milk. His aunt, who was actually his cousins’ aunt, found his behavior unacceptable and decided that a day at the beach would proceed without him.

As the carriage departed, laden with his cousins and brother, Nicholas watched unaffected, even as his cousin's cries filled the air from a minor injury. "They're not going to enjoy their day as much as they think," Nicholas mused confidently.

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Adding to his restrictions, his aunt sternly warned, "You are to remain out of the gooseberry garden." This directive was more a challenge than a command to Nicholas, who made a show of being disgruntled. With his aunt preoccupied outside, guarding the garden, Nicholas seized the moment to delve into a long-held scheme.

In the quiet of the library, Nicholas retrieved the key to the lumber room—an off-limits chamber filled with mysteries. As he stepped inside, he was met with a sight of relics and antiques that sparked his curiosity: a tapestry depicting a tense deer hunt, whimsical candlesticks shaped like snakes, a teapot resembling a duck, and a book bursting with illustrations of exotic birds.

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Lost in the grandeur of the tapestry, Nicholas contemplated the hunter’s plight, cornered with limited arrows as wolves neared. His reverie was broken by his aunt’s urgent shouts from outside. Nicholas, returning the key, found his aunt trapped in a rain-water tank, desperately calling for him to retrieve a ladder from the forbidden gooseberry garden.

"Remember, you told me I am forbidden from entering the garden," Nicholas reminded her, playing on her words.

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With a change of heart, she implored him to help. Yet, Nicholas, with a twinkle of mischief, questioned her identity, "How can I be sure you are really my aunt and not some deceiver?" To test her, he inquired about strawberry jam at tea, a clever trap since she had previously declared none was left, only for Nicholas to discover four jars hidden away.

Catching her in her inconsistency, Nicholas playfully accused, "Only the Evil One would know of the hidden strawberry jam!" Choosing not to act immediately, he enjoyed the upper hand for a while longer. Eventually, a maid rescued the aunt, and the day ended with an uneasy silence over tea, the beach day having been less than successful.

Nicholas teaches us that authority can be questioned and that wisdom often comes from observing and questioning the world around us. The tale underscores the value of cunning and resourcefulness in navigating complex social dynamics.

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Words and Idioms

Study it with Flashcard

https://quizlet.com/kr/907792609/the-lumber-room-by-hh-munro-saki-flash-cards/?i=3en6ue&x=1jqt

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Brisk (adj) - Quick; active; stimulating

Mischievous (adj) - Showing a playful desire to cause trouble

Unacceptable (adj) - Not satisfactory; intolerable

Excursion (noun) - A short journey or trip, especially one taken as a leisure activity

Preoccupied (adj) - Absorbed in thought; engrossed

Sternly (adv) - In a serious and severe manner, often in a way that indicates disapproval

Seized (verb) - Took hold of suddenly and forcibly

Relics (noun) - Objects surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical interest

Antiques (noun) - Collectible objects such as pieces of furniture or art that are old and often valuable

Reverie (noun) - A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream

Implore (verb) - Beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something

Inconsistency (noun) - The fact or state of being inconsistent (not staying the same throughout)

Twinkle of mischief (phrase) - A small, often playful or mischievous expression in someone's eyes

Cunning (adj) - Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion

Resourcefulness (noun) - The ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties

Barred (verb) - Officially excluded or prohibited from doing something

Laden (adj) - Heavily loaded or weighed down

Directive (noun) - An official or authoritative instruction

Preoccupied (adj) - Distracted by something else, implying deep absorption in thoughts or concerns

Delve into (phrase) - To explore or investigate in depth

Off-limits (adj) - Forbidden, especially as an area restricted from access

Antiques (noun) - Items from an earlier period, valued for their age, rarity, and aesthetic qualities

Grandeur (noun) - Splendor and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style

Plight (noun) - A dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation

Calling for (phrase) - requiring or demanding

Retrieve from (phrase) - to get back or recover from a place or source

Reverie (noun) - A state of being pleasantly lost in thoughts; a daydream, often used to describe a deep, reflective daydreaming

Change of heart (phrase) - A reversal in one's feelings or opinions, often implying a softening of stance or attitude

Clever trap (phrase) - A smart or cunning plan or setup designed to catch or trick someone

Caught in her inconsistency (phrase) - Identified and challenged on being inconsistent or contradictory

Playfully accused (phrase) - To accuse someone in a teasing or joking manner, not meant to be taken seriously

Uneasy silence (phrase) - A period of silence that is uncomfortable or tense, often because a difficult or awkward topic has just been discussed or implied

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Questions

1. What was the reason Nicholas was not allowed to go to the beach?

A) He woke up too late.

B) He did not want to go.

C) He put a frog in his breakfast.

D) He was feeling ill.

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2. What is the 'lumber room' referred to in the story?

A) A storage room for wood.

B) A mysterious, forbidden room filled with old and interesting things.

C) The room where the children play.

D) The kitchen pantry.

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3. How does Nicholas view his aunt’s command not to enter the gooseberry garden?

A) As a reasonable restriction.

B) As a challenge and an opportunity for mischief.

C) As a helpful reminder.

D) As permission to enter when she is not looking.

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4. What causes Nicholas's aunt to become trapped?

A) She falls into a pit while chasing Nicholas.

B) She climbs into a rain-water tank to retrieve something and can get out.

C) She locks herself out of the house accidentally.

D) Nicholas locks her in the lumber room as a prank.

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5. What does the lumber room symbolize in the story?

A) Punishment and isolation

B) Adventure and the world of imagination

C) Disorder and chaos

D) Family heritage and history

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6. What theme does the story "The Lumber Room" most clearly explore?

A) The innocence of youth

B) The conflict between freedom and restriction

C) The importance of following rules

D) The bond between family members

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AP-Test Style Writing Topics

1. Analyze how Saki uses the setting of the lumber room to develop the central theme of the story. Discuss how the objects within the room contribute to the reader's understanding of Nicholas's character and his world view.

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2. Discuss the role of authority in "The Lumber Room" by comparing the characters of Nicholas and his aunt. Consider how their actions and attitudes toward rules and freedom reflect larger societal values or criticisms.

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3. Explore the concept of rebellion in "The Lumber Room." How does Nicholas's rebellion against his aunt's directives serve as a critique of adult hypocrisy or authoritarianism? Use specific examples from the text to support your argument.

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Answer Keys

1. C) He put a frog in his breakfast.
2. B) A mysterious, forbidden room filled with old and interesting things.
3. B) As a challenge and an opportunity for mischief.
4. B) She climbs into a rain-water tank to retrieve something and can't get out.
5. B) Adventure and the world of imagination
6. B) The conflict between freedom and restriction

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Sample Writing Answers

1. In Saki’s “The Lumber Room,” the titular room serves as a crucial symbol of imagination and freedom in stark contrast to the mundane and restrictive world governed by the adult figure of the aunt. The lumber room, filled with forgotten yet intriguing artifacts, represents a realm where the protagonist Nicholas can explore and engage with his curiosity unfettered by the repressive dictates of his authoritarian aunt. This setting is meticulously described, from the tapestry depicting a hunter at bay to the dusty, shadow-filled corners crammed with unknown treasures, each element echoing Nicholas's own hidden depths and unexplored potential. Saki uses the room not only as a physical space of rebellion against adult constraints but also as a metaphorical space where Nicholas’s imagination can roam freely, unbound by the rigid and unimaginative worldview imposed by his aunt. Through the lumber room, Saki critiques the often arbitrary and suffocating nature of adult authority, portraying it as out of touch with the more vibrant, imaginative, and adaptive world of childhood. The story unfolds Nicholas’s adventure within the room as a journey of self-discovery and assertion of individuality, drawing a sharp contrast between the liveliness of youth and the stagnancy of adult supervision. This exploration ultimately underscores the theme of youthful exploration as both a literal and figurative escape from societal constraints.

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1. The dynamic between Nicholas and his aunt in "The Lumber Room" by Saki vividly encapsulates the tension between youthful curiosity and the rigidity of adult authority. Nicholas, the young protagonist, is depicted as bright, imaginative, and inherently rebellious, embodying the spirit of youth. In contrast, his aunt represents the oppressive and often irrational constraints placed on children by adults. Saki crafts these characters as embodiments of broader societal roles: Nicholas as the questioner of illogical rules and his aunt as the enforcer of these rules without understanding their impact. The conflict arises when Nicholas, barred from a trip due to a minor mischief, turns his energies towards exploring the forbidden lumber room. This act of defiance isn't just about breaking rules for the sake of rebellion; it’s an assertion of his independence and intelligence, which his aunt fails to recognize or value. Saki uses their interactions to critique the conventional approach to child rearing and education, which often stifles creativity and undervalues the capabilities of the young. Through this lens, the story reveals a profound commentary on the need for a balance between guidance and freedom in the development of young minds. Saki argues for a more understanding and less authoritarian approach to dealing with youth, highlighting the importance of fostering rather than curtailing the natural curiosity and intellect of children.

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1. Nicholas's act of rebellion in “The Lumber Room” cleverly highlights the limitations and often the hypocrisy of adult authority. His refusal to assist his aunt, who finds herself trapped in a rain-water tank, serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative. This decision is framed not merely as a child’s petulance but as a strategic choice, underscored by his earlier discovery of the concealed strawberry jam. Nicholas uses his aunt’s own words and rules against her, emphasizing her inconsistency and the arbitrary nature of her authority. This encounter is not just a humorous twist but a critical examination of how adult control can be based on convenience rather than reason. Saki sets this scene to underscore the narrative’s deeper themes: the questioning of authority and the critique of adult hypocrisy. By choosing not to rescue his aunt immediately, Nicholas asserts his autonomy and challenges the validity of his aunt’s power, suggesting that authority should be questioned and scrutinized, especially when it proves to be illogical or unjust. The story, through this act of defiance, advocates for a reevaluation of the dynamics of power between adults and the youth, promoting a view that respects the intelligence and the perspective of children. This episode not only dramatizes a conflict between individual freedom and authoritarian control but also serves as a metaphor for the broader societal need to acknowledge and foster youth empowerment.

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