By SAKI.STUDYING THE SHORT STORY. I- INTRODUCTION. 1. Introduce the document. a) Nature and origin. You can say a few words about the author who is well-known. b) Refer to the definition of a short-story and decide: who is the main character what is the prevailing mood. what is the essential effect 2. Sum up the short-story bringing into relief the characters , the facts and the end of the story. 3. Modern short stories often include several clues, a twist and a surprise ending. Show that this is a case here. 4. Justify the title. Explain that the part played by the open window is essential. II- COMMENTING UPON THE MAIN IDEAS. A- The author- the reader - the characters. 1. Did you find out whether Mrs Sappleton's husband and brother were present ( real) or just one of Vera's inventions? 2. When do we know exactly whether the story is true or false? 3. What's the common point between Mr Framton Nuttel and the reader? 4. What was the author's purpose?( Show that the story can be regarded as a series of jokes. Identify the jokes, then for each of them, say who is telling it, who is being fooled) B- The characters. 1. Draw Vera's, Mr Nuttel's and Mrs Sappleton's portraits. Describe their physical apperances Describe and analyse their characters. Don't forget to justify quoting from the text C-The trap. Explain how Vera laid out a devilish trap for Mr Nuttel and why she liked doing so. D- Irony. Give examples of irony in the short story and explain. III- CONCLUDING. 1. Rephrase the main ideas. 2. Say why you liked or disliked this short story by Saki. Marie Laure Ville, Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet, 1L Page 1 In the days of Saki. A technique by which the writer intends his meaning to be understood differently from what he overtly says. I INTRODUCTION 1. usually set amid haunted castles. graveyards. very often at the end of a short story. Saki was born in Burma and brought up in North Devon by two aunts. Irony: from the Greek 'dissimulation'. We are introduced to a mad aunt who is living in a dream world apparently because she never managed to recover from the shock of having lost her husband and her two young brothers. Saki is the pseudonym of Hector Hugh Munro ( 1870-1916). Short-story: a relatively brief invented prose narrative that typically deals with a limited group of characters involved in a single action. India became independent in 1947 and Burma in 1948. Analysing the structure of the short-story. may lead to a full understanding of something or the discovery of something hidden. They reached the height of their fashion in the 1790s and the early years of the 19th cent. and we are told that the poor old woman is so mad that she leaves the window open in case they come back! The effect: is similar to that of a gothic novel or a horror story ( Gothic novel: tales of the macabre. BACKGROUND INFORMATION. 1L Page 2 . LITERARY APPRECIATION. b) The main character is Mr Framton Nuttel The prevailing mood is one of horror. Ex: The castle of Otranto by Walpole) Marie Laure Ville.By SAKI. India and Burma were part of the British Empire. and often concentrates on the creation of mood rather than the telling of a story. that properly interpreted. OBJECTIVES. ruins and wild picturesque landscapes. To make things worse we are given a lot of gruesome details about the way the three men disappeared. COMMENTING UPON THE SHORT STORY. A surprise ending: an ending that comes as a shock to the reader A clue: an indication. Quite a number of his short-stories are set in India. Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet. fantastic and supernatural. Reading and analysing a complete short-story. A twist: an unexpected change or development. usually aims at unity of effect. as in the Open Window. the characters. So Mrs Sappleton always had the French window open. because she expected them to come back one of these days.25 should have roused Nuttel's and our suspicion. In fact Vera. Note that in a similar way she uses the dog as a starting point for the second story which is just as gruesome.92: " Romance at short notice was her specialty" 4. 1L Page 3 . whose specialty was "romance at short notice" had invented the whose story. in the last line 3.the reader . Like Mr Nuttel. a self-possessed girl who told him about her aunt's supposed tragedy: her husband and two brothers had disappeared during a shooting party. Marie Laure Ville. clues: The first words of the niece should be understood as a warning " You must try and put up with me". Surprise ending : l. NAMES Present Mr Framton Nuttel Mrs Sappleton Vera Mrs Sappleton's husband Mrs Sappleton's two young brothers ( one of them = Ronnie) the spaniel Not present Mr Nuttel's sister RELATIONSHIPS (major character) Vera's aunt ( major character) Mrs Sappleton's niece ( major character) Vera's uncle ( minor character) Vera's uncles ( minor characters) Not a human but the family dog . Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet. so that he could spend a while in the countryside and get cured.a relation of Mrs Sappleton's Mr Nuttel. We know exactly that the story is false at the end . we are not necessarily suffering from nervous breakdown. "You will bury yourself down there" l. Knows Mrs Sappleton . The reader gets the impression that it is a fantastic story. Mr Nuttel. was recommended by his sister to Mrs Sappleton. knowing that Mr Nuttel had bad nerves. The twist: l. he met Mrs Sappleton's niece. First. but they are seen only at the second reading. IIA The author.9 is echoed in the last paragraph " the undefinable something about the room which seemed to suggest masculine habitation"l. Vera. A short time after Mrs Sappleton's arrival in the room. Clues are everywhere. the three men did come back. If the window hadn't been open. Vera would have had no starting point for the first horrible story.has an importance for Vera's new story at the end.2. the reader believes in Vera's story and imagines that the hunters are ghosts. ran away and just avoided collision with a cyclist. 1. thinking that he had seen ghosts. 3. But unlike him.36: " here they are at last". Mrs Sappleton's husband and brother were real! ( from line63 to the end ) 2. who was suffering from nervous breakdown. when the other characters appear in the window l.39: " here the child's voice lost its self-posessed note and became falteringly human" l. At the end she starts on a new story about Mr Nuttel. even more exotic and imaginative than the previous ones ( banks of the Ganges.49: " she broke off with a little shudder". This is one of the points of interest of Saki's short-story. She knows how to play a role. So she starts a new romance. how to pretend. you must try and put with me" She has imagination: invents such a story. Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet.20 " in a tone of distinct regret") He is naive: He never questions the veracity of Vera's story Marie Laure Ville. That was not true at all. 15 years old: adolescence/childhood: as she is still young she might not realize what harm she is doing. only known through his weak nerves. He was reluctant to meet hose strangers ( l.2)( =assuré. She adds that it is the third anniversary l. VERA: ( the name can make one think of veracity. Rebellion against the world of adults ( she wants to be nasty to a rather boring man who only thought of his nerves) She is self-possessed ( l. She is only known through her character and age. She's a liar: l.2: "in the meantime.88 " he told me he had a horror of dogs". The author's purpose was to trick the reader.34 and l. When Mrs Sappleton appears. spending the night in a grave) She is cheeky: ( effrontée. a new story.3: " endeavoured to say the correct something which would flatter the niece of the moment without discounting the aunt that was to come" He is prejudiced against the people he was going to meet right from the start: boring countryside full of boring people. Indeed.74: " the child was staring out through the window with dazed horror in her eyes" l. such a tragedy. 1L Page 4 .4. scene in a cemetery . cynical: taking advantage of such a fragile/weak creature just for fun. insolente): l. " he told me he had a horror of dogs" She is quick-witted /clever: She analyses the situation and the people ( quickly sees that Mr Nuttel is going to be an easy victim or prey and she's going to build up a clever trap L. Moreover a world of fantasy and reality intermingles in her mind. qui garde son sang-froid). the story can be regarded as a series of jokes B-The characters. She's devilish.88 'I expect it was the spaniel" said the niece calmly. She is a comedian:l.92: Romance at short notice was her specialty" No sooner had she finished with her stories than she began another one.to be nuts = to be mad) No physical description. which is totally opposite to what she says) No physical description. to play with the reader as Vera did with Mr Nuttel. Mr NUTTEL ( in Nuttel: the word "nut" .63. He is ill-at-ease and formal from the start:l. But for the reader and Mr Nuttel she does look deranged: She seems to have an obsession ( mad people do have some!) She immediately talks about the window and the return of her husband and brothers and she keeps looking at the same window (l. "she judged" means that she was in command. Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet.71: She suddenly gets excited at the vision of the three men's return. she makes sure that he is a perfect stranger and doesn't know her aunt ( l. he finds the story " ghastly" (l.49-50: She seems to be a gay. she was the boss of the person in charge l.69: "a yawn": he only interpreted it as a lack of interest for what was taking place in the room.4649) l. For Mr Nuttel she's definitely mad. l. a typical hostess She does not look like a deranged person at all.The trap. but actually she is rather getting bored with him. lively friendly woman ( "bustled into the room with a whirl of apologies for being late in making her appearance"). It means that the atmosphere got tense enough so that Mr Nuttel had become illat-ease. Mr Nuttel " shivered" with fear "(l.15. Mr Nuttel believes that she is obsessed by the return of her husband. Marie Laure Ville.53-55. which will be used at the end of the short story to convince Mr Nuttel of its veracity) She knows how to create the right atmosphere (l. which would confirm her obsession.49" she broke off with a little shudder.59) MRS SAPPLETON ( phonetically Sappleto sounds like 'simpleton'= simple-minded person) Not much is known about her. C.15-16) " when she judged that they had sufficient silent communion". Vera's devilish trap: She immediately sees that Mr Nuttel is going to be an easy victim/prey since he is suffering from nervous breakdown and is here to cure his nerves. L. l.60-61). she is seen through Vera's story and imagination and then through Mr Nuttel's eyes. Furthermore. First.21. 1L Page 5 . l. which shows that she was probably not listening.69 she just answers "No?". Mrs Sappleton was always thinking of the people who were going to appear at the window. who thinks that she is mentally deranged. It was a relief to Framton when the aunt bustled in…" Mrs Sappleton's words when she appears confirms her derangement l. l. for him.73).26) She gives precise details about the tragedy ( the spaniel and the song.His imagination misled him ( also his broken nerves): the aunt was always looking at the open window or not paying attention to them ( l. 57: "She has been very interesting" Mr Nuttel says. deceived.When the three men appear. So the scene looks exactly like the one Vera had described earlier. l. Mr Nuttel is ill-at-ease and would like to break that " communion". The situation becomes ironical in retrospect when the reader actually understood what has really happened. Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet. The reader. 1L Page 6 . and avoidance of anything in the nature of violent physical exercise". l. Between Vera and Mr Nuttel. Here the irony comes from the author/narrator. l. an absence of mental excitement. In fact he means that he learnt something interesting about her. Mrs Sappleton's young brother's voice is "hoarse" as if coming from another world.51 " I hope Vera has been amusing you" ( in fact Mr Nuttel is not amused) l. Moreover Mrs Sappleton was not aware at all of what was really happening.64-65 " The doctors agree in ordering complete rest. you're on time this morning" to someone who is always late) Situational irony: the situation described does not correspond to reality or is in contrast what should happen or has happened. Marie Laure Ville. like Mr Nuttel believes in Vera's story till the end. there is in fact no communion. l. In fact the reverse is going to take place. The ghosts were real people. These are only hypotheses. against the world of adults She had a boring life in the country and wanted to have a bit of fun. The meaning may be contrary to the words ( "oh.(l. the reader is misled.Irony.74) Why did she play that cynical game with Mr Nuttel? Because of her character: cynical .62: " coincidence".imaginative She was still a child: didn't realize exactly what she was doing Or being an adolescent she wanted to be provocative. D. the scene is rather ghastly: The people are just figures because of the "twilight" and "the dusk" They walk " noiselessly" like ghosts. She immediately realised that Mr nuttel would be an easy prey. Situational irony: The whole story is built on situational irony. He/she doesn't know what has actually happened until the end. about her supposedly madness. Verbal irony: l.16: " silent communion". Verbal irony: saying what one does not mean.86-87: "One would think he had seen a ghost". Marie Laure Ville.l. Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet.46-48: " Do you know. sometimes on still. Verbal and situational irony are often closely linked together and it is difficult to say which is which. quiet evenings like this. I almost get a creepy feeling that they will all walk in through that window" Of course she knows that they will come in since they never disappeared. 1L Page 7 . bog . impending Marie Laure Ville. often high but poorly drained. with patches of heath and peat bogs 5.to be unsteady in purpose or action.about to occur. The practical joke recurs in many of Saki's stories.The Open Window | Introduction "The Open Window'' is Saki's most popular short story. 1L Page 8 .a home occupied by a minister or clergy 4. falter . waterlogged ground. but "The Open Window'' is perhaps his most successful and best known example of the type.soft. Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet. waver 7.a type of wading bird 2. as from loss of courage or confidence. moor . the reader. Not only does the unfortunate Mr. Nuttel fall victim to the story's joke. disabilities 8.a broad area of open land. rectory . imminent . but so does the reader.frailties. a marsh 6. The reader is at first inclined to laugh at Nuttel for being so gullible. demonstrating how difficult it can be to distinguish between them. pariah . too. However. snipe . has been taken in by Saki's story and must come to the realization that he or she is also inclined to believe a well-told and interesting tale. a social outcast 3.member of lowest class in India. Vocabulary: 1. Saki's wit is at the height of its power in this story of a spontaneous practical joke played upon a visiting stranger. Saki dramatizes here the conflict between reality and imagination. It was first collected in Beasts and SuperBeasts in 1914. infirmities . 1. why is the window left open? 11. 1L Page 9 . Identify and describe the characters in the story. Vera tells Framton a ghastly story. Who is the protagonist and the antagonist? 4. What did Framton’s sister give him to take with him and why? 6. How might the story be different if Framton were the narrator? II. Who greets him upon his arrival? 8. From what does Framton Nuttel suffer? 5.READING AND UNDERSTANDING. Be sure to use complete sentences. . . Thoroughly summarize the story? 10. In whose home is framton during the majority of the story? 7. Why does Framton run out of the house? What caused his departure? 12. What does a bicyclist have to do to avoid hitting Framton? 13 What explanation does Vera offer when Framton leaves the rectory? How is her explanation ironic? 13. Below write quotes that support that this is third person omniscient. Example: “Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits . POINT OF VIEW This story is told from the third person omniscient. Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet. Who is the author? 2. What is the author’s real name? 3. I-QUESTIONS: Answer the following questions. According to Vera. would do much” Marie Laure Ville. What does Framton know of Vera’s aunt? 9. some four years ago. Some of them. when she judged that they had had sufficient silent communion." Framton Nuttel endeavored to say the correct something which should duly Hatter the niece of the moment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come." said Framton. Munro) "My aunt will be down presently. "you will bury yourself down there and not speak to a living soul. 1L Page 10 . That is why the window is kept open every evening till it is quite dusk." said the niece. they and the little brown spaniel that was lost with them. and places that were safe in other years gave way suddenly without warning. "It is quite warm for the time of the year." said Framton. "You may wonder why we keep that window wide open on an October afternoon. you know.H. "Poor aunt always thinks that they will come back someday. "but has that window got anything to do with the tragedy?" "Out through that window. Privately he doubted more than ever 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 "I know how it will be. An undefinable something about the room seemed to suggest masculine habitation." his sister had said when he was preparing to migrate to this rural retreat. I shall just give you letters of introduction to all the people I know there. They never came back. "Then you know practically nothing about my aunt?" pursued the self-possessed young lady. "Hardly a soul." said a very self-possessed young lady of fifteen. It had been that dreadful wet summer. "Do you know many of the people round here?" asked the niece. He was wondering whether Mrs. Poor dear Marie Laure Ville. were quite nice. Their bodies were never recovered. as far as I can remember." admitted the caller." Framton wondered whether Mrs. That was the dreadful part of it." He made the last statement in a tone of distinct regret. her husband and her two young brothers went off for their day's shooting." said the child. you know.The Open Window by Saki (H. three years ago to a day. Sappleton was in the married or widowed state. "Her great tragedy happened just three years ago. Mr. "that would be since your sister's time. and your nerves will be worse than ever from moping. Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet. at the rectory. Nuttel. Sappleton. and she gave me letters of introduction to some of the people here. In crossing the moor to their favorite snipe-shooting ground they were all three engulfed in a treacherous piece of bog. "in the meantime you must try and put up with me." "Her tragedy?" asked Framton. indicating a large French window that opened on to a lawn. "Only her name and address. "My sister was staying here. the lady to whom he was presenting one of the letters of introduction came into the nice division. somehow in this restful country spot tragedies seemed out of place. and walk in at that window just as they used to do." Here the child's voice lost its self-possessed note and became falteringly human. the hall door. In a chill shock of nameless fear Framton swung round in his seat and looked in the same direction. A tired brown spaniel kept close at their heels. Then she suddenly brightened into alert attention--but not to what Framton was saying. her youngest brother. and avoidance of anything in the nature of violent physical exercise. It was certainly an unfortunate coincidence that he should have paid his visit on this tragic anniversary. A cyclist coming along the road had to run into the hedge to avoid imminent collision. and they always come in this way. It was a relief to Framton when the aunt bustled into the room with a whirl of apologies for being late in making her appearance. coming in through the window." Marie Laure Ville. "Just in time for tea." announced Framton. "I hope you don't mind the open window. and the front gate were dimly noted stages in his headlong retreat. and the prospects for duck in the winter. but most of it's dry. 1L Page 11 . quiet evenings like this. Bertie. Sappleton. "On the matter of diet they are not so much in agreement. a Mr. because she said it got on her nerves. they all carried guns under their arms. "No?" said Mrs. "Here they are at last!" she cried. "my husband and brothers will be home directly from shooting. she has often told me how they went out. Who was that who bolted out as we came up?" "A most extraordinary man. sometimes on still. "She has been very interesting. singing 'Bertie. and her eyes were constantly straying past him to the open window and the lawn beyond. their cause and cure. my dear. "The doctors agree in ordering me complete rest. So like you menfolk. Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet.aunt. I almost get a creepy feeling that they will all walk in through that window--" She broke off with a little shudder. To Framton it was all purely horrible. The child was staring out through the open window with a dazed horror in her eyes." said Mrs. He made a desperate but only partially successful effort to turn the talk on to a less ghastly topic. and one of them was additionally burdened with a white coat hung over his shoulders. Do you know. "I hope Vera has been amusing you?" she said. They've been out for snipe in the marshes today. her husband with his white waterproof coat over his arm." he continued." said Framton. why do you bound?' as he always did to tease her. Nuttel." said the bearer of the white mackintosh. he was conscious that his hostess was giving him only a fragment of her attention. One would think he had seen a ghost. in a voice which only replaced a yawn at the last moment. Sappleton briskly. and then a hoarse young voice chanted out of the dusk: "I said. an absence of mental excitement. Sappleton. and don't they look as if they were muddy up to the eyes!" Framton shivered slightly and turned towards the niece with a look intended to convey sympathetic comprehension. 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." said Mrs. Noiselessly they neared the house. so they'll make a fine mess over my poor carpets. "Here we are. isn't it?" She rattled on cheerfully about the shooting and the scarcity of birds. "fairly muddy. and dashed off without a word of goodby or apology when you arrived. In the deepening twilight three figures were walking across the lawn towards the window. and Ronnie. the gravel drive. "could only talk about his illnesses. why do you bound?" Framton grabbed wildly at his stick and hat. END Marie Laure Ville. He was once hunted into a cemetery somewhere on the banks of the Ganges by a pack of pariah dogs. Enough to make anyone lose their nerve." Romance at short notice was her speciality. and had to spend the night in a newly dug grave with the creatures snarling and grinning and foaming just above him. "he told me he had a horror of dogs."I expect it was the spaniel. 1L Page 12 ." said the niece calmly. Ensemble Scolaire Rivier Vernet.