LITERATURE 11. Analyze how the author creates empathy for the narrator of "The Office."Use information from the passage to support your analysis. __

In "The Office" by Saki (H.H. Munro), empathy for the narrator, Mr. Nuttel, is cultivated through several key techniques:<br /><br />* **Highlighting his vulnerability and social awkwardness:** Nuttel is presented as a nervous individual seeking rest in the countryside to alleviate his nerve ailment. He's easily flustered and struggles with social interactions, as evidenced by his stilted conversation with Vera, his host's niece. This awkwardness makes him relatable and elicits sympathy from the reader, who understands the discomfort of being in unfamiliar social situations. For example, his forced pleasantries and his inability to steer the conversation demonstrate his social ineptitude.<br /><br />* **Framing him as a victim of Vera's manipulative storytelling:** Vera, a mischievous teenager, expertly weaves a fabricated tale of tragedy involving her aunt's husband and brothers being lost in the bog. Nuttel, being unfamiliar with the family and their history, readily accepts her story as truth. This positions him as a victim of Vera's cruel prank, further generating empathy as the reader recognizes his naivete and susceptibility to her deception.<br /><br />* **Building suspense and mirroring Nuttel's growing anxiety:** Saki skillfully builds suspense as Vera's story unfolds, mirroring Nuttel's increasing anxiety. The open window, the mention of the men's expected return, and Vera's dramatic performance all contribute to a sense of impending doom. As Nuttel's fear escalates, so does the reader's empathy for him. He becomes a sympathetic figure caught in a web of fabricated horror.<br /><br />* **Contrasting his internal fear with the mundane reality:** The climax of the story, where the men return unexpectedly, highlights the stark contrast between Nuttel's terrified perception and the actual, mundane reality. This disparity underscores the extent of Vera's manipulation and the depth of Nuttel's delusion, further solidifying the reader's empathy for his plight. His abrupt and panicked flight reinforces his fragile mental state and the profound impact of Vera's fabricated story.<br /><br />Through these techniques, Saki effectively creates empathy for Mr. Nuttel. The reader is invited to see him not as a foolish character, but as a vulnerable individual preyed upon by a manipulative storyteller, highlighting the potential for even seemingly harmless deception to have significant consequences.<br />