The reader discovers that Nicholas has put a live frog in his food in the knowledge that he will be debarred from going to the beach with the other children; he knows his aunt well enough to predict her response to his “disgraceful conduct at the breakfast table.” Impertinent and mischiefous he may be but Nicholas is an intelligent boy and a “skilled tactician.” He out wits his aunt on three occasions in his speech during the story:
“He told you twice, but you weren’t listening. You often don’t listen when we tell you important things.”
This was the second occasion, to which his aunt could not reply but had to change the subject.
“ You are not to go into the gooseberry garden.”
Yet again Nicholas is deprived of his freedom.
It is clear from very early on in this story that Nicholas is an intelligent and perceptive boy who has a very singular sense of humour. That he can predict his aunt’s response to his behaviour is an early indication. His judgement of the Jedbourgh expedition being a disaster because of Bobby’s boots being too tight is the second example of his sharp wits. His employment of the belief by his aunt that he is desperate to go into the gooseberry garden gives him clear access to where he really wants to go - the lumber-room. He knew:
“She could keep a watchful eye on the two doors that led to the forbidden paradise.”
He even pretended to be planning to get into the gooseberry garden. He knew when it was time to execute “a plan that had long germinated in his brain.”
Nicholas is meticulous in all that he plans. His attention to detail is evident in his bread and milk incident and even more so in his “intrusion” of the lumber-room:
“ He did not believe in trusting too much to luck and accident.
He had practised with the keys and key holes with readiness.”
Once inside the lumber-room his delight is paramount. His attention to detail is apparent again when leaving the lumber room, he restores the book carefully in place shaking dust over it to disguise his presence, locking the door and replacing the key: “Exactly where he had found it.”
Nicholas has a most vivid and amusing imagination. His interpretation of the tapestry while he is in the lumber-room observing it shows a delight and humour that needs no audience, his thoughts at dinner that evening concern a concluding explanation of the tapestry story rather than a concern for his behaviour towards his aunt:
“The huntsmen would escape with his hounds while wolves feasted on the stricken stag.”
This is another example of his lively imagination.
It is clear that not only can Nicholas outwit his aunt but can turn the most unexpected situation to his advantage. When he discovers that his aunt is caught in the rain water tank he reminds her that she has lied about the strawberry jam and calls her “The Evil One and not my aunt,” before walking noisily away. By doing this Nicholas can get the better of his aunt without getting himself into even more trouble.
“The Lumber Room” by Saki is a short story which really gives an insight into the fascinating character of a very unusual boy who has the capacity to entertain himself despite the deprivation imposed by the adults in his life. I found Nicholas to be an intriguing character and felt satisfied that he had outwitted his unpleasant aunt but also that he had been able to create some joy for himself during his day. I enjoyed, as he did, his being able to refer to his aunt as the Evil One.
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