The Open Window – Flashcards
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What role does Vera play in the story?
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protagonist
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Brief description of Vera.
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The self-possessed, clever fifteen-year old niece who lives with her aunt and uncle
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Is Vera a round or flat character, and why?
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Round: clever, smart, dramatic, self-possessed, convincing, troublesome
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Is Vera a dynamic or static character, and why?
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Static: remains a clever person who likes to play tricks on people
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What role does Framton Nuttel play in the story?
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antagonist
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Brief description of Framton Nuttel.
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A man with a nervous condition sent to stay with Mrs. Sappleton (whom he has never met) because the city makes him too nervous
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Is Framton Nuttel a round or flat character, and why?
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Flat—nervous, dull, gullible
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Is Framton Nuttel a dynamic or static character, and why?
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Static: stays gullible
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What role does Mrs. Sappleton play in the story?
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minor character
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Brief description of Mrs. Sappleton.
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Vera's aunt who is expecting Mr. Nuttel and comes down late
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Is Mrs. Sappleton a round or flat character, and why?
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Flat—cheerful aunt character
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Is Mrs. Sappleton a dynamic or static character, and why?
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Static: does not change, and does not know what Vera did to Mr. Nuttel
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What is the time setting of the story?
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October in the early 1900s: significant because it is the month of Halloween and the time period shows why there is a letter of introduction.
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What is the location setting of the story?
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Mrs. Sappleton's house (English countryhouse): not very significant except for French windows; peaceful in contrast with Mr. Nuttel's experience (irony).
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What is the specific place central to the story?
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The French windows: part of reality that makes Vera's story believable
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What is the point of view in the story?
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third person, limited omniscient (it is important that the reader does not know what Vera is thinking; only knows the thoughts of Mr. Nuttel).
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What is the main conflict in the story? Is the conflict internal or external, and why?
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Mr. Nuttel feels awkward when hearing Vera's "tragedy": external conflict -- battle of wits: Vera's cleverness versus Mr. Nuttel's closed-mindedness (gullibility); man versus man -- Mr. Nuttel versus Vera
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What is a minor conflict in the story? Is the conflict internal or external, and why?
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Mr. Nuttel is dealing with a nervous condition: internal conflict -- man versus himself
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What is the exposition in the story?
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Mr. Nuttel comes to town with a nervous condition and no knowledge of anything in the town.
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What is the inciting incident in the story?
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Mr. Nuttel informs Vera that he knows nothing about anyone in town.
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What is the development in the story?
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Mr. Nuttel believes Vera. Mrs. Sappleton comes downstairs and talks about her husband and younger brothers returning from hunting. Mr. Nuttel feels sympathy for her. Mr. Sappleton and the younger brothers return from the hunting through the French windows and fairly muddy.
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What is the climax in the story?
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The figures of the men walk toward the house.
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What is the resolution in the story?
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Mr. Nuttel runs away in fright at the sight of the muddy figures.
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What is the denouement in the story?
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Mrs. Sappleton comments that Mr. Nuttel is strange. Vera lies in saying that Mr. Nuttel ran away because he had a bad experience with dogs.
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How are different types of irony used in the story?
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verbal irony: Vera's name means truth, but she is not truthful; situational irony: Mrs. Sappleton's husband and brothers return home alive when they are expected to be dead or return as ghosts; dramatic irony: Vera lies about Mr. Nuttel leaving because he was afraid of dogs, but the reader knows that is not the true nor the reason why he left.
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What are the symbols used in the story?
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the open French windows: an open mind that the readers and Mr. Nuttel should have
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What is the flashback in the story?
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Mr. Nuttel remembers what his sister said when she gave him the letters of introduction and what his doctor said (helps set exposition).
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What is the mood of the story?
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eerie, spooky, creepy, anxious, nervous mood until the resolution. When Vera's tale is revealed to be a joke, the mood becomes light-hearted and humorous.
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What is the tone of the story?
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playful, humorous, light-hearted
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What is the theme of the story?
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Closed-mindedness can lead to gullibility or vulnerability.
