The Open Window

Perform a character analysis of Vera. How does she represent feminism? How does she present a hurdle for women’s rights? In what ways might Edwardian gender roles impact her part in the story?

Examine the title of the story as it relates to the story itself. Explain its significance and symbolism.

Read another Saki short story featuring an aunt (consider “The Lumber-Room” or “The Storyteller”). Analyze the archetype of the aunt found in the two works, comparing and contrasting them. Research Saki to determine why he used this archetype.

Compare and contrast the female figures in the short story. Examine a history of the woman’s role in the upper-class Edwardian home. How do they fit Edwardian period gender roles? In what ways do they not fit those roles?

Analyze the setting of the story. How does storytelling impact the reader’s perception of it? Consider the theme of appearance versus reality and how it relates to tranquility and chaos.

Saki was famous for writing satires pinpointing the faults he saw in Edwardian etiquette and society. Write a historical analysis explaining common Edwardian customs and how “The Open Window” functions as an Edwardian satire.

Examine historical reactions to the genre of romance literature. Explain the common themes, plotlines, and characters of the genre, and determine whether Vera successfully creates “romance at short notice.” What would those opposed to romance literature have thought of Vera?

Consider the theme of appearances versus reality and the way reality is altered by a narrative in “The Open Window.” How do appearances, reality, and narratives affect modern-day readers? Analyze “The Open Window” from a modern perspective, considering mass media’s impact on perceived reality.