UNIT 1 THE OPEN WINDOW BASED ON A STORY BY SAKI GETTING READY TO READ 1 The story and You In"The Open Window, you will meet Framton Nuttel, a very nervous man. Almost everything in life makes Framton nervous. What are some things that make you nervous? One might be starting the year at a new school. Another might be taking a test when you havent studied very hard, or speaking in front of a large group of people. Talk with your partner about something that makes you nervous 2. About the Author Saki(1870-1916)is the pen name of Hector Hugh Munro. Saki was born in Burma, which was then a British colony, but he was brought to England to live with two stern aunts after his mother died. This is the reason why aunts were one of his favorite subjects for satire. Sakis stories are noted for their wit and humor, which frequently have an ironic twist that leads to a surprise ending. The Open Window is Saki's most popular short story, in which he tells a story of a spontaneous practical joke played upon a visiting stranger. 3. Looking Ahead Look at the illustration on the left How many characters do you think there are in the story? Do you think that the story takes place in the city or in the country? Why do you think the man looks so uncomfortable? What can you see through the open window? Will the three men in the field be important in the story? Why or why not? Read on to see if you are right
THE OPEN WINDOW BASED ON A STORY BY SAKI PART A French window is a large glass door. It usually opens onto a garden at the back of a house. As you will see, a French window plays an important part in this well known story by Sa F ramon Nuttel was sitting in a chair when the young lady entered the room. "My aunt will be down in ten minutes, "the young lady told Framton very calmly She asked me to wait here with you until then Framton wondered what to say to the fifteen-year-old girl. He lelt nervous, very nervous. Strangers always made him feel nervous. Waiting made him feel nervous filkins made him feel nervous. Erwrithtiny made him feel nervous. In lact. he had come to the country to calm his nerves. II His sister had given him some advice. I know just what you need, "she had said "Get away from the city for a while. A week in the country will be good for you. I'lI give you the names of some nice people you can visit while you' re there. Otherwise you'll stay in your room all the time. You won't say a word to anyone. Then your nerves will get worse than ever. Mrs Sappleton was one of the"nice people"she recommended. Now Framton waited for her to come down from upstairs 6"Do you know many people around here?" the young lady finally asked Her words broke a long silence I don't know a of the people around here, "Framton replied. "My sister visited this part of the country four years ago. She met your aunt, Mrs Sappleton, then My sister said that Mrs Sappleton was. very nice. "Then you don't know anything about my aunt?"the calm young lady asked Only her name and addrss, "admitted Mr Nuttel. [2 He looked around the room II Character traits: How different are Framton and the girl in character [2 Finding clues: What does the girl's questioning indicate? See if you are nght after you finish the whole story
and wondered whether or not Mrs Sappleton was married. Something about the room suggested that a man lived there Her terrible tragedy happened exactly three years ago today! "said the girl. " Three years ago today. That was after your sister was here. Her tragedy?"asked Framton, nervously. It didn't seem possible that terrible things could happen in this quiet, peaceful place The niece pointed to a large French window that opened like a big door onto the lawn. o She said, " You are probably wondering why we keep that window wide open on a day in October It is very warm for this time of the year, " said Framton. "But does that window have anything to do with the tragedy? Yes,"said the girl. Just three years ago today. her husband and her two brothers went out through that window. They were going hunting. They never came back! All three drowned d in a swamp. It had been a very rainy summer, you know, and places that had always been safe suddenly became dangerous. Their bodies were never found That was the worst part of it. Here the girl's voice began to crack. o"Poor, dear aunt, said the girl."She has never been able to get over what happened. She still believes that they will all come ①lwn草坪。 drown淹死,淹没 o crack嗓音变哑,哽噎
back some day they and the little brown dog that went with them. She thinks they will walk in through that window the way they always did. That is why that window is kep open every day until it gets dark.[3I The girl shook her head sadly. " Poor aunt, she has often told me how they went out. Her husband had his white raincoat over his shoulder And Ronnie, her younger brother, was singing, London Bridge is falling down, falling down. ' He always sang that to tease her because she said it got on her nerves. Do you know, sometimes, on quiet evenings like this, I get a strange feeling that they will all walk in throug ch that window The girl suddenly began to shake, and she stopped talking. Framton was very glad see the aunt enter the room. I4I 3I Summarizing: What is Mrs. Sappleton's tragedy? Retell it in your own words 14 Finding clues: Why does the girl shake and stop taking? See if you are right after you finish the whole story