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2. With your discussion group, discuss what truth about life the author is conveying through humor. Cite specific examples from the graphic organizer.
Preview
In this activity, you will read a short story and think about the author’s use of characterization.
Setting a Purpose for Reading
• As you read the short story, underline words and phrases that reveal something about Nuttel and the niece.
• Circle unknown words and phrases. Try to determine the meaning by using context clues, word parts, or a dictionary.
The Open Window
by Saki (H. H. Munro)
1 “My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel,” said a very self-possessed young lady
of fifteen; “in the meantime you must try and put up with me.”
2 Framton Nuttel endeavoured to say the correct something which should duly flatter the niece of the moment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come. Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits on a succession of total strangers would do much towards helping the nerve cure which he was supposed to be undergoing.
3 “I know how it will be,” his sister had said when he was preparing to migrate to this rural retreat; “you will bury yourself down there and not speak to a living soul, and your nerves will be worse than ever from moping. I shall just give you letters of introduction to all the people I know there. Some of them, as far as I can remember, were quite nice.”
4 Framton wondered whether Mrs. Sappleton, the lady to whom he was presenting one of the letters of introduction, came into the nice division.
5 “Do you know many of the people round here?” asked the niece, when she judged that they had had sufficient silent communion.
my Notes
aCTIVITy 4.7
continued
About the Author
Hector Hugh Munro (1870–1916), better known by the pen name Saki, was a British writer and satirist known for his masterful short stories poking fun at Edwardian society. His witty and intelligent stories are considered among the best the genre has to offer.
short story
Teacher
duly: properly or fittingly
Em
4. Craft and Structure (RL.8.4) What phrase in paragraph 3 helps you understand what “moping” means? Read paragraph 3. What
acTIVITY 4.7 continued
Unit 4 • The Challenge of Comedy 283
Text Complexity Overall: Complex
Lexile: 1070L
Qualitative: Moderate Difficulty Task: Moderate (Analyze)
4 Read the Preview and the Setting a Purpose for Reading sections with your students. Help them understand any unfamiliar terms they encounter.
5 FIRST READ: Based on the complexity of the passage and your knowledge of your students, you may choose to conduct the first reading in a variety of ways:
• independent reading • paired reading
• small group reading • choral reading
• read aloud
TO Teacher
Be sure to point out the About the Author section so students know that Saki is British and thus the text will contain British spellings of some words. Students should also come to the story with some expectation of its challenging vocabulary. If possible, use an audio recording of the text.
Leveled Differentiated Instruction
Some students may need
support to read the short story independently. Have students complete a Notes for Reading Independently graphic organizer while they are reading to help them understand the story. Students should use the organizer to summarize the text.
Help students write a brief
summary of the text using complete sentences and key words. Provide sentence frames such as Framton Nuttel is visiting ___.
Mrs. Sappleton’s niece Vera tells him ___. When Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and brothers return ___.
ScaFFOLDING The TexT-DePeNDeNT QUeSTIONS
does Nuttel’s sister say he will do once he arrives in the countryside?
3. Key Ideas and Details (RL.8.3) Why is it M 9781457304644_TCB_LA_SE_L8_U4.indd 283
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significant that Framton Nuttel is described
as undergoing a “nerve cure” in paragraph
2? Predict how this detail could be used for humorous effect. Read paragraph 2. What does Nuttle struggle to do? What type of personality does he appear to have? What does the author mean by “nerve cure”?
5. Craft and Structure (RL.8.4) What is the meaning of the word “habitation” in paragraph 9? What clues in the text leading up to and including paragraph 9 support your response? Based on paragraph 1, where do you think Nuttle and the niece are while they are conversing? Are you familiar with the word “habitat”? What do you think it means? What specifically in paragraph 9 suggests “masculine habitation”?
Unit 4 • The Challenge of Comedy 283
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.