Question

Read the passage.

The Open Window
by H.H. Munro (Saki)


How does the conversation between Framton and Mrs.Stapleton affect the plot?

Framton, after waiting all day to speak with Mrs. Stapleton, is unable to speak to her. This marks the climax of the story.

Framton believes that Mrs. Stapleton's husband and family are dead, while Mrs. Stapleton speaks as though they are alive; this builds tension.

Framton learns during their conversation that Mrs. Stapleton is insane, resolving the conflict of the story.

Framton and Mrs. Stapleton's discussion reveals that they have known one another for many years, providing important background information about the characters.

Answer 1

Framton believes that Mrs. Stapleton's husband and family are dead, while Mrs. Stapleton speaks as though they are alive; this builds tension.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Open Window is a short story written by H.H. Munro (Saki) which introduces us to Framton Nuttel. He just arrived in a new town. Framton`s sister recommended him some of her old acquaintances, one of them was family Stapleton. His first encounter is with Vera, Mrs. Stapleton`s 15-year-old niece, who told him about a family tragedy - Ms. Stapleton and two brothers drowned in a bog three years ago. That`s why the window is always open, because Mrs. Stapleton, out of desperation, waits for them to come back. Mrs. Stapleton arrives, and she keeps talking about the three men that will soon get back from the hunt. Suddenly, that really happens, and Framton is terrified as he is under the impression that they are ghosts, as he believed in Vera`s story. So, he runs off.

From the given answers, the second one fully follows the story.