The Open Window by H.H. Munro (SAKI)(Intermediate)

Intermediate

story

Once upon a time, in a small, charming village surrounded by rolling hills and lush meadows, stood a lovely house with a wide, inviting garden. This house was home to Mrs. Sappleton and her clever niece, Vera. One bright afternoon, a man named Framton Nuttel came to visit, seeking peace and recovery from his nervous condition.

"My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel," said Vera, a composed young lady of fifteen. "In the meantime, you must try and put up with me."

Framton tried his best to say something polite to Vera, even though he felt quite anxious. He wondered if meeting new people like this would really help him relax.

"My sister gave me letters of introduction to some people here," Framton explained. "She thought it would be good for me to meet them while I stay in the countryside."

Vera looked at him thoughtfully. "So, you know nothing about my aunt?" she asked.

"Only her name and address," Framton admitted. He was curious about Mrs. Sappleton but didn't know much else.

"Then you mustn't know about her great tragedy," said Vera softly.

"Tragedy?" Framton asked, surprised. In this peaceful place, it seemed hard to imagine anything tragic happening.

"You might wonder why we keep that window open," said Vera, pointing to a large window that opened onto the garden.

"It is quite warm today," said Framton, "but does the open window have something to do with the tragedy?"

"Yes," said Vera. "Three years ago, my aunt's husband and her two younger brothers went out through that window for their daily shooting trip. They never came back. They were lost in a treacherous bog out on the moor. Their bodies were never found. My poor aunt always thinks they will return someday, so she keeps the window open every evening, hoping they will walk in just as they used to. She always tells me about how her husband carried a white coat over his arm and how Ronnie, her youngest brother, would sing 'Bertie, why do you bound?' to tease her because it got on her nerves. Sometimes, on quiet evenings like this, I get a creepy feeling that they will walk in through that window."

As Vera spoke, her voice grew softer and sadder. Framton felt a chill run down his spine. Just then, Mrs. Sappleton entered the room, bustling with energy.

"I hope Vera has been keeping you entertained," she said cheerfully.

"She has been very interesting," Framton replied, trying to sound calm.

"I hope you don't mind the open window," said Mrs. Sappleton. "My husband and brothers will be home soon, and they always come in this way. They've been out shooting today."

Framton felt uneasy as Mrs. Sappleton chatted away about the shooting and the countryside. He couldn't stop thinking about the tragic story Vera had told him.

Suddenly, Mrs. Sappleton's eyes brightened. "Here they are at last!" she exclaimed. "Just in time for tea."

Framton turned to look. To his horror, he saw three figures walking across the garden towards the window. They were carrying guns, and one of them had a white coat over his arm. A tired brown spaniel followed them closely. Framton froze in fear, his heart pounding.

"It's them!" Vera whispered, her eyes wide with terror.

Framton couldn't stand it any longer. He grabbed his hat and stick and ran out of the house as fast as he could. He didn't stop until he was far away, breathing hard and shaking with fear.

Back at the house, Mrs. Sappleton's husband and brothers walked in through the window, just as they always did.

"Who was that man running away?" asked Mrs. Sappleton's husband, looking puzzled.

"A most extraordinary man, a Mr. Nuttel," said Mrs. Sappleton. "He talked about his illnesses and then ran off without a word when you arrived. One would think he had seen a ghost."

Vera smiled to herself. "I think it was the spaniel," she said calmly. "He told me he had a terrible fear of dogs. Once, he was chased by a pack of wild dogs and had to hide in a graveyard all night."

Mrs. Sappleton laughed, not suspecting a thing. Thanks to Vera's love for storytelling, the mystery of the open window continued to delight and surprise those who visited this peaceful countryside.

This story teaches an important lesson about considering multiple perspectives and not jumping to conclusions too quickly when judging a situation.

 

Words and Idioms

Study it with Flashcard

https://quizlet.com/kr/923946490/the-open-window-by-hh-munro-saki-flash-cards/?i=3en6ue&x=1jqt

 

charming (adj) - attractive and pleasant

composed (adj) - calm and self-controlled

anxious (adj) - worried and nervous

tragedy (n) - a very sad event or situation

treacherous (adj) - dangerous and unpredictable

bustling (adj) - full of lively activity

frazzled (adj) - exhausted and worn out

recovery (n) - the process of becoming well again

admitted (v) - confessed or acknowledged

falteringly (adv) - hesitantly or unsteadily

pondered (v) - thought about carefully

extraordinary (adj) - very unusual or remarkable

frozen (adj) - immobile due to fear or shock

gripped (v) - seized or held firmly

calmly (adv) - in a relaxed and quiet manner

in the meantime - during the intervening time

put up with - to tolerate or endure

run down one's spine - to cause a feeling of fear or excitement

grabbed his hat and stick - quickly took his belongings, ready to leave

without a word - without saying anything

chill run down his spine - to feel a sudden and strong feeling of fear or excitement

jump to conclusions - to make a decision or judgment without having all the facts

froze in fear - to be so frightened that one cannot move

bustling with energy - full of lively activity and excitement

delight and surprise - to please and astonish

 

Questions

1. Why did Framton Nuttel visit Mrs. Sappleton's house?

a) To conduct business

b) To recover from a nervous condition

c) To go hunting

d) To visit family

 

2. What tragic event did Vera describe to Framton?

a) A fire that destroyed the house

b) A flood that took away her family

c) Her aunt's husband and brothers getting lost in a bog

d) A robbery that occurred at the house

 

3. How did Framton react when he saw the figures approaching the house?

a) He greeted them warmly

b) He stood still in shock

c) He ran out of the house in fear

d) He hid behind the curtains

 

4. What was Mrs. Sappleton's reaction to Framton's sudden departure?

a) She was angry

b) She was confused

c) She was relieved

d) She was sad

 

5. What does the open window symbolize in the story?

a) Freedom and adventure

b) Hope and expectation

c) Danger and fear

d) Wealth and luxury

 

6. Why is Vera's storytelling significant in the story?

a) It shows her kindness

b) It highlights her creativity and deceit

c) It demonstrates her love for her family

d) It reveals her shyness

 

AP-Test Style Writing Topics

1. In the story "The Open Window," Vera plays a pivotal role in shaping Framton Nuttel's experience at Mrs. Sappleton's house. Analyze Vera's character and discuss how her actions drive the plot. Consider how her personality, motivations, and interactions with Framton influence the story's outcome. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

2. "The Open Window" by H.H. Munro (Saki) explores themes of perception and reality through the interactions between Framton Nuttel and Vera. Discuss how the story blurs the line between perception and reality and the impact this has on the characters. How does Saki use these themes to convey a broader message about human nature or society? Provide textual evidence to support your arguments.

3. The setting in "The Open Window" plays a crucial role in establishing the story's atmosphere and contributing to its overall impact. Analyze how Saki uses the setting to enhance the mood and support the narrative. Consider elements such as the description of the village, the house, and the open window itself. How does the setting influence the characters' actions and the reader's perception of events? Use specific examples from the text to illustrate your points.

Answer Keys

 

Sample AP-Test Style Writing

1. In "The Open Window," Vera's character is central to the development of the story. Her cleverness and imagination not only shape Framton Nuttel's experience but also drive the entire plot. From the moment Framton arrives, Vera's composed and self-possessed demeanor sets the stage for her deceitful storytelling. She quickly assesses Framton's nervous disposition and decides to exploit it for her amusement. Her question about whether he knows anything about her aunt serves as a setup for the fabricated tale she is about to tell.

Vera's storytelling is rich in detail and emotional manipulation. She paints a vivid picture of her aunt's supposed tragedy, describing how her husband and brothers were swallowed by a treacherous bog. Vera's mention of specific details, like the white coat and the song "Bertie, why do you bound?" sung by Ronnie, adds authenticity to her story. These details are crucial as they later appear in the actual scene, convincing Framton that he is witnessing the return of the dead.

Vera's motivations appear to be driven by a desire for excitement and perhaps a bit of cruelty. She seems to relish the control she exerts over Framton's emotions, watching with satisfaction as he succumbs to fear. Her final remark to her aunt, attributing Framton's flight to a supposed fear of dogs, reveals her quick thinking and penchant for spinning tales.

Vera's interactions with Framton highlight her manipulative nature. She plays the role of a sympathetic niece, yet her actions are far from benign. Her character contrasts sharply with Framton's nervous and gullible nature, making her deception even more effective. Ultimately, Vera's actions drive the plot from a simple visit to a dramatic and eerie climax, showcasing her as a master manipulator who significantly impacts the story's outcome.

 

2. "The Open Window" intricately explores the themes of perception and reality, blurring the lines between what is real and what is perceived. Framton Nuttel, who arrives at Mrs. Sappleton's home seeking a peaceful retreat, finds himself ensnared in a web of deception spun by Vera. Through Vera's storytelling, Saki delves into how easily perceptions can be manipulated and how fragile the boundary between reality and illusion can be.

Vera's fabricated story about the tragic disappearance of her aunt's husband and brothers immediately influences Framton's perception. He arrives with no knowledge of the family and thus no reason to doubt Vera's account. This sets the stage for a stark contrast between the tranquil, seemingly normal setting and the haunting narrative Vera weaves. The open window, a symbol of hope and expectation for Mrs. Sappleton, becomes a harbinger of dread for Framton, showing how context and perception alter reality.

The culmination of the story, with the arrival of the supposedly deceased figures, forces Framton to confront what he believes is a supernatural occurrence. His reaction—fleeing in terror—demonstrates the power of perceived reality. To Framton, the return of the men is indisputable evidence of the ghostly, influenced entirely by Vera's convincing story and his own predispositions. This moment underscores the theme that reality is often constructed through individual perception, which can be easily swayed by external influences.

Saki's narrative ultimately comments on the human tendency to accept information at face value, especially when presented convincingly. It critiques the lack of skepticism and the ease with which people can be deceived. By highlighting the disparity between perception and reality, Saki suggests that humans are inherently vulnerable to manipulation. This vulnerability is not just a personal flaw but a broader societal issue, as it reflects a collective inclination to believe in constructed narratives without questioning their authenticity.

 

3. In "The Open Window," the setting plays a pivotal role in establishing the story's atmosphere and enhancing the narrative's impact. Saki meticulously crafts the environment to support the unfolding drama and heighten the tension experienced by Framton Nuttel.

The story begins in a small, charming village surrounded by rolling hills and lush meadows, painting a picture of tranquility and pastoral beauty. This peaceful setting contrasts sharply with the tension that soon permeates the narrative, creating a jarring effect that underscores Framton's increasing anxiety. The idyllic countryside initially seems like the perfect place for someone seeking rest and recovery, yet it becomes the backdrop for a psychological ordeal.

The Sappleton house, described as lovely and inviting, further sets the stage for Vera's deception. The wide, open window is a central symbol in the story, representing hope and expectation for Mrs. Sappleton, who believes her husband and brothers will return. However, for Framton, the open window becomes a symbol of dread and foreboding after Vera's tale of the tragic disappearance. This dual symbolism of the window enhances the story's eerie atmosphere and emphasizes the theme of perception versus reality.

As the story progresses, the setting within the house becomes more intimate and claustrophobic. The detailed description of the room, with its suggestion of "masculine habitation," adds to Framton's unease and foreshadows the arrival of the supposed ghosts. The quiet, still evening further amplifies the tension, making the appearance of the figures through the open window even more startling.

Saki's use of the setting to influence the characters' actions and the reader's perception is masterful. The peaceful countryside, the inviting house, and the ominous open window work together to create a sense of unease and suspense. This careful construction of the setting ensures that the story's climax—Framton's panicked flight—feels both surprising and inevitable.

In summary, the setting in "The Open Window" is integral to creating the story's atmosphere and supporting the narrative. It underscores the themes of perception and reality, influences the characters' behavior, and enhances the reader's engagement with the unfolding drama.

 

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