Style and Technique
The story is told from the third-person point of view, limited in the opening paragraphs to the naïve perception of Mr. Nuttel, who is tricked by Vera’s mischievous fantasy. Because the fantasy is so bizarre and inventive and totally unexpected from a fifteen-year-old girl, the reader is also momentarily duped. Vera’s practical joke, which borders on being cruel, is perfectly consistent. When Mr. Sappleton and the brothers are seen returning from the hunt, she pretends to be horrified. The reader, like Framton Nuttel himself, can only assume, therefore, that this is a supernatural event.
The narrator stays in the house, however, after Mr. Nuttel’s frightened and abrupt departure, so as to reveal the ironic twist and to enjoy Vera’s second demonstration of her ability to produce “romance at short notice,” when she explains to her aunt and uncle that Mr. Nuttel has “a horror of dogs” because of an imagined incident he had in a cemetery in India. By this time the reader has reason to doubt that Mr. Nuttel would be adventuresome enough to travel to India.
Vera clearly has a talent for ornamenting the ordinary and the commonplace, and she is too quick-witted to tolerate boredom. She first makes Mr. Nuttel think that her aunt is a lunatic, then tricks him into a state of panic and fear, taking advantage of the poor man’s nervous disorder. Vera is not only “self-possessed” but also clever. Before setting her trap, she is careful to ascertain that Mr. Nuttel knows “practically nothing” about her aunt or her family.
Saki satirizes Mr. Nuttel’s banality in this miniature comedy of manners, lacing his treatment with his typical dry wit and malice and allowing his characters to reveal themselves through meticulously crafted dialogue. Saki has been ranked with O. Henry as a master of the surprise ending, and no less a craftsperson than Noël Coward, in his introduction to The Complete Works of Saki (1976), praised “The Open Window” as a masterpiece of high comedy.
Themes and Meanings
Saki was known for his satiric wit and his adroit dialogue, which perfectly reveals characters typical of the Edwardian social setting of his stories. His characters are very often eccentric bores and colossal liars, types that can be found in his other stories, such as “A Defensive Diamond” and “The Strategist.”
The meaning of “The Open Window” depends on the narrator’s final statement about Vera: “Romance at short notice was her specialty.” The story is little more than a practical joke played by Vera on the susceptible Framton Nuttel, a champion bore and a character-type familiar to readers of Saki. After a very short conversation with him, Mrs. Sappleton quickly reads the character of Mr. Nuttel as a “most extraordinary man” who “could only talk about his illnesses.”
The reader, too, is quickly bored with Framton Nuttel, a weakling who thinks only of his health and has no topic of conversation other than his nervous disorder and the opinions of his doctors. Vera, the fifteen-year-old niece who greets him on his arrival at the Sappleton house, is a surprisingly perceptive girl. She is able to read the man’s character accurately as that of a gullible hypochondriac and proceeds to fabricate the absurd story of her aunt’s “great tragedy” for her own amusement. The deception is almost forgivable because Mr. Nuttel is such a boring person, but the deception is also cruel, and the man’s terrified response to what he thinks must be a supernatural visitation is pathetic—there is no sympathy here for the weak. Mr. Nuttel is out of his league when confronted by Vera.
The story, then, centers on an ironic deception that transforms momentarily the ordinary into what seems to be the supernatural, then snaps the circumstances back into reality through the clever use of irony. Vera is a typical Saki character type, related to the tall-tale tellers and liars of his other stories, just as Mr. Nuttel is a deserving dupe.
Commentary
Armed with a letter of introduction, Framton Nuttel is visiting Mrs. Sappleton’s country estate for a “nerve cure.” Mr. Nuttel is greeted by the niece, Vera, a polite “self-possessed young lady of fifteen,” who begins telling him about her aunt’s great tragedy. Pointing to the open French window, Vera (Latin, meaning “truth”) spins a yarn about her aunt’s husband and two brothers who went out through the window on a hunting trip through the moors fifteen years earlier and never returned. The aunt keeps the window open in expectation of their imminent return.
Suddenly the aunt enters. Over the civilities of tea and polite conversation, she alludes to the hunting trip, and Mr. Nuttel becomes gradually unnerved. When, indeed, the hunting party returns, Nuttel, as if he had seen ghosts, flees. The niece, we learn, had told the truth about the hunters, but had made up the part about their disappearance. They had simply gone out that morning, but, says Saki, Vera was incorrigible. “Romance at short notice was her specialty.”
At first glance the story appears to be a mere joke; but “THE OPEN WINDOW” can be reread with pleasure because of its masterful tone--a finely honed, polite restraint with only a hint of a smirk on the authorial face.
Finally, the narrative works as a parody of the traditional ghost story. Vera’s yarn has all the trimmings of the standard mystery--the journey on the moors, the mysterious disappearance, even Mr. Nuttel’s role as scared listener. In the end, the tradition is subverted. Romance is but a prank.
Literary Style
"The Open Window" revolves around a deception played on a naive and naturally anxious man by a young girl whose reasons for lying are never fully explained.
Structure
One of Saki's most notable techniques in "The Open Window" is the story's narrative structure. It is essentially a story within a story. The primary "frame" narrative depicts Mr. Nuttel's visit to Mrs. Sappleton's house to introduce himself. Within this overarching narrative lies a secondary story, recounted by Mrs. Sappleton's niece.
Symbolism
The open window itself is the most significant symbol in "The Open Window." When Mrs. Sappleton's niece narrates the tale of the lost hunters, the open window symbolizes Mrs. Sappleton's sorrow and distress over losing her husband and younger brother. Once the truth is disclosed, the open window shifts from symbolizing anguish to representing deceit. Saki uses this symbol ironically, as an open window, typically associated with transparency, becomes a symbol of deception.
Narration
"The Open Window" is told from a third-person perspective, meaning the events are narrated by someone not directly involved in the story. This perspective allows the narrator to present the actions and thoughts of all characters. Throughout most of the story, the reader experiences events from Mr. Nuttel's viewpoint, sharing his vulnerability to Vera's tale. However, after Mr. Nuttel flees, the reader remains and discovers that Vera's story was entirely fabricated.
Tall Tale
Vera's story is essentially a tall tale. Tall tales, often found in folklore and legend, describe people or events in a highly exaggerated manner. Examples include the stories of John Henry with his hammer and Paul Bunyan with Babe the Blue Ox. Vera amplifies the significance of the open window by making it central to a concocted tale of tragic loss.
Expert Q&A
What words or events establish the author's tone in Mr. Nuttel's "headlong retreat" scene in "The Open Window"?
The tone of Mr. Nuttel's "headlong retreat" in "The Open Window" is established through irony and humor. Framton Nuttel seeks rest and calm, yet his frantic escape due to Vera's ghost story provides the opposite. Vera's acting, described as "self-possessed," and her feigned horror, convince Framton of the ghosts' reality. The comedic tone is underscored by the cyclist who avoids a collision, emphasizing Framton's panicked sprint. Vera's amusement highlights the playful tone.
In Saki's "The Open Window," what is the tone and purpose behind four text details?
The tone in "The Open Window" is empathetic, secretive, ambiguous, and ironic. The purpose of these tones is to evoke sympathy for Nuttel's nervous condition, create a secretive atmosphere as Vera deceives him, establish the creepy ambiguity of the open window as a focal point for the ghost story, and use irony to reinforce the eerie possibility of ghosts, making Nuttel believe Vera's tale. These elements combine to enhance the story's suspense and humor.
Mood and Tone in "The Open Window" by Saki
"The Open Window" by Saki features a playful and humorous tone, with underlying sarcasm and irony, especially towards the protagonist, Framton Nuttel. The mood transitions from ordinary to suspenseful as Vera tells her fabricated ghost story, creating tension and intrigue. Suspense is built through the narrative structure, character dynamics, and repeated references to the open window, culminating in an ironic twist that reveals Vera's mischievous nature. The story's tone and mood shift from suspenseful to humorous relief, engaging the reader in Vera's clever deception.
Setting
The narrative unfolds exclusively within a single room of an English country house owned by Mr. and Mrs. Sappleton. Although the story does not specify exact dates, it is presumed to be set in the early 1900s, likely during the reign of King Edward VII.
Expert Q&A
What is the setting of the girl's story and how does it enhance the atmosphere?
The setting of "The Open Window" includes the Stappleton's home and the outdoors visible through the open French window. This setting enhances the atmosphere by creating a sense of openness and truth, which makes Vera's fabricated story more believable to Framton Nuttel. The mysterious moor outside adds an element of fog and mystery, contributing to the unsettling and deceptive atmosphere.
When is "The Open Window" set?
"The Open Window" is set in the early 20th century, likely during the Edwardian era under King Edward VII's reign. The story unfolds in a room of an English country home owned by Mr. and Mrs. Sappleton. Although it was published in 1914, just before World War I, the setting reflects a stable, privileged lifestyle typical of the time, highlighting the leisure class's societal norms before the war brought significant changes.
In "The Open Window" by Saki, how does the setting contribute to the story's effectiveness?
The setting in "The Open Window" is crucial, as the open French window becomes the focal point of Vera's fabricated story, which manipulates Framton Nuttel. The open window symbolizes both opportunity and deception. Vera's tale, blending fact and fiction, creates a believable yet unsettling narrative that heightens Framton's anxiety. When the men return, Framton's fear is compounded, leading him to flee, thus demonstrating the setting's role in the story's effectiveness.
The impact of the setting on the atmosphere in "The Open Window"
The setting in "The Open Window" significantly contributes to the atmosphere by creating a sense of isolation and suspense. The story takes place in a rural, quiet countryside, which enhances the eerie and mysterious mood. The open window itself symbolizes a portal to the unknown, heightening the tension and anticipation for both the characters and the readers.
What clues in "The Open Window" suggest it's set in Edwardian England?
Clues suggesting "The Open Window" is set in Edwardian England include the formal social customs depicted, such as Mr. Nuttel's use of a letter of introduction to visit the Sappleton home. This practice was typical of the wealthy classes in that era, reflecting the social norms of the Edwardian age. Additionally, Saki's background and focus on satirizing the English ruling classes further support this setting.
Literary Qualities
One of the most notable techniques Saki employs in "The Open Window" is the way he structures the story's narrative. The tale is crafted as a story-within-a-story. The overarching narrative involves Mr. Nuttel arriving at Mrs. Sappleton's home to introduce himself. Nested within this primary narrative is the secondary story narrated by Mrs. Sappleton's niece.
The open window itself serves as the most significant symbol in "The Open Window." Initially, when Vera recounts the tale of the lost hunters, the open window symbolizes Mrs. Sappleton's sorrow and heartbreak over losing her husband and younger brother. However, once the truth is unveiled, the open window shifts to represent deceit rather than anguish. Saki uses this symbol ironically, as an open window, typically associated with transparency, instead signifies deception.
"The Open Window" is narrated in the third person, meaning the story is presented by a narrator who is not a character within the narrative. This perspective allows the narrator to describe events from multiple viewpoints, revealing the actions, thoughts, and emotions of all characters. For most of the story, the reader shares Mr. Nuttel's perspective, experiencing events through his eyes until he flees the house. Like Mr. Nuttel, the reader is initially deceived by Vera's story. However, the reader remains after Mr. Nuttel's departure and learns that Vera's tale was entirely fabricated. Tall tales, common in folklore and legend, are stories that exaggerate people or events. Examples include the tales of John Henry and his hammer, and Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Vera amplifies the significance of the open window by making it the focal point of a fictional story of tragic loss.
Themes and Characters
Although "The Open Window" is a brief piece of fiction, it delves into several significant themes, including the contrast between appearances and reality. It’s unsurprising that Mrs. Sappleton's niece narrates a story that seems believable. She starts with a visible object, an open window, and builds her narrative from there. The window is clearly open, but the reason behind it being open is entirely dependent on the niece's explanation, at least while she is narrating. In this tale, the open window transforms into a symbol, and its appearance becomes its reality. When Mr. Nuttel—and the reader—are confronted with a different reality at the story's conclusion, it creates a tension between appearance and reality that demands resolution. Which reality is true? Is it possible for both to be true?
Deception is another crucial theme in the story. The plot and irony revolve around the apparent deceit by Mrs. Sappleton's niece. However, it’s unclear if this deception is merely a harmless prank or stems from a more sinister nature. If the niece's deceit is malicious, it prompts the reader to question the intentions behind all storytellers' deceptions, including those of Saki himself.
The story features only a few characters. Mr. Framton Nuttel suffers from an unspecified nervous condition and visits the countryside hoping the environment will aid his recovery. He carries a letter of introduction to Mrs. Sappleton to get acquainted with her during his stay in the village. While waiting for Mrs. Sappleton, her niece entertains him by explaining why a window in the room is left open. He believes her tale—that the window remains open in anticipation of the return of Mrs. Sappleton's husband and brother, whom the niece claims have been dead for years. Later, when Nuttel sees figures approaching the window that resemble the long-dead hunters described in the niece's story, he experiences a mental breakdown and flees the house.
Mrs. Sappleton is initially introduced as a widow, keeping vigil for her missing husband and brother, who vanished during a hunting expedition. She resides with her young niece, Vera, who is known for her talent in storytelling, particularly "romance at short notice." Vera is a remarkable and intuitive actress, adept at both deception and concealing her deceit. As Nuttel waits for Mrs. Sappleton to arrive, Vera spins an intricate tale about a window in the room that remains open. She explains to Nuttel that the window is left open as a sign of her aunt's hope that the lost hunters will eventually return. Vera provides a vivid description of the men, detailing their behavior and attire.
When Nuttel sees the men return, just as Vera described, he flees in terror. Vera then fabricates another story to explain his sudden departure. Saki describes Vera as "self-possessed," meaning she has self-control and poise. In the context of the story, it is clear that this quality enables her to lie convincingly—Vera's self-possession allows her to maintain a composed and believable demeanor while recounting the most fantastical tales.
The hunters, Mr. Sappleton and Mrs. Sappleton's younger brother, also make an appearance. They had been away hunting, and their return, following Vera's detailed description of them, prompts Nuttel to flee in panic.
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