What are some of the psychological themes of "The Open Window" by Munro (Saki) compared with A Room With A View by Forster.

If I were you, I would want to answer this question by
thinking about the way that characters in both of these great texts deliberately use and
master the societal norms of Edwardian England for their own purposes to manipulate
others. Clearly, in "The Open Window," it is Vera who perfectly masters the way she is
expected to act and speak in society to devastating effect, weaving compelling tales
that completely ensnare the poor, susceptible Framton Nuttel. Vera is shown to be an
expert of social norms, speaking only "when she judged that they had had sufficient
silent communion" and entertaining the gues while her aunt prepares herself. In
addition, she is quick to sound out this strange guest, identifying his lack of
knowledge about the family before having her fun and telling her
tale.

In A Room With a View, it
appears that how a young lady of social standing is expected to behave is a force that
others use to try and manipulate Lucy Honeychurch. Psychologically, she is under great
pressure from a variety of people, most notably at the beginning of the story by Miss
Bartlett, to conform and learn the ways and manners that will ensure that she "fits in."
Note the way that she has given up swimming in the Sacred Lake and always tries to say
and do the "right" thing. It is only at the end of the novel that she is able to break
free from such pressures and influences and follow her heart's desire rather than her
intellectual and rational thoughts by rejecting Cecil Vyse, the epitome of social
manners, and marrying George Emerson instead.