protagonist
What role does Vera play in the story?
The self-possessed, clever fifteen-year old niece who lives with her aunt and uncle
Brief description of Vera.
Round: clever, smart, dramatic, self-possessed, convincing, troublesome
Is Vera a round or flat character, and why?
Static: remains a clever person who likes to play tricks on people
Is Vera a dynamic or static character, and why?
antagonist
What role does Framton Nuttel play in the story?
A man with a nervous condition sent to stay with Mrs. Sappleton (whom he has never met) because the city makes him too nervous
Brief description of Framton Nuttel.
Flat—nervous, dull, gullible
Is Framton Nuttel a round or flat character, and why?
Static: stays gullible
Is Framton Nuttel a dynamic or static character, and why?
minor character
What role does Mrs. Sappleton play in the story?
Vera's aunt who is expecting Mr. Nuttel and comes down late
Brief description of Mrs. Sappleton.
Flat—cheerful aunt character
Is Mrs. Sappleton a round or flat character, and why?
Static: does not change, and does not know what Vera did to Mr.
Nuttel
Is Mrs. Sappleton a dynamic or static character, and why?
October in the early 1900s: significant because it is the month of Halloween and the time period shows why there is a letter of introduction.
What is the time setting of the story?
Mrs. Sappleton's house (English countryhouse): not very significant except for French windows; peaceful in contrast with Mr. Nuttel's experience (irony).
What is the location setting of the story?
The French windows: part of reality that makes Vera's story believable
What is the specific place central to the story?
third person, limited omniscient (it is important that the reader does not know what Vera is thinking; only knows the thoughts of Mr. Nuttel).
What is the point of view in the story?
Mr. Nuttel feels awkward when hearing Vera's "tragedy": external conflict -- battle of wits: Vera's cleverness versus Mr. Nuttel's closed-mindedness (gullibility); man versus man -- Mr.
Nuttel versus Vera
What is the main conflict in the story? Is the conflict internal or external, and why?
Mr. Nuttel is dealing with a nervous condition: internal conflict -- man versus himself
What is a minor conflict in the story? Is the conflict internal or external, and why?
Mr. Nuttel comes to town with a nervous condition and no knowledge of anything in the town.
What is the exposition in the story?
Mr. Nuttel informs Vera that he knows nothing about anyone in town.
What is the inciting incident in the story?
Mr. Nuttel believes Vera. Mrs. Sappleton comes downstairs and talks about her husband and younger brothers returning from hunting.
Mr. Nuttel feels sympathy for her. Mr. Sappleton and the younger brothers return from the hunting through the French windows and fairly muddy.
What is the development in the story?
The figures of the men walk toward the house.
What is the climax in the story?
Mr. Nuttel runs away in fright at the sight of the muddy figures.
What is the resolution in the story?
Mrs. Sappleton comments that Mr. Nuttel is strange.
Vera lies in saying that Mr. Nuttel ran away because he had a bad experience with dogs.
What is the denouement in the story?
verbal irony: Vera's name means truth, but she is not truthful; situational irony: Mrs. Sappleton's husband and brothers return home alive when they are expected to be dead or return as ghosts; dramatic irony: Vera lies about Mr.
Nuttel leaving because he was afraid of dogs, but the reader knows that is not the true nor the reason why he left.
How are different types of irony used in the story?
the open French windows: an open mind that the readers and Mr. Nuttel should have
What are the symbols used in the story?
Mr. Nuttel remembers what his sister said when she gave him the letters of introduction and what his doctor said (helps set exposition).
What is the flashback in the story?
eerie, spooky, creepy, anxious, nervous mood until the resolution. When Vera's tale is revealed to be a joke, the mood becomes light-hearted and humorous.
What is the mood of the story?
playful, humorous, light-hearted
What is the tone of the story?
Closed-mindedness can lead to gullibility or vulnerability.
What is the theme of the story?
