Saki's short story "The Open Window" employs the technique
of a frame story that has another within it. Added to this structure, the narrative is
written as a tall tale with irony and
connotation.
CONNOTATION
Vera's
name is misleading for Framton Nuttel since the name Vera is a
derivative of the Latin word veritas, or truth. The tall-tale that
she weaves revolves around the open window, which of itself connotes candor and
honesty. The connotation of the name and the window contribute to the effect of Vera's
tall-tale as Nuttel gullibly becomes horrified when he views Vera's frightened
appearance as she sees the
men.
IRONY
Vera's tale is
replete with verbal irony as she makes use of the open
window for her devious story as well as the Stappleton men away on a hunt to twist the
meaning of their day's adventure. After Framton Nuttel panicks and runs off, Mrs.
Stappleton herself is faced with the irony of her guest's departure. But, she remarks
superciliously in an example of situational
irony,
"A most extraordinary
man...could only talk about his illnesses, and dashed off without a word of goodbye or
apology...one would think he had seen a ghost."
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