The Open Window

Question

by H. H. Munro (Saki)

“Do you know many of the people round here?” asked the niece, when she judged that they had had sufficient silent communion.

“Hardly a soul,” said Framton. “My sister was staying here, at the rectory, you know, some four years ago, and she gave me letters of introduction to some of the people here.”

He made the last statement in a tone of distinct regret.

“Then you know practically nothing about my aunt?” pursued the self-possessed young lady.

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Question
Use the excerpt from the story “The Open Window” to answer the question.

How does the room shape Nuttel’s assumptions about the strangers who live here?

(1 point)
Responses

He assumes Mrs. Sappleton must either be married or widowed.
He assumes Mrs. Sappleton must either be married or widowed.

He assumes Mrs. Sappleton will hold him to high standards.
He assumes Mrs. Sappleton will hold him to high standards.

He assumes the young lady is trying to coax him to fall in love with her aunt.
He assumes the young lady is trying to coax him to fall in love with her aunt.

He assumes the young lady has invented Mrs. Sappleton.
He assumes the young lady has invented Mrs. Sappleton.

Answer 1

In the excerpt from "The Open Window," the room provides clues about the nature of Mrs. Sappleton and her household. Based on the context and the interaction between Framton Nuttel and the niece, the most accurate assumption he makes is:

He assumes Mrs. Sappleton must either be married or widowed.

Framton's understanding of the social dynamics within the setting, particularly as it pertains to women of that time, leads him to infer the status of Mrs. Sappleton based on the fact that she likely occupies the role of a woman managing a household, a common assumption in the era depicted in the story.