1. Compare and contrast Saki's depiction of English country life with the portrayals by authors like E. M. Forster and P. G. Wodehouse.

2. At what point and in what manner do we realize that Mrs. Sappleton's niece is lying? Once her deception is clear, can you identify any earlier hints in the story that might have suggested her dishonesty?

3. Examine the story's conclusion in relation to works like "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry and other narratives featuring ironic twists and unexpected endings. What elements contribute to a successful trick ending? When does such an ending fail to satisfy readers?

4. Investigate the lives of the cultured, leisurely class who resided in grand English country homes before World War I. What aspects of this lifestyle does Saki satirize in "The Open Window"?

5. Compare the tall tale spun by Mrs. Sappleton's niece with another example of the genre, such as "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" (1865) by Mark Twain.