Class-8, English (An Alien Hand), Chapter -7 (The Open Window), Summary, Word Meanings, NCERT Solutions & Frequently Asked Questions

English

(It So Happened)

Class -8, Chapter -7

(The Open Window)

Summary, Word Meanings, NCERT Solutions & Frequently Asked Questions  

-- Summary -- 

⭐ Summary In English:-

• Framton Nuttel’s Nervousness:-

Framton Nuttel was suffering from nervousness. He goes to a calm and quiet place in the countryside for treatment. There he calls on a family friend. There he met a fifteen-year old girl named, Vera. She was very calm and confident. She told Nuttel that her aunt, Mrs. Sappleton, would come downstairs soon.

• His Sister’s Observation:-

Nuttel’s sister had told him that he would meet very few people in the countryside. He would feel very unhappy there and his condition would become worse than before. So she would give him letters of introduction to all the people she knew there. Some of them were quite nice.

• Vera’s Questions:-

The young girl, Vera, asked Nuttel if he knew many people there. He told her that he did not know anybody. In fact, his sister had visited the place about four years ago. She had given him letters of introduction to some of the people. On being asked, he told Vera that he knew only her aunt’s name and address.

• The Tragedy:-

Vera, told Nuttel that a tragedy had happened in the family about three years ago. She pointed to a large glass window. It opened on to a lawn. It was kept wide open even on an October afternoon. Nuttel asked the girl if that tragedy had something to do with the window. The girl told him that it concerned her aunt’s husband and two brothers. They had gone out for shooting. This happened exactly on this day three years ago. They went out through that window. But they never came back. It was because they were swallowed up by the wet spongy ground. Their bodies were never recovered.

• Mrs. Sappleton’s Reaction:-

The girl’s aunt, Mrs. Sappleton, always thought that they would come back some day. They would come through that window along with their dog as they used to do. That was why the window was kept open every evening till it was dark. The aunt often told the girl how they went out. Sometimes Vera, too, had a feeling that they would walk through that window.

• Mrs. Sappleton’s Arrival:-

Meanwhile, Mrs. Sappleton entered the room and apologised for coming late. She hoped that the open window did not bother Mr. Nuttel. She told him that her husband and brothers would come home straight from shooting. They would enter the house through the open window. They had gone to shoot birds in the marsh. So they would spoil the carpet as their shoes would be muddy.

• Nuttel’s Reaction:- 

Mrs. Sappleton went on talking about the shooting and the shortage of birds. To Framton Nuttel, it was completely horrible. He tried to turn the talk to a less horrible topic. But he was not fully successful. He knew that Mrs. Sappleton was giving him only a part of her attention. Her eyes were directed to the window and the lawn.

• Doctor’s Advice to Nuttel:-

The doctor had advised Nuttel to take complete rest. He should avoid mental excitement. He should also not do any exercise needing great physical strength. Framton Nuttel wrongly thought that strangers were interested in his illnesses and weaknesses.

• Nuttel’s Reaction:-

Mrs. Sappleton was not much interested in what Nuttel was saying. Suddenly she looked towards the window. Mrs. Sappleton said with a cry that they had come at last. They were in time for tea. They looked as if they were covered with mud. Framton Nuttel trembled with fear. He turned towards the girl to express sympathy. But the girl was looking through the window. There was horror in her eyes. Framton had also a feeling of strange fear. He swung round in his seat and looked towards the window.

• The Three Figures:-

It was dusk now. Nuttel saw three figures walking across the lawn towards the window. They all carried guns. One of them had a white coat hung over his shoulders. A browncoloured dog followed them. They came silently near the house. One of them sang : “I say, Bertie, why do you bound ?”

• Nuttel’s Sudden Retreat:-

Framton Nuttel took his stick and coat. He walked through the hall door, along the pathway and reached the front gate. Thus he made a hasty retreat. A cyclist had to run into the hedge to avoid collision with him.

• The Figure With The Coat:-

The figure with the raincoat came in through the window. He asked who was the man who had rushed out of the house. Mrs. Sappleton told him that he was one Mr. Nuttel. He was an extraordinary man. He could talk only about his illnesses. He went away without a word of goodbye or apology. It appeared as if he had seen a ghost.

• The Girl’s Explanation:-

The girl explained that Nuttel rushed out of the house because he was afraid of the dog. He had told the girl that he was terribly afraid of dogs. Once a group of dogs chased him into a graveyard. He had to spend the night in a newly dug grave. The dogs were growling all around him.

⭐ Summary In Hindi:-

• Framton Nuttel की घबड़ाहट:-

Framton Nuttel घबड़ाहट से पीड़ित था। वह इलाज के लिए देहात में एक शान्त और खामोश स्थान पर जाता है। वहाँ वह एक पारिवारिक दोस्त से मिलने जाता है। वहाँ उसे Vera नाम की 15 वर्षीय लड़की मिली। वह बहुत शान्त और विश्वस्त थी। उसने Nuttel को बताया कि उसकी चाची, Mrs. Sappleton, जल्दी ही नीचे आ जाएगी।

• उसकी बहन का अवलोकन:-

Nuttel की बहन ने उसे बता दिया था कि उसको देहात में बहुत कम लोग मिलेंगे। वह वहाँ दु:खी हो जाएगा और उसकी हालत पहले से भी खराब हो जाएगी। इसलिए वह उसको उन सभी लोगों के नाम परिचय पत्र दे देगी जिनको वहाँ वह जानती थी। कुछ तो उनमें काफी अच्छे थे।

• Vera के सवाल:-

किशोरी Vera, ने Nuttel से पूछा क्या वह वहाँ काफी लोगों को जानता है। उसने उसे बताया कि वह किसी को नहीं जानता है। दरअसल उसकी बहन लगभग चार साल पहले यहाँ आई थी। उसने कुछ लोगों के नाम उसे परिचय पत्र दिया था। पूछने पर उसने Vera को बताया कि वह केवल उसकी चाची का नाम और पती जानता था।

• दुर्घटना:- 

Vera, ने Nuttel को बताया कि लगभग तीन साल पहले उनके घर में एक दुर्घटना हुई थी। उसने एक बड़ी शीशे की खिड़की की तरफ इशारा किया। यह एक लॉन की तरफ खुलती थी। यह अक्टूबर की दोपहर बाद भी खुली रखी जाती थी। Nuttel ने लड़की से पूछा कि क्या दुर्घटना से उस खिड़की का कोई सम्बन्ध था। लड़की ने बताया कि इसका संबंध उसकी चाची के पति और दो भाइयों से था। वे शिकार करने गए थे। यह ठीक इसी दिन तीन साल पहले हुआ था। वे उस खिड़की से बाहर गए थे। परन्तु वे कभी वापस नहीं आए। कारण यह था कि उनको दलदल निगल गई। उनके शरीर कभी नहीं मिले।

• Mrs. Sappleton की प्रतिक्रिया:-

लड़की की चाची, Mrs. Sappleton हमेशा यह सोचती थी कि वे किसी दिन वापस आएँगे। वे अपने कुत्ते के साथ उसी तरह उसी खिड़की से आएँगे जिस तरह वे आया करते थे। इसीलिए खिड़की को अन्धेरा होने तक हर शाम खुला रखा जाता था। चाची प्रायः लड़की को बताती थी कि वे किस प्रकार बाहर गए। कभी-कभी Vera, को भी यह लगता था कि वे उसी खिड़की से अन्दर आएँगे।

• Mrs. Sappleton का आना:-

इतने में Mrs. Sappleton ने कमरे में प्रवेश किया और देर से आने के लिए माफी माँगी। उसने उम्मीद की कि खुली खिड़की से Mr. Nuttel को कोई परेशानी नहीं हुई होगी। उसने बताया कि उसके पति और भाई शिकार से सीधे घर आएँगे। वे घर में उस खुली खिड़की से प्रवेश करेंगे। वह दलदल में पक्षियों का शिकार करने गए थे। इसलिए वे गलीचे को खराब कर देंगे क्योंकि उनके जूतों पर कीचड़ लगा हुआ होगा।

• Nuttel की प्रतिक्रिया:-

Mrs. Sappleton शिकार करने और पक्षियों की कमी के बारे में बात करती रही। Framton Nuttel के लिए यह एक पूर्णतः भयानक बात थी। उसने एक कम भयानक विषय की तरफ बात मोड़नी चाही। परन्तु वह पूर्ण रूप से सफल नहीं हुआ। वह जानता था कि Mrs. Sappleton उसकी तरफ कुछ ही ध्यान दे रही थी। उसकी आँखें खिड़की और लॉन पर केंद्रित थीं।

• Nuttel को डाक्टर की सलाह:-

डाक्टर ने Nuttel को पूर्ण आराम करने की सलाह दी थी। उसको मानसिक उत्तेजना से बचना चाहिए। उसको कोई ऐसा काम नहीं करना चाहिए जिसमें काफी शारीरिक ताकत की जरूरत है। Framton Nuttel का गलत ख्याल था कि अजनबी लोगों की दिलचस्पी उसकी बीमारियों और कमजोरियों में थीं।

• Nuttel की प्रतिक्रिया:-

Mrs. Sappleton की उसमें कोई खास दिलचस्पी नहीं थी जो Nuttel कह रहा था। अचानक उसने खिड़की की तरफ देखा। Mrs. Sappleton ने चीखकर कहा कि आखिरकार वे आ गए। वे ठीक चाय के समय पहुँच गए। वे ऐसा लगते थे कि जैसे कीचड़ से ढके (सने) हुए हों। Framton Nuttel डर से काँपने लगा। वह अपनी सहानुभूति देने के लिए लड़की की तरफ मुड़ा। परन्तु लड़की खिड़की के अन्दर से बाहर देख रही थी। उसकी आँखों में डर था। Framton को भी अजीब सा डर लगा। वह अपनी सीट पर घूमा और उसने खिड़की की तरफ देखा।

• तीन आकृतियाँ:-

अब अन्धेरा हो चुका था। Nuttel ने तीन आकृतियों को लॉन में से होते हुए खिड़की की तरफ आते देखा। उन सभी के पास बन्दूकें थीं। एक के कन्धे पर एक सफेद कोट हँगा हुआ था। भूरे रंग का एक कुत्ता उनके पीछे-पीछे आ रहा था। वे चुपचाप घर के पास आए। उनमें से एक ने गुनगुनाया “I say, Bertie, why do you bound ?”

• Nuttel की अचानक वापसी:-

Framton Nuttel ने अपनी छड़ी और कोट लिए। वह हॉल के दरवाजे से, वाहन मार्ग पर होता हुआ सामने के फाटक पर पहुँच गया। इस प्रकार से वह जल्दी से वापस चला गया। एक साइकिल वाला उससे टक्कर बचाने के लिए बाड़ में जा घुसा।

• कोट वाली आकृति:-

रेन कोट वाली आकृति खिड़की के अन्दर से आई। उसने पूछा वह कौन आदमी था जो तेजी से घर से बाहर गया था। Mrs. Sappleton ने बताया कि वह कोई श्रीमान Nuttel थे। वह अजीब आदमी था। वह केवल अपनी बीमारियों के बारे में बात कर सकता था। वह बगैर विदा का एक शब्द कहे या माफी माँगे चला गया। ऐसा लगता था जैसे उसने प्रेत देख लिया हो।

• लड़की की व्याख्या:-

लड़की ने बताया कि Nuttel इसलिए घर से बाहर तेजी से चला गया क्योंकि वह कुत्ते से डरता था। उसने लड़की को बताया था कि वह कुत्तों से बहुत डरता था। एक बार कुत्ते पीछा करते-करते उसे कब्रिस्तान तक ले गए। उसे रात एक नई खोदी हुई कब्र में बितानी पड़ी। कुत्ते उसके चारों तरफ गुर्रा रहे थे।

-- Word Meanings --

• Endeavour :- प्रयास करना 

• Undefinable :- अवर्णनीय 

• Engulf :- निगलना 

• Flatter :- खुश करना 

• Treacherous :- भयानक 

• Bustle :- शोर करते हुए अंदर आना 

• Snipe :- प्रहार करना

• Rattle :- जल्दी जल्दी कहना 

• Fragments :- टुकड़े टुकड़े

• Coincidence :- संयोग 

• Tolerably :- ठीक ठाक

• Widespread :- व्यापक

• Delusion :- छल / कपट

• Infirmity :- बीमारी, कमजोरी

• Twilight :- हल्की रोशनी 

• Lawn :- मैदान

• Additionally :- इसके अलावा

• Burden :- भार 

• Grab :- झपट लेना 

• Imminent :- आसन्न

• Nerve :- नसें 

-- NCERT Solutions --

Comprehension Check (Page 57)

Questions 1.- Why had Framton Nuttel come to the “rural retreat”?

Answer:- Framton Nuttel was suffering from some nervous disorder and worry. So he decided to spend a few days in some village and relax in peace.

Question 2.- Why had his sister given him letters of introduction to people living there?

Answer:- His sister knew that Framton would meet very few people in the countryside. He would feel lonely and bored. His condition could grow worse. So she gave him let­ters of introduction to all people she knew there. One was addressed to Mrs. Sappleton.

Question 3.- What had happened in the Sappleton family as narrated by the niece?

Answers:- The niece played a practical joke on Sappleton when she came to know that he was a total stranger. She said that her aunt’s husband, two brothers and a dog had gone for hunting through the window three years ago. They never returned. But the aunt was still hoping to see them back through the open window.

Comprehension Check (Page 60)

Questions 1.- What did Mrs Sappleton say about the open window?

Answer:- Mrs Sappleton said that her husband and brothers would be entering the house any time. The window was kept open till it was dark. They would enter through the open window

Question 2.- The horror on the girl’s face made Framton swing around in his seat. What did he see?

Answers:- Framton swung around to know the reason for the girl’s horror. Soon he saw three figures coming towards the window.

Comprehension Check (Page 61)

Questions 1.- Why did Framton rush out wildly?

Answer:- The niece had told Nuttel that her aunt’s husband and brothers had been missing, for three years. When Framton saw them coming, he thought they were ghosts. So he rushed out wildly in fear.

Question 2.- What was the girl’s explanation for his lightning exit?

Answers:- The girl explained that Framton had a bitter experience of the dogs. So he made a sudden exit on seeing the dog.

Exercise (Page 61)

Discuss in Small groups.

Question 1.- Is this a mystery story? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer:- The open window is not truly a mystery story. It shows the fertile imagination of a young girl. She plays a practical joke on Framton and tells a cooked up story. Poor Framton falls a prey to her prank and runs out of the house hurriedly.

Question 2.- You are familiar with the ‘irony’ of the situation in a story. (Remember the cop and the Anthem in Class VII Supplementary Reader!) Which situations in The Open Window’ are good examples of the use of irony?

Answer:- “Irony’ refers to the contrast between what is intended or expected and what actually occurs. The open window has irony of situation. Poor Framton goes to countryside for rest and relief from his nervousness. But Mrs Sappleton’s niece plays such a joke that he suddenly rushes out. He mistakes Mrs sappleton’s husband and brother as their ghosts.

Question 3.- Which phrases/sentences in the text do you find difficult to understand? Select a few and guess the meaning of each. Rewrite a simple paraphrase of each.

Answer:- Came into the nice division – The category of nice people.

Masculine habitation. – The room seemed to suggest that there lived some male persons there.

“Bertie, why do you bound? – Bound means ‘jump’. But here it means a person whose behaviour is unpleasant to other people.

-- SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS --

Question 1.- What is the significance of the window in the story’?

Answer:- The window in the story, reveals niece’s habit of playing jokes and pranks. The window is central to the story. Through it the aunt’s husband along with his two brothers-in-law had gone out hunting. Framton is frightened to see them coming towards the window. Taking them for ghosts, he rushes out of the gate.

Question 2.- What was Framton Nuttel suffering from?

Answer:- Framton Nuttel was suffering from nervous disorder and excitement. The doctor advised him complete rest and relaxation in the countryside.

Question 3.- Why does Framton retire to the countryside?

Answer:- Framton retires to the rural retreat on the doctor’s advice. He needed rest and relief from mental excitement.

Question 4.- Whom does Framton contact in the rural resort?

Answer:- Framton goes to Mrs Sappleton’s house in the countryside. He carries an introduction letter from his sister. But he first meets Mrs Sappleton’s niece, Vera.

Question 5.- What did Framton admit as well as notice in Mrs Sappleton’s room?

Answer:- Mr Framton tells Vera that he doesn’t know anybody in that village. He wondered whether the lady was married or a widow. But he did notice that some male member has been living in the room.

Question 6.- What sort of tragedy had happened in Mrs Sappleton’s life, as narrated by the niece?

Answer:- Vera told Framton about a family mishap three years ago. Mrs Sappleton’s husband, along with her two brothers had gone for shooting. They were caught in a wet marshy land. They never returned. But the aunt was still hoping that they would return home and enter through the open window.

Question 7.- What did Framton notice about host’s chief concern?

Answer:- Framton noticed that the host was turning her eyes constantly towards the open window. She was giving very little attention to his story of sickness. Her chief concern was to notice her husband’s returning home.

Question 8.- What did the aunt and her niece say about Framton’s sudden exit?

Answer:- Mrs Sappleton and her niece told different stories why Framton had run out of the house in such a hurry. The lady called him an extraordinary man who talked only about his illneses. Perhaps he had seen a ghost, so he had dashed off. But Vera said that the caller had a horror of dogs. So the sight of spaniel made him push out.

-- LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS --

Question 1.- Who was Vera? What joke did she play? What was its outcome?

Answer:- Vera was the niece of Mrs. Sappleton. She was a young girl of fifteen. She was fun loving and mischievous. She knew how to oust a stranger from the house. She played a joke on him (Framton) and made him run out. She narrated a cooked up story about her aunt’s husband, her two brothers and the open window. She told him that three years ago her aunt’s husband along with her two brothers had gone for shooting. They were caught in a wet marshy land. They never returned. But the aunt, Mrs. Sappleton, was still hoping that they would return home and enter through the open window. When Mrs. Sappleton came to Framton, she also confirmed the story of the hunting party. This story had a deep effect on Framton. He was frightened to see them coming towards the window. Taking them for ghosts, he rushed out of the gate in great hurry.

- By Durgesh Pandey