Skip to main content

What are examples of foreshadowing in "The Open Window" by Saki?

In Saki's "The Open Window," there is foreshadowing—defined as clues that suggest events that have yet to occur—soon after Vera enters the room where Framton Nuttel awaits her aunt. Nuttel is unsure if such a visit with a stranger will do much for a nerve cure for him. When she asks Framton Nuttel if he knows the people from the area and if he knows much about her aunt, Nuttel answers "Hardly a soul."

At the time that Vera, "the very self-possessed young lady of fifteen," asks Nuttel if he knows anyone from the area and if he is acquainted with her aunt, Mrs. Stappleton, she wants to determine to what lengths her "[R]omance at short notice" can go. Therefore, after Nuttel replies that he knows almost no one in the area, Vera realizes that she can give full rein to her imagination and take advantage of the nervous little man across from her. Cleverly, she proceeds to weave a tale that has some veracity mixed in with fictitious tragic events.


Knowing that Mr. Stappleton and his wife's brothers will soon return from their outing, Vera tells Nuttel that he has arrived, coincidentally, on the "tragic anniversary" of the disappearance of Mr. Stappleton and Mrs. Stappleton's two young brothers, who went hunting but never returned. She weaves a horrific tale of their apparent deaths that Mrs. Stappleton is unable to accept. Instead, Vera claims Mrs. Stappleton continues to hope they will return. Using this backstory, Vera devises an explanation for why the window is open: "each evening the window is kept open until dusk" in the hope that the men will return through it.


As she expresses her pity for her "poor, dear aunt," Vera tells Nuttel that her aunt often relates how Ronnie, her youngest brother would sing, "Bertie, why do you bound?" She adds,



I almost get a creepy feeling that they will walk in through that window—



and then stops abruptly as Mrs. Stappleton finally enters the room. As Nuttel explains why he has come, Vera's aunt stifles a yawn. Then, she abruptly interrupts, "Here, they are at last!" adding that "they" are just in time for tea. When a voice chants, "I said Bertie, why do bound?" Vera feigns a "dazed horror" and a terrified Framton Nuttel rushes out of the house.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more