The Open WindowThe Open Window

By SakiBy Saki

Meet SakiMeet Saki 1870-19161870-1916 Born of an English family in British Born of an English family in British

occupied Burma, Indiaoccupied Burma, India Given name: Hector Hugh MunroGiven name: Hector Hugh Munro

Mother died in a tragic accident; had Mother died in a tragic accident; had to live with strict aunts who quarreled to live with strict aunts who quarreled constantlyconstantly

Found relief at schoolFound relief at school Became a British police officer in Became a British police officer in

India at age 23India at age 23 Was enthralled by the exotic Was enthralled by the exotic

landscape and wild animalslandscape and wild animals Contracted malaria and moved to Contracted malaria and moved to

London, where he pursued his literary London, where he pursued his literary careercareer

Joined the British army and fought in Joined the British army and fought in World War I in 1914World War I in 1914

Killed by a German sniper in France in Killed by a German sniper in France in 19161916 Was 45 years oldWas 45 years old

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Why “Saki”?Why “Saki”? The name The name SakiSaki is often thought is often thought

to be a reference to the to be a reference to the cupbearer in a Russian epic cupbearer in a Russian epic poem called “Rubaiyat of Omar poem called “Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.” Khayyam.”

However, it may be a reference However, it may be a reference to the South American primate to the South American primate of the same name, "a small, of the same name, "a small, long-tailed monkey from the long-tailed monkey from the Western Hemisphere" that is a Western Hemisphere" that is a central character in "The central character in "The Remoulding of Groby Lington,” Remoulding of Groby Lington,” one of Saki’s novels.one of Saki’s novels.

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?

Connecting to the Story

“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.

Building Background

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

Encountering the Unexpected

Setting Purposes for Reading

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.

Flashback

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.

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.

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.

Click a vocabulary term to listen to Click a vocabulary term to listen to the definition.the definition.

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 Click a vocabulary term to listen to the definition.the definition.

SummarySummary Framton Nuttel calls on Mrs. Framton Nuttel calls on Mrs.

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

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