The Open Window

Question

by H. H. Munro (Saki)

“My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel,” said a very self-possessed young lady of fifteen; “in the meantime you must try and put up with me.”

Framton Nuttel endeavoured to say the correct something which should duly flatter the niece of the moment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come. Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits on a succession of total strangers would do much towards helping the nerve cure which he was supposed to be undergoing.

“I know how it will be,” his sister had said when he was preparing to migrate to this rural retreat; “you will bury yourself down there and not speak to a living soul, and your nerves will be worse than ever from moping. I shall just give you letters of introduction to all the people I know there. Some of them, as far as I can remember, were quite nice.”

Framton wondered whether Mrs. Sappleton, the lady to whom he was presenting one of the letters of introduction, came into the nice division.

"The Open Window" by H.H. Munro ("Saki")

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

How does the setting influence Mr. Nuttel’s expectations about the interaction he is about to have?

(1 point)
Responses

He is reminded of a conversation with his sister and expects to meet someone like her.
He is reminded of a conversation with his sister and expects to meet someone like her.

He expects the surroundings to be isolating and depressing.
He expects the surroundings to be isolating and depressing.

He expects the country people to be unsophisticated and foolish.
He expects the country people to be unsophisticated and foolish.

He does not expect the visit among strangers to have much value.
He does not expect the visit among strangers to have much value.

Answer 1

The setting in "The Open Window" influences Mr. Nuttel’s expectations by creating a sense of isolation and unfamiliarity. He is in a rural retreat, which makes him feel as if he is among total strangers. This contributes to his inner doubt about the value of the visit. Given these circumstances and his previous conversation with his sister, he does not expect the visit among strangers to have much value. Therefore, the correct response would be:

He does not expect the visit among strangers to have much value.