“The Open Window” By Saki

Characterization Dialogue What others say about them Physical appearance Motivations Actions/Movements Internal thoughts

Adjectives: Unit 3 Cherubic How well those photographs of the month-old twins capture the cherubic expressions on their faces. Resembling an angel portrayed as a little child with a beautiful, round, or chubby face; sweet and innocent

Adjectives: Unit 3 Cherubic How well those photographs of the month-old twins capture the cherubic expressions on their faces. Synonyms: Beatific Antonyms: impish, devilish, diabolic, fiendish

Vera: Cherubic? Would you be able to characterize Vera as cherubic? No, probably not after you got to know her. But some of the antonyms work! One character trait of Vera is that she is pretty fiendish and devilish, tricking not only poor Framton with a horrible, made-up story, but also lying to her aunt about Mr. Nuttel’s sudden departure. She is certainly not sweet and innocent.

Adjectives: Unit 3 Eminent A group of eminent scientists met to discuss long-term changes in Earth’s climate. Famous, outstanding, distinguished; projecting

Adjectives: Unit 3 Eminent A group of eminent scientists met to discuss long-term changes in Earth’s climate. Synonyms: illustrious, renowned Antonyms: nameless, unsung, lowly, humble

Eminent Characters? Nope! Nobody is very famous. They don’t even have a profession associated with them particularly, so we can’t say they are any of the antonyms either—nameless, unsung, lowly, or humble. Side note: Imminent = Sudden and about to happen; inevitable. DO NOT CONFUSE THE TWO.

Adjectives: Unit 3 Irate Long delays caused by bad weather are likely to make even the most unflappable traveler irate. Angry

Adjectives: Unit 3 Irate Long delays caused by bad weather are likely to make even the most unflappable traveler irate. Synonyms: Incensed, infuriated, livid Antonyms: Calm, composed, cool, unruffled

Irate: Vera? Framton? Nobody is very angry in this story. Who is the opposite though? Is there anyone calm, composed, and cool? Vera is, definitely. She is in control. Keep in mind that the word irate should be used when discussing a situation where one could be made angry.

Adjectives: Unit 3 Trite When you write an essay or a story, be especially careful to avoid using trite expressions. Commonplace; overused, stale

Adjectives: Unit 3 Trite When you write an essay or a story, be especially careful to avoid using trite expressions. Synonyms: Banal, hackneyed, corny Antonyms: Original, innovative

Who is…trite? What is the purpose of an adjective? To describe a noun. This is where you need to be careful! Trite is an adjective that is used to describe phrases and expressions. Trite is NOT used to describe a person. In other words, nobody is trite. Although what they say can be trite.

“The Open Window” Questions and Answers

“The Open Window” From what does Framton Nuttel suffer? How does this illness help create a paradox? Anxiety. He goes away to get better, but ends up feeling worse. This story does not seem to have as much of a message as “Like the Sun.” What did Framton’s sister give him to take with him and why? Letters of introduction. She can’t go with him.

“The Open Window” What does Framton know of Vera’s aunt? Nothing, much to Vera’s delight. The story within this story begins when Vera tells Framton the reason why the window is left open. What does she say happened three years ago? What is the story she tells Framton? The husband of Mrs. Sappleton and two young brothers (and dog) went out on a night just like this. And they never came back. Dun dun dunnn. So the window stays open in case they’ll return. Tonight is the anniversary of the night they left. What…a coincidence.

“The Open Window” Why does Framton react so strangely when Vera’s aunt returns to the room? Vera’s aunt starts to talk about how she hopes the guys will come back soon. He feels sorry for her and uncomfortable because clearly she has lost hold of reality. Why does Framton run out of the house? Everyone returns! Including the dog! Remember, as far as Framton knows, they’re supposed to be dead.

“The Open Window” What reason does Vera give for why Framton ran off? The dog was scary. How would you describe Framton? Obviously he is anxious and likely to avoid interaction with others, as his sister says. He is also fairly gullible given that he believes Vera’s story. But, overall, he seems to be kind. He felt bad for Vera’s aunt.

“The Open Window” How does Framton describe Vera at the beginning of the story? She’s a very “self-possessed young lady of fifteen.” What motivates Vera to create conflict where none exists? Do you think she is happy with the results? She is bitter that she is being introduced to this guy. She resents the idea that she has to be nice to people just because they’re guests. She is likely very pleased with the results. The final sentence is pretty telling about this.

“Romance at short notice was her specialty.” “The Open Window” “Romance at short notice was her specialty.” In this case, it does not mean romance as in love, but it refers to a story that has adventurous, mysterious, or heroic characters and plot.

“The Open Window” Define dramatic irony. Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that the characters do not. What do we know about Vera at the end of the story that Framton does not? How would our description of her differ from Framton’s? We know that the story of Mr. Sappleton is made up and that he didn’t see a ghost like he thought. We know that she is a liar, liar pants on fire while Framton likely thinks of her as he did in the beginning—a self-possessed young lady.

“The Open Window” This story is told in third person omniscient. What would happen if the point of view changed? How might the story be different if Framton were the narrator? We would hear more about his thoughts and fears. We get some of what he thinks here and there, but when he runs off, that’s when we don’t “hear” anything from him again. We would never understand Vera’s motivation or Mrs. Sappleton’s opinion of him.