Themes: The Discomfort of Company
“The Open Window” dramatizes the often uncomfortable nature of social situations, particularly encounters with strangers or new acquaintances. There are several sources of social discomfort and awkwardness in the story: Framton’s unfamiliarity with the Sappletons, Framton’s nervous and tedious nature, and Vera’s falsehoods.
The cause of Framton’s visit is a source of social awkwardness. His sister has written a letter of introduction, which Framton is meant to give to Mrs. Sappleton as a means to ease the beginning of their rapport. It is clear that this situation is somewhat uncomfortable, because Framton knows nothing about Mrs. Sappleton except that she is, according to his sister’s vague account, “quite nice.” Framton doubts the entire endeavor of meeting his new neighbors by way of introductory letters, and he mentions this method to Vera “in a tone of distinct regret.”
Another cause for social discomfort is Framton’s character. He is given to both nervousness and tediousness. At the start of the story, he reflects on his misgivings about meeting his new neighbors, expressing doubt about “whether these formal visits on a succession of total strangers would do much towards helping the nerve cure which he was supposed to be undergoing.” It is notable that while he ponders this, he is allowing a silence to grow in his conversation with Vera. Later in the story, Framton tries to introduce a topic of conversation as he speaks to Mrs. Sappleton, and he chooses to talk about the details of his nerve cure. Mrs. Sappleton finds this subject so boring that she must feign interest.
Finally, Vera’s tales introduce social tensions by creating false impressions. Framton feels deeply uncomfortable and unnerved when he hears Mrs. Sappleton’s remarks about the return of her husband and brothers. Because of Vera’s story, he believes he is witnessing an episode of sheer delusion, but in reality her remarks are straightforward and quite quotidian. Vera’s stories also directly lead to Framton’s uncouth exit from the house when he sees the hunters’ return. Overall, “The Open Window” is a story brimming with various forms of social discomfort.
Expert Q&A
What is the meaning of the following passage?
"'The doctors agree in ordering me complete rest, an absence of mental excitement,and avoidance of anything in the nature of violent exercise,' announced Framton, who labored under the tolerably widespread delusion that total strangers and chance acquaintances are hungry for the least detail of one's ailments and infirmities, their cause and cure. 'On the matter of diet they are not so much in agreement,' he continued."
The passage highlights Framton Nuttel's self-absorbed nature and his mistaken belief that others are interested in his health issues. He visits the countryside to avoid stress, but becomes even more anxious after hearing Vera's fabricated story about her aunt's missing family, which unnerves him further. Framton's nervousness leads him to incessantly talk about his ailments, revealing his lack of awareness and making him a tedious and uninteresting character compared to Vera's intriguing, albeit deceitful, storytelling.
What effect does the described reaction have on the reader's understanding of the story?
Framton grabbed wildly at his stick and hat, the hall door, the gravel drive, and the front gate were dimly noted stages in his headlong retreat. A cyclist coming along the road had to run into the hedge to avoid imminent collision.
The described reaction highlights how Vera's storytelling manipulates Framton Nuttel's perception of reality, leading him to believe he sees ghosts and prompting his panicked escape. This scene emphasizes the theme that perception can become reality if a story is convincingly told. Nuttel's hasty retreat also sets the stage for Vera to spin another tale, illustrating how easily reality can be distorted by skilled narration.
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