Exam The Open Window Flashcards
Exposition
The nervous Framton and self possessed Vera meet at Mrs. Sappleton’s home
Rising action
Vera very dramatically relates a story about how her aunt’s husband and two brothers left through the window to go hunting and never returned
Climax
As Framton chats with Mrs. Sappleton, the three hunters and their dog stroll toward the open window
Falling Action
Thinking he has seen ghosts, Framton runs from the home in shock
Resolution
Vera concocts a story about framton’s horror of dogs to excuse his sudden departure
Conflicts
Conflicts include the external struggle between Framton and Vera and the internal struggle within Framton between his nerves and reclusive tendencies and his desicion to try to calm down his nerves by meeting total strangers
Irony
the difference between appearance and reality
Three types of irony
dramatic irony
verbal irony
irony of the situation
dramatic irony
something is known by the writer or the audience but unknown to the characters
verbal irony
a character says one thing but means another
irony of situation
an event occurs that is contrary to what is expected by the characters or the audience
Character
individual that takes part in the action of a literary work
protagonist
has a central role in the story
antagonist
works against the protagonist, this friction creates conflict
characterization
the act of creating or describing a character
major character
characters around whom a story is centered
minor characters
play lesser roles in the story and may give the major characters points of interaction
round character
shows emotional complexity and development
flat character
exhibits only a single quality. Are considered stereotypes
dynamic character
are affected by the plot events and, therefore undergo change
static character
remain the same throughout the story
not affected by the events of the story
Characterization techniques
-showing what characters say think or do
-showing what other characters say or think about them
-Describing physical features, dress, and personality characters display
setting
time and place in which a story occurs
author of the open window pseudonym
Saki
author of the open window real name
Hector Hugh Munro
Framton nuttel is described in the social context as
a nervous and depressed man who is new in town
letter of introduction
letter that serves as a kind of social resume and states the newcomers family connections, qualifications, reputation and interests.
when and where is the story set
19th century England
What does Framton think is a good topic of conversation? What does this fact suggest about his character?
He thinks it’s a good topic to talk about his health. This suggests that he is socially awkward and self-centered.
What point of view is this story told and from which character’s perspective?
The story is told from 3rd person pov, omniscient and from Framtons perspective
List questions Vera asks Framton about ‘the people round here’ and about her aunt
Do you know many people round here?
Then you know practically nothing about my aunt?
Infer why Vera would asks the questions she did
Vera wants to see if she would be able to fool Framton by telling him a fictional tale about the family
Identify what Framton knows about the Sappletons before his visit
He knows that his sister knows the family, he knows the name and address of the home
How does Vera direct Framtons attention to the open window? How does framton respond?
Vera says that Framton may think it is odd to have the window open on an autumn afternoon. He responds that it is quite warm for that time of year and wants to know if the window is linked with Mrs. Sappletons “tragedy:
Explain why Vera wants framton to notice the window.
She wants him to notice the window so she can use its being open as a ‘spring board’ for her story.
Record how framton reacts to the arrival of the Hunters and how Ms. Sappleton reacts to Framtons departure
He is shocked and afraid, since he thinks they are ghosts. Mrs. Sappleton thinks that Framtons behavior is eccentric and strange
What does Vera suggest is the reason for Framtons quick departure
Vera suggested that Framton left because of his horror of dogs due to a terrifying experience that happened in Ganges while hunting.
short story
brief work of fiction
point of view
vantage point or perspective from which a story is told
Poor dear aunt
Vera is confident and composed
what a character says
Enough to make anyone lose their nerve
vera is confident and composed
what a character says
“My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel” said a very self-possessed young lady of fifteen
Vera is confident and composed
what the author says
Then you know practically nothing about my aunt?
Vera is manipulaive and deceitful
what a character says
Do you know, sometimes on still, quiet evenings like this I almost get the feeling that they will walk in through the window
vera is manipulative and deceitful
what a character says
she broke off with a little shudder
vera is manipulative and deceitful
what a character does
the child was staring out through the open window with dazed horror in her eyes
vera is manipulative and deceitful
what a character does
Romance at short notice is her specialty
vera is manipulative and deceitful
what the author says
Here the childs voice lost its self-possessed note and became falteringly human
vera is manipulative and deceitful
what the author says
‘The doctor agrees that by ordering me complete rest, an absence of mental excitement, and avoidance of anything in nature of violent, physical exercise.”
Framton is nervous, easily agitated and jumpy
what a character says
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
Framton is nervous, easily agitated and jumpy
What a character does
A most extraordinary man, a Mr. Nuttel” said Mrs. Sappleton “One would think he had seen a ghost”
Framton is nervous, easily agitated and jumpy
what other characters say
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
Framton is nervous, easily agitated and jumpy
what the author says
In a chill shock of nameless fear, Framton swung around his seat and looked in the same direction
Framton is gullible or easily tricked by others
what a character does
It certainly was unfortunate coincidence that he should have paid his visit on this tragic anniversary
Framton is gullible or easily tricked by others
what the author says
to framton, it (mrs sappletons delusion) was all purely horrible
Framton is gullible or easily tricked by others
what the author says
“i know how it will be” his sister said… “You will bury yourself down there and not speak to a living soul…”
Framton is antisocial and reclusive
what other characters say
Do you know many of the people round here?’ asked the niece when she judged they had had sufficient silent communion
Framton is antisocial and reclusive
what the author says
