The Open Window

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1. 
   allyson Teacher
   High School - 10th Grade

   Mr. Nuttle leaves in a hurry because he is frightened. Vera has told him a story about why Mrs. Sappleton leaves the window open, saying that Mrs. Sappleton believes her missing husband and brother will return thought it, just as they left through it, seemingly long ago. Although the story is not true (the men only left that morning), Mr. Nuttle, a very nervous guy, believes it. Therefore when the men do return through the window, Mr. Nuttle suffers a "nervous breakdown" and must flee.

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   http://www.enotes.com/open-window/characters

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   Posted by allyson on Tuesday April 8, 2008 at 10:08 AM
   
   

2. 
   dbello Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   Nuttel leaves in a hurry because fear is the only emotion he understands.  We learn that he is a nervous person, who does not like strangers.  The idea that he even believes Vera's story suggests weakness.  Nuttel has obviously dealt with fear and anxiety for so long it has become a second nature to him.  Nuttel never thinks about questioning Vera's story, he just reverts to the only emotion he is capable of executing with certainty, which is to run away.

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   Posted by dbello on Wednesday July 30, 2008 at 6:31 PM
   
   

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