THE OPEN WINDOW By Saki - SUMMARY, ANALYSIS & MCQs
“The Open Window” গল্পের সারাংশ (বাংলা)
Summary of “The Open Window” by Saki
Mr. Framton Nuttel, a man suffering from a nervous condition, visits a quiet countryside village to rest. He carries with him letters of introduction from his sister and arrives at the home of Mrs. Sappleton, a local woman he has never met.
While waiting for Mrs. Sappleton, he is greeted by her 15-year-old niece, Vera. She strikes up a conversation and tells him a tragic story: three years ago, Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and two younger brothers went out hunting and never returned — they were supposedly swallowed by a bog. Vera adds that her aunt keeps the French window (a large open window) open every evening in the hope that they will come back one day.
When Mrs. Sappleton appears, she behaves quite normally and talks about her husband and brothers returning soon from hunting — which confuses and unsettles Mr. Nuttel, who believes they are dead.
A moment later, Mr. Nuttel sees three men with guns approaching the house through the open window. Convinced that he is seeing ghosts, he panics and flees the house in terror.
In the final twist, it is revealed that the story Vera told was a complete lie. The men were alive all along, and Vera simply invented the tale to amuse herself at Mr. Nuttel’s expense. She then smoothly makes up another lie to explain his sudden departure — claiming he had a phobia of dogs.
Analysis of “The Open Window” by Saki
"The Open Window" is a classic example of Saki’s witty and ironic storytelling. The story plays on how appearances can be misleading. Vera’s calm and serious storytelling makes her lies believable. The open window, which seems symbolic of grief and tragedy, turns out to be just a regular window- quite dramatic, isn't it?
Irony and Humour: Saki uses situational irony masterfully. The reader — like Mr. Nuttel — expects a ghost story to unfold, but in the end, we find that Vera was only joking. The story ends with dark humour and a surprising twist that turns fear into farce.
Character Analysis:
Mr. Nuttel: Nervous, gullible, and socially awkward. He becomes the perfect target for Vera’s prank.
Vera: A mischievous and imaginative girl. She appears polite and innocent but is very clever and deceptive.
Mrs. Sappleton: Talkative and friendly, unaware of the story Vera has made up.
Narrative Style: Saki uses a third-person narrator with limited information, allowing readers to be tricked just like Mr. Nuttel. The simple setting and short length help build tension quickly, ending with a sharp and witty punchline.
The story doesn’t preach a moral but offers a clever commentary on human nature — how people can easily be fooled by appearances, and how some (like Vera) enjoy manipulating others for amusement and showcases a well-told lie can be very powerful.
"The Open Window" by Saki MCQ Questions-Answers for Class XI Semester 1 Rapid Reader
1. Who is the writer of the lesson “The open window”?
a. T.S. Eliot
b. Pablo Neruda
c. Ruskin Bond
d. H. H. Munro
2. How old was the niece?
a. Twelve
b. Fourteen
c. Fifteen
d. Sixteen
3. What was the niece’s name?
a. Vera
b. Vara
c. Vira
d. Vari
4. Mrs. Sappleton lived in a deserted place with her ________.
a. Brother
b. Niece
c. Husband
d. All these
5. The open window is mystery story full of ________.
a. Thrill and romance
b. Romance and romance
c. Horror and suspense
d. Romance
6. Why had Mr Nuttle come to the country?
a. For retirement
b. For enjoyment
c. For nerve cure
d. All of the Above
7. What did Mr Nuttle's sister give him?
a. Letter of recommendation
b. Map of the country
c. Her place of residence
d. Letters of Introduction to people
8. How many years ago did his sister stay in the country?
a. Seven
b. Four
c. Five
d. Six
9. What did he say when the niece asked, “Do you know many of the people round here?”
a. “Yes”
b. “No”
c. “Many”
d. “Hardly a soul”
10. “ An undefinable something about the room seemed to suggest_________ habitation”
a. Masculine
b. Feminine
c. Animal
d. Human
11. When did her tragedy happen?
or
How many years back, the tragedy happened to Mrs. Sappleton in which she lost her husband and two young brothers?
a. One year ago
b. Two years ago
c. Three years ago
d. Four years ago
12. Who warned Mr. Framton Nuttel about going to the rural retreat for nerves cure?
a. The niece of Mrs. Sappleton
b. Mrs. Sappleton
c. Mr. Nuttel's sister
d. Mrs Sappleton husband
13. Who gave Mr. Frampton the "Letters of introduction "for all the people?
a. Ronnie
b. Husband of Mrs, Sappleton
c. Mrs. Sappleton's niece
d. Sister of Mr. Nuttel
14. "You may wonder why we keep that window wide open on an _______ afternoon”
a. October
b. November
c. December
d. March
15. Who all went for shooting?
a. Mrs Sappleton’s husband
b. Mrs Sappleton’s two brothers
c. Spaniel
d. All of the Above
16. How has the niece been described?
a. Not confident
b. Self-possessed
c. Cheerful
d. Anxious
17. The Vera told Framton about a ________.
a. A family dispute
b. Family mishap
c. Ghost in the house
d. None of these
18. What was the name of Mrs Sappleton’s younger brother?
a. Framton
b. Ronnie
c. Ruskin
d. Robert
19. “ That is why the window is kept open every evening till it is quite ____.”
a. Dawn
b. Night time
c. Morning
d. Dusk
20. What did the doctors not agree on?
a. Framton’s complete rest
b. Presence of mental excitement in Framton’s life
c. Framton’s diet
d. All of the above
21. What was the filling of Mrs. Framton when the aunt tells the story about her husband and her brother?
a. It pleaded him
b. It worsen his nerves
c. He felt angry
d. He felt humorous
22. What was the husband of Mrs. Sappleton wearing, when they went for a shooting expedition?
a. Black water proof coat
b. A long hat
c. White water proof coat
d. Pant coat
23. What kind of attention did Mrs. Sappleton give to Mr. Framton when he was telling about his disease to her?
a. She gives a great attention to him
b. She sleeps while talking to him
c. She gives a very little attention
d. She become angry
24. What suddenly caught Mrs Sappleton’s attention?
a. Framton’s detail about his illness
b. Her husband and three brothers
c. Vera
d. None of the above
25. What were Mrs Sappleton’s family just in time for?
a. Breakfast
b. Lunch
c. Dinner
d. Tea
26. How did Mrs Sappleton's family appear to ?
a. muddy up to the eyes
b. clean and washed
c. freshly bathed
d. didn't come at all
27. “Framton shivered slightly and turned towards the niece with a look intended to convey ___________ comprehension”
a. Empathetic
b. Consoling
c. Comforting
d. Sympathetic
28. For which purpose Mrs. Sappleton's husband and young brother went to near the moor?
a. Party
b. Dancing
c. Shooting
d. Talking
29. What do Vera, Mrs. Sappleton and Nuttel see out of the window?
a. Nothing but blue sky
b. Three zombies
c. A swarm of locust
d. The missing people returning
30. According to Vera, what has become of Mrs. Sappleton's husband and two younger brothers?
a. They drowned in a bog
b. They were shot in the forest, like deer
c. They all went insane
d. They died of consumption
31. “In the deepening twilight three figures were walking across the lawn towards the window, they all carried ____ under their arms,”
a. White coat
b. Guns
c. Sapiens
d. None of the above
32. “and one of them was additionally burdened with a _____ hung over his shoulders”
a. White coat
b. Guns
c. Sapiens
d. None of the above
33. “and one of them was additionally burdened with a white coat hung over his shoulders” - who is that person?
a. Mr Sappleton
b. Ronnie
c. Bertie
d. Vera
34. What were the dimly noted stages in his headlong retreat?
a. Hall door
b. Gravel drive
c. Front gate
d. All of the Above
35. Who was Framton about to have a collision with?
a. Mrs Sappleton
b. Mrs Sappleton’s husband
c. Cyclist
d. Sapien
36. What according to the niece, scared Framton away?
a. Ghost
b. Mrs Suppleton
c. Sapien
d. Dog
37. “He was once hunted into a cemetery somewhere on the banks of the ______ by a pack of dogs”
a. Ganges
b. Countryside
c. Village
d. Yamuna
38. Vera told her aunt that Mr. Framton had a horror of ________.
a. Lizards
b. Dogs
c. Ghosts
d. Rats
39. “_______ at short notice was her specialty”
a. Romance
b. Drama
c. Storytelling
d. Lying
40. For getting his nerves cured, to whom Mr. Nuttel calls?
a. His family friend
b. A family friend
c. His father
d. A stranger
41. What is the meaning of word "Endeavoured"?
a. Very happy
b. Try to influence some one
c. Tried
d. Angry
42. According to Vera what is the reason behind opening the window of the home wide open on an October afternoon?
a. Because the aunt hear sweet songs from that window every October
b. Because the poor aunt is sick
c. Because the poor aunt always think her husband and her brother will come through that window
d. The aunt has some mental disease
43. What is the meaning of 'Falteringly'?
a. Shaky
b. Tender
c. Harsh
d. Confident
44. Who was also among her husband and two youngest brothers when they were going for a shooting expedition?
a. A small cat
b. A white dog
c. A brown spaniel
d. A brown bear
45. What is the meaning of the word 'Treacherous'?
a. Simple
b. Shy
c. Wet
d. Dangerous
46. Why does Vera say Nuttel fled their home?
a. He couldn't stand country life
b. He was afraid of the spaniel
c. He was insane
d. He thought he actually saw ghosts
47. What was the conflict in The Open Window?
a. Vera made up a story to scare Frampton.
b. The men came in the house with guns.
c. The men drowned in the pond and died.
d. The Aunt fell down the stairs.
48. What happened to the men when they went out hunting according to Vera?
a. They drowned in a swamp and died.
b. The killed two animals.
c. They got lost and could not find their way home.
d. They just went hunting.
49. Who stayed at the rectory four years ago
a. Framton Nuttel's sister
b. Framton Nuttel
c. Vera
d. Mrs. Sappleton
50. What was the filling of Mrs. Framton when the aunt tells the story about her husband and her brother?
a. It pleaded him
b. It worsen his nerves
c. He felt angry
d. He felt humorous
51. Who was the young lady of fifteen?
a. Mrs Sappleton
b. Niece of Mrs Sappleton
c. Sister of lår Nuttel
d. None of these
52. What is the meaning of the word "Self possessed"?
a) Selfish
b. Arrogant
c. Confident
d. Poor
53. Who said, 'Do you know many of the people round here?'
a. Mrs. Sappleton
b. Niece
c. Mr. Nuttel
d. None of them
54. Framton was horrified by what Mrs. Sappleton said because
a. she was telling a horrible story
b. of the impact on his mind of Vera's lie
c. he thought that she was a ghost
d. he had a sudden pain
55. There had been 'sufficient silent communion' between Framton and
a. Sappleton
b. Mrs. Sappleton
c. Ronnie
d. Vera
56. What is the meaning of the word 'Bog'?
a. Hard
b. Wet
c. Shaky
d. Dangerous
57. What did the doctors order him to do?
a. Complete rest
b. Absence of mental excitement
c. Avoid anything in nature of Violent physical exercise
d. All of these
58. What means does Nuttel use to escape his life in ''The Open Window?''
a. vacation
b. alcohol
c. daydreaming
d. lying
59. How does Mrs. Sappleton's niece escape stress in her life in ''The Open Window?''
a. meditation
b. telling lies
c. exercise
d. journaling
60. How does Mrs. Sappleton's niece gain the upper hand with the adults in the story ''The Open Window?''
a. The niece runs away from home.
b. The niece uses secrets to blackmail the adults
c. The niece manipulates the adults through fabrications.
d. The niece charms the adults into doing whatever she asks of them.
61. Nuttel uses letters of introduction to
a. calm his nerves
b. meet new people
c. flatter young Vera
d. find hunting partners
62. What does Vera say is Mrs. Sappleton's "great tragedy"?
a. Her husband and brothers died while hunting.
b. Her spaniel was lost while running in a bog.
c. She waits for a husband who has left her.
d. She has gone insane from grief.
63. Nuttel wants to change the topic of conversation because he
a. wants Vera to tell another story
b. feels uncomfortable and nervous
c. is worried about his health
d. fears he is boring Mrs. Sappleton
64. Why does Nuttel call the day he picked to visit an "unfortunate accident"?
a. The men and the dog are to return that day.
b. His nervous condition is worse than usual.
c. Mrs. Sappleton is late in greeting him.
d. It is the third anniversary of the tragedy.
65. Mrs. Sappleton almost yawns while Nuttel is talking because she is
a. bored
b. afraid
c. tired
d. insane
66. Mrs. Sappleton becomes excited because she
a. wants to drink tea with her family
b. hears an interesting story from Vera
c. sees her husband and brothers coming
d. is concerned about Nuttel's health
67. As Nuttel quickly leaves, he
a. runs into three ghosts on the lawn
b. forgets to take his belongings with him
c. almost collides with a person on a bicycle
d. is chased by a pack of wild dogs
ANSWERS of The Open Window MCQ :
- d. H. H. Munro
- c. Fifteen
- a. Vera
- d. All these
- c. Horror and suspense
- c. For nerve cure
- d. Letters of Introduction to people
- b. Four
- d. “Hardly a soul”
- a. Masculine
- c. Three years ago
- c. Mr. Nuttel's sister
- d. Sister of Mr. Nuttel
- a. October
- d. All of the Above
- b. Self-possessed
- b. Family mishap
- b. Ronnie
- d. Dusk
- b. Presence of mental excitement in Framton’s life
- b. It worsen his nerves
- c. White water proof coat
- c. She gives a very little attention
- b. Her husband and three brothers
- d. Tea
- a. muddy up to the eyes
- d. Sympathetic
- c. Shooting
- d. The missing people returning
- a. They drowned in a bog
- b. Guns
- a. White coat
- a. Mr Sappleton
- d. All of the Above
- c. Cyclist
- d. Dog
- a. Ganges
- b. Dogs
- a. Romance
- b. A family friend
- c. Tried
- c. Because the poor aunt always think her husband and her brother will come through that window
- a. Shaky
- c. A brown spaniel
- d. Dangerous
- d. He thought he actually saw ghosts
- a. Vera made up a story to scare Frampton.
- a. They drowned in a swamp and died.
- a. Framton Nuttel's sister
- b. It worsen his nerves
- b. Niece of Mrs Sappleton
- c. Confident
- b. Niece
- b. of the impact on his mind of Vera's lie
- d. Vera
- b. Wet
- d. All of these
- a. vacation
- b. telling lies
- c. The niece manipulates the adults through fabrications.
- b. meet new people
- a. Her husband and brothers died while hunting.
- b. feels uncomfortable and nervous
- d. It is the third anniversary of the tragedy.
- a. bored
- c. sees her husband and brothers coming
- c. almost collides with a person on a bicycle
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