Comprehension check:-
Q 1. Why had Framton Nuttel come to the “rural retreat”?
Ans. Framton Nuttel had come to the “rural retreat” for a nerve treatment.
Q 2. Why had his sister given him letters of introduction to people living there ?
Ans. His sister was afraid he would bury himself in the country. He refuses to speak to anyone. His nerves will be at an all-time high. As a result, she had given him letters of introduction to people who lived there.
Q 3. What had happened in the Sappleton family as narrated by the niece ?
Ans. Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and her two young brothers went off for the day shooting out the window in the room three years ago to the day. The three were killed after becoming engulfed in a dangerous patch of bog. Their bodies were never found. They also misplaced the little brown spaniel.
Comprehension Check:-
Q 1. What did Mrs Sappleton say about the open window ?
Ans. Mrs. Sappleton stated that her husband and brothers would be returning home immediately after the shooting through the window.
Q 2. The horror on the girl’s face made Framton swing around in his seat. What did he see ?
Ans. He noticed three figures walking across the lawn towards the window. They were all armed with firearms. One of them was also burdened by a white coat slung over his shoulders. A tired spaniel nipped at their heels.
Comprehension Check:-
Q 1. Why did Framton rush out wildly ?
Ans. Through the window, Framton witnessed a terrifying sight. He noticed three dead people returning home with their dogs. The sight made him feel cold. As a result, he rushed out.
Q 2. What was the girl’s explanation for his lightning exit ?
Ans. According to the girl, he rushed out because of the spaniel. He confessed to her that he was terrified of dogs. He’d seen a spaniel now, and that was enough for his lightning exit.
Exercise:-
Discuss in small groups.
Q 1. Is this a mystery story ? Give a reason for your answer.
Ans. This is, indeed, a mystery story. Ghosts make an appearance in this story. The subject of ghosts is fraught with mystery.
Q 2. You are familiar with the ‘irony’ of the situation in a story.
(Remember The Cop and the Anthem in Class VII Supplementary Reader!)
Which situations in ‘The Open Window’ are good examples of the use of irony?
Ans. Frampton has a nervous breakdown. He travels to the countryside for nerve treatment. He first suffers when he learns that today is the anniversary of Mrs Sappleton’s tragedy. He is shocked even more when he sees the figure of three dead walking across the lawn and approaching the window. This sight causes him to run around wildly. This is the best instance of irony in the story.
Q 3. Which phrases/sentences in the text do you find difficult to understand? Select a few and guess the meaning of each. Rewrite a simple paraphrase of each.
Ans. The room seemed to suggest masculine habitation: It indicated that man lived there.
Tragedies seemed out of place: Tragedies are never expected at such places.
Engulfed in a treacherous piece of bog: The marsh looked safe but they were caught in it and died.
