The Open Window By Saki

Meet Saki 1870-1916 Born of an English family in British occupied Burma, India Given name: Hector Hugh Munro Mother died in a tragic accident; had to live with strict aunts who quarreled constantly Found relief at school Became a British police officer in India at age 23 Was enthralled by the exotic landscape and wild animals Contracted malaria and moved to London, where he pursued his literary career Joined the British army and fought in World War I in 1914 Killed by a German sniper in France in 1916 Was 45 years old Click Picture

Why “Saki”? The name Saki is often thought to be a reference to the cupbearer in a Russian epic poem called “Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.” However, it may be a reference to the South American primate of the same name, "a small, long-tailed monkey from the Western Hemisphere" that is a central character in "The Remoulding of Groby Lington,” one of Saki’s novels.

Connecting to the Story In Saki’s “The Open Window,” two characters act on their first impressions of each other. Before you read the short story, think about the following questions: Think about the first time you met someone. What assumptions did you make about him or her? Has your first impression of someone ever turned out to be wrong?

Building Background “The Open Window” takes place at the country manor of the Sappletons, a typical upper-class English family. Wealthy families such as the Sappletons often lived in the city but maintained a second residence in the English countryside, where the pace of life was less stressful. It was not unusual for upper-class families to welcome into their homes strangers who brought with them a letter of introduction from a mutual acquaintance.

Building Background At the time of this story, hunting was a popular amusement among the upper classes. In “The Open Window,” the men are hunting snipe, which are wetland game birds. Bird dogs, such as spaniels, were brought along on a hunt to flush out birds resting in the brush and then retrieve the felled birds.

Setting Purposes for Reading Encountering the Unexpected As you read, pay attention to how Saki uses the twists and turns in the story to manipulate not only the story characters, but his readers as well.

Setting Purposes for Reading Flashback A flashback is an interruption of the chronological order of the story to show an event that happened earlier. Authors use flashback to give readers information that may help explain the main events of the story.

Identifying Sequence To identify sequence is to recognize the order in which the most important events in a literary work happen. In a fictional story such as “The Open Window,” we can look for clues or signal words that point to the chronological, or time, order of events.

self-possessed adj. in control of oneself; composed (p self-possessed adj. in control of oneself; composed (p. 14) Many people were nervous, but she was completely self-possessed. duly adv. rightfully; suitably (p. 14) He was duly impressed with the grand house. moor n. a tract of open, rolling, wild land, often having marshes (p. 15) He pulled on a good pair of boots before hiking across the moor. Click a vocabulary term to listen to the definition.

infirmity n. a weakness or ailment (p infirmity n. a weakness or ailment (p. 16) He once was a vibrant, energetic man, but age and infirmity had slowed him down. imminent adj. likely to happen soon (p.16) Dark, thick clouds are gathering, and rain seems imminent. Click a vocabulary term to listen to the definition.

Summary Framton Nuttel calls on Mrs. Sappleton. As he awaits Mrs. Sappleton, her niece tells him that it is the third anniversary of the disappearance of a hunting party led by Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and that the distraught Mrs. Sappleton refuses to accept the loss and keeps the French window open for the party’s return. Nuttell flees in fear when he sees the supposedly long-missing hunting party approach the house. Page 14