Skip to main content

What does the author tell the reader in his narration that makes Framton Nuttle appear silly and pathetic in "The Open Window"?

Throughout the narration of "The Open Window," Framton Nuttel is depicted as silly and rather pathetic in his efforts to endeavor to "duly flatter" one person while not "unduly discounting" another who is yet to appear, as well as in his terrified reactions to the fabricated tale of Vera.


Anxious and nervous as he talks with Mrs. Sappleton's niece, Framton Nuttel wonders whether Mrs. Sappleton will be "in the nice division." Further, he questions to...

Throughout the narration of "The Open Window," Framton Nuttel is depicted as silly and rather pathetic in his efforts to endeavor to "duly flatter" one person while not "unduly discounting" another who is yet to appear, as well as in his terrified reactions to the fabricated tale of Vera.


Anxious and nervous as he talks with Mrs. Sappleton's niece, Framton Nuttel wonders whether Mrs. Sappleton will be "in the nice division." Further, he questions to himself whether or not this visit to the Sappleton's in the country will help him with his "nerve cure" which he is supposed to be experiencing. Clearly, in this part of the story, Framton seems more the child than Vera, the niece of Mrs. Sappleton, who has been sent into the room to talk with him until she is ready.


After Vera begins her narration of the supposedly tragic events that have occurred in the Sappleton family, she then breaks off "with a little shudder." Framton feels relief seeing Mrs. Sappleton finally enter the room. As she "rattles on" cheerfully, Framton relaxes. Believing that



...total strangers and chance acquaintances are hungry for the least detail of one's ailments and infirmities, their cause and cure



the nervous little man unloads his medical history to the uneasiness and boredom of his listeners. When Mrs. Sappleton gladly announces that the men have returned from their outing, unaware of the tale Vera has concocted, Framton shivers and feels "a shock of nameless fear." He quickly grabs his stick and hat and makes a "headlong retreat" across the hall, the gravel drive, and even the front gate. "A cyclist coming along...had to run into the hedge to avoid imminent collision." 


Framton Nuttel is a pathetic character; he is so tremulous that he cannot relax. Then, when Vera plays her practical joke upon him, he flees in terror.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can you analyze the poem "Absolution" by Siegfried Sassoon?

Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and... Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and the v...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more