You might state that Saki created the three main characters to suit the needs of his plot. Then you could devote one paragraph to Vera, one to Framton Nuttel, and one to Mrs. Sappleton. Framton Nuttel is the ideal victim for Vera's practical joke because he is a neurotic and hypochondriac. The fact that he has a nervous disorder is what brings him to this strange household. He has a letter of introduction. Vera is an interesting character. She is obviously very intelligent, which explains why she is bored with the sameness of her environment. She probably resents being used as a substitute hostess, because she doesn't want to grow up to be an empty-headed woman like her aunt. She is stuck at home because she is a girl. She probably spends much of her time reading, since there is little else for her to do. She must indulge in a lot of escapist reading which gives her ideas such as men being sucked into bogs and men being chased by pariah dogs in far-off India. Mrs. Sappleton is not insane, but she has become brainwashed by hearing nothing but male talk about killing birds. She lives for the men in her life. Vera knows exactly what her aunt is going to talk to Framton about and how her attention will be focused on the open window, waiting for the men who dominate her life to return. The characters are suited to the story and to the environment. "The Open Window" is a good example of how a skillful fiction writer like Saki will fashion his characters to fit the needs of his plot. This is a little bit like deconstruction.
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