Literary Analysis Essay - The Open Window, by Saki (H.H. Munro)

This is one of the activities I made during my high school, using the "Glencoe's Literature" pedagogic book. I will share mine as an incentive for you to write one literary analysis yourself.

Directions: Think about the setting for "The Open Window". Could this story have taken place at any other time or in any other place? Write a brief essay in which you analyze Saki's choice of setting and explain how the setting impacts the main events in the plot. 

Introduction: Describe the setting. Tell where the action takes place, the time of day, and the characters' social status. 

Body paragraph(s): Explain how different elements of the setting affect the development of the plot. 

Conclusion: Briefly summarize your analysis of the setting and its impact on the plot. 

Mr. Nuttel went to a rural retreat, which is where the story takes place, at a remote times. He has letters of introduction sent to the inhabitants in the surroundings of his new settlement, delivered by his worried family. This leads us to believe in a certain formality and importance, both from himself and the people he is visiting: the Sappleton family. The visit occurs in the afternoon, and the climax is set when the sun begins to fall, helping to give the scene a more mystical aspect and helping to validate Mr. Nuttel's reaction. 

These elements increased the coherence of the story by taking into account a true setting and relatable information, building a picture that is easy for readers to imagine. The young girl, whom Mr. Nuttel talked to, was very confident and "self-possessed", as described in the narratives, which happens to be an important detail for the plot to be convincing. The period and place, a remote time in a remote area, are elements that create a great impact on the narrative, because they imply a setting in which the gossip and information were harder to spread. For instance, the Sappletons' stories or the existence of ghosts, things said by the young girl to Mr. Nuttel, acquire a much higher weight when measured in this context.

Some additional elements that helped in the development of the plot were Framton Nuttel's mental condition, which, although not explained, the hint is hinted at by the doctor's recommendation for an absence of mental excitement. This could be an indicator of Framton's possible mental fragility. Also, the dusk outside might have helped to create a scene, gloomy enough, to influence Nuttel's imagination and make him believe in ghosts. 

Saki made use of many elements that led to a well-developed climax, creating a sequence of events which helped to build a believable picture, consequently making the reading experience much more immersive. Nuttel's mental condition, the ability of the young girl in telling stories, the men coming to the house exactly as the girl described, at dusk, and many more carefully thought-out details created a realistic and captivating narrative.