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The open window the author: Saki was the pen- name of Hector Hugh Munro (1870-1916).

He began his literary carrer as a political journlis. He worked in Russia and France. He lost his wife while serving as a soldier in the 1914-18 war. His stories show an understanding of children and of young people who play cleverly and sometimes maliciously ib the feelings of their elders. He also shows a sympathetic understanding of animal, which play major roles in some of his other stories. the story is set in Edwardian England, the period of time early in the 20th century when King Edward VII ruled England. During this time, England was at the peak of its colonial power and its people enjoyed wealth . ''The Open Window'' is set at the country estate of a typical upper-class family of the time. Wealthy Edwardian families often had country homes such as this one. Mr. Nuttel, suffering from an undisclosed nervous illness, has been encouraged to seek refuge in the country. Such a rest in the country where it was believed that a slower pace of life, fresh air, and quiet could cure those suffering from nervous disorders. The formal nature of Nuttal's visit is typical of the wealthy classes of the Edwardian age. His use of a letter of introduction so as to meet people in his new community was a common practice among the upper class of the time. Summary: At the beginning of this story, Frampton Nuttal, a man who is in the countryside as a rest cure for his nerves, is sitting talking to Vera, a 15 year old girl. Vera is a niece of Mrs Sappleton, a woman to whom Frampton has been given a letter of introduction by his sister. While they are waiting for Mrs Sappleton to come downstairs, Vera tells Frampton that her aunt's husband and two young brothers were drowned in the marshes while out shooting several years ago. The tragedy sent the aunt out of her mind, and she always keeps the French window (glass door) into the garden open, believing that they will come back. Mrs Sappleton then arrives, apologising for the open window and explaining that she is expecting her husband and brothers any moment. Frampton plays along with her, until he is horrified by seeing three figures, and a dog, coming out of the dusk towards the house. He runs away in panic; the husband and brothers arrive, very puzzled by the guest's strange behaviour. Vera calmly

tells them that it must have been the dog; he told her he was terrified of dogs after being attacked by wild dogs in India. Vera is very good at making up stories quickly. What Are The Characters Of The Open Window? The main character is Framptom Nuttell. He suffers from nervous problems, and loves talking about his illnesses. He is also very timid, and easily deceived as we see from how readily he believes Vera's story. Framton Nuttel's sister once spent time in the same town to which Framton has come for relaxation. She has given him a number of letters of Introduction with which he is to make himself known to a number of people in the town. Mrs. Sappleton is the recipient of such a letter, and it is this that brings Nuttel to her home. Mr. Nuttels name is ironic in the sense that it comes from words that mean crazy, mentally unstable, nuts, etc. and that is exactly how his character is described in the story.

Vera is the other main character. She is clever, quick-witted, very inventive and has a cruel, ironical sense of humour; she is sly. She enjoys terrifying Frampton (whose doctors have warned him not to get into frightening situations.) She is also a good actress - she manages to make Frampton believe that she is also terrified of the "ghosts", for instance. Veras name comes from words that mean truth or honesty, while in reality Vera lies and manipulates the truth due to the circumstances of her situation. Vera breaks this silence by taking advantage of Mr. Nuttel and how he does not know anyone in the area and creates a story to scare him and make him believe that her aunt Mrs. Sappleton is crazy and unbalanced. The statement by Vera, Then you know practically nothing about my aunt? reveals an ironic twist for Mr. Nuttel. Vera leads him to believe that Mrs. Sappleton is crazy by explaining the loss of Mrs. Sappletons husband and two younger brothers death, and also the reason she keeps the window open. When eventually Mrs. Sappleton arrives, Mr. Nuttel truly believes that her husband and two brothers are dead. Therefore, when Mr. Sappleton and the brothers return, Mr. Nuttel gets very scared and runs away as if he had seen a ghost. When the Sappeltons comment on Mr. Nuttels quick departure, Vera assures the family that he left because he was scared of dogs because of a bad experience he had a couple years ago.

Mrs Sappleton ismucho). She is very talkative She in her owninterested in her kind, but quite concerns.She is ratled on ( habla to be politeto him. We absorbed isn't very is also fooled by visitor, but tries kind can guess that she Vera.

Vocabulary: 1. snipe - a type of wading bird

2. pariah - member of lowest class in India; a social outcast 3. rectory - a home occupied by a minister or clergy 4. moor - a broad area of open land, often high but poorly drained, with patches of heath and peat bogs 5. bog - soft, waterlogged ground; a marsh 6. falter - to be unsteady in purpose or action, as from loss of courage or confidence; waver 7. infirmities - frailties; disabilities 8. imminent - about to occur; impending

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