Point of View: The Open Window & Thinking Zone

The Open Window
Saki (H. H. Munro)

About the Story

1. Identify at least one example of foreshadowing at the beginning of the story that hints at the character of Vera, Mrs. Sappleton's niece. 

* A very-self possessed young fifteen year old.

2. "The Open Window" uses the limited omniscient point of view through most of the story. Which character does Saki use to view the events?

* Framton Nuttel.

3. At what point do you begin to suspect that Vera was making up her story?

*When the men showed up at the house.

4. In the last four paragraphs of the story, Saki changes point of view. What is the point of view of these last four paragraphs? Explain, use the definitions given to you earlier. 

*Third person omniscient view point / Story teller knows all.  

5. Why do you think the author chose to alter the story's viewpoint near the ending?

*So that the reader knows how everybody feels and thinks about each other. And it is how he made it funny.

Thinking Zone: genre, frame story, anecdote, historical fiction

1.  Based on the definition of frame story, which of the selections in this unit is part of a frame story? Why does the story fit into that genre?

Forty thieves, story after story to stay alive.

2. Which story best fits the definition of historical fiction? How does it fit that description?

After The Battle, the Civil War actually happened in real life.

3.  Which of the three selections fits the definition of anecdote? How does it fulfill those requirements?

The Open Window.

begins serious and end funny/short story.

4. In "The Open Window", the narrator uses the limited-omniscient viewpoint for most of the story, focusing on Nuttel's perspective. How does that point of view aid the author in accomplishing the purposes of the genre he is using?

By making it serious until you get to the end change the point of view to make it funny.