Themes: Appearances versus Reality
Saki’s “The Open Window” explores the tenuous territory between appearances and reality. In the world of the story, this divide between appearances and reality is artificial, for it is created by Vera, whose false accounts present the realities at hand in misleading ways.
During the initial conversation between Vera and Framton, Vera takes advantage of Framton’s ignorance and lack of context to tell a tall tale. It is notable that the story Vera invents hinges on a tangible feature of the environment: the open window. She then constructs the story of Mrs. Sappleton’s deceased husband and brothers by drawing on real elements. Beyond the detail of the open window, Vera also draws on the fact that the three hunters are out hunting and will presumably return soon. In light of these facts, her fiction frames their eventual return in a ghostly manner, reconfiguring that event to play upon Framton’s imagination.
It is key that Vera’s falsities depend on the absence of the people she is lying about. In her initial story about Mrs. Sappleton’s grief over her husband and brothers, it is essential that all of those characters are momentarily gone from the scene, allowing her to manipulate Framton’s imagination without any intrusions of truth. Likewise, in the case of her second story, in which she falsely details Framton’s terrible fear of dogs, it is essential that Framton has left, leaving her free to frame his sudden flight with a fresh—and believable—lie.
Although the deceptions in this story are of a light-hearted nature, they show how effectively a single person can manipulate the truth, tricking others into believing false appearances rather than the reality at hand.
Expert Q&A
Justify the observation: "Romance at short notice was Vera's speciality."
The observation "Romance at short notice was Vera's speciality" is justified as Vera is adept at concocting elaborate and imaginative stories swiftly. In "The Open Window," she creates two detailed, fictional tales on the spot: one about her aunt's husband and brothers being lost in a bog, and another about Framton Nuttel's fear of dogs. Her creativity stems from her intelligence and likely her reading habits.
What does Vera make Framton believe and explain to her aunt about him? What could be her motivation?
Vera deceives Framton Nuttel by telling him her aunt's husband and brothers died in a hunting accident but that her aunt believes they will return, leaving a window open for them. When the men arrive, Nuttel thinks they are ghosts and flees. Vera's motivation seems to be boredom and a desire for entertainment, as she concocts a story to amuse herself and avoid becoming like her aunt. She later explains Nuttel's panic by fabricating a fear of dogs.
The significance and symbolism of the title "The Open Window" in relation to the story and its themes
The title "The Open Window" symbolizes the boundary between reality and fiction within the story. It represents the portal through which Vera's fabricated tale influences Mr. Nuttel, blurring the lines between truth and imagination. The open window also signifies the unexpected opportunities and dangers that come from stepping into unknown territories, aligning with the story's themes of deception and the impact of storytelling.
Did the girl in "The Open Window" habitually make up stories?
Yes, the girl in "The Open Window," Vera, habitually makes up stories. In the story, she fabricates two tales, one for Framton and another to explain his behavior to her family. Her skillful storytelling and improvisation are highlighted by her strategic placement of events and dramatic delivery. The final sentence confirms her talent, stating that "romance at short notice was her speciality," indicating her habitual nature of inventing stories.
In "The Open Window," why does Vera enjoy tricking people?
Vera enjoys tricking people due to a combination of boredom, resentment, and a vivid imagination. Confined to her home like her aunt, she is frustrated by her predictable environment and future prospects. Her imaginative nature and escapist tendencies, fueled by reading, lead her to create stories as a form of entertainment. In "The Open Window," she exploits Framton Nuttel's ignorance to play a mischievous trick, highlighting her cleverness and need for escapism.
Vera's motivations for lying in "The Open Window"
Vera's motivations for lying in "The Open Window" are primarily for amusement. She enjoys using her vivid imagination to concoct elaborate stories that manipulate and unsettle others, finding entertainment in their reactions. Her deceit is driven by a desire for control and the thrill of creating a dramatic and believable narrative.
In "The Open Window," what conventions shape Framton Nuttel's expectations of his visit with Mrs. Sappleton, and how are they violated?
Framton Nuttel expects a formal and polite visit at Mrs. Sappleton's country home, anticipating tea, biscuits, and light conversation. His expectations are violated when Vera, a teenage girl, instead of Mrs. Sappleton, greets him and tells a fabricated story about tragic deaths and insanity. The supposed "ghosts" of the deceased appear, terrifying Framton and causing him to flee. The story's elements of insanity and ghosts disrupt the expected decorum of a traditional English country home.
The nature of Vera's joke in "The Open Window" by Saki
Vera's joke in "The Open Window" involves deceiving Mr. Nuttel into believing that her aunt's husband and brothers, who are actually on a hunting trip, died years ago and that their ghosts will return through the open window. This prank exploits Mr. Nuttel's nervous condition, leading him to flee in terror when the hunters return, thinking they are ghosts.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
