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

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h