Max Beerbohm and Saki both use the story-within-a-story literary device similarly in their works “AV Laider” and “The Open Window” respectively, but they manage to create two very different atmospheres despite their numerous similarities. Unlike a literary plot device where an author uses a story to set the scene but puts the proverbial substance of the story into the tales told by the characters in the main story. To further clarify rather than following the format of Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales", the Beerbohm and Saki tales provide a story told by one of the main characters to complement the tale and influence the reader's opinions regarding the character being told and, in a certain measure, listening to the character. a, the story. Saki uses the literary method of the story within the story to create a short and quick story, all starting with Framton Nuttel who, in the midst of a nervous treatment, encounters the proverbial spider of the story. The spider in this story, the niece of the woman Mr. Nuttel is visiting, is quick to exploit Mr. Nuttel's lack of knowledge about the people in the area by using her aunt, Mrs. Sappleton, to build a small web and trap Mr. . Nuttel before the reader learns the true situation. Vera, Mrs. Sappleton's niece, is quick to note after Mr. Nuttel hastily leaves that: "Romance on short notice was his specialty." (Saki). At that point any initial opinion was thrown away to be replaced by knowledge of Vera's cunning ways and allowing the story to become one of humor rather than sadness. In "AV Laider" the story within the story is given to our discovery of what appears to be a shared belief in palmistry. Using this expedient the author managed to have Laider weave a story of misfortune and weakness of will. Thr......middle of paper......ohm) Therefore both stories leave behind a parting warning, check the validity of the information imparted. In addition to using the story within the story literary device Saki and Beerbohm both make intelligent use of irony. Beerbohm uses situational irony through Laider who, despite his declared sorrow at his deception and the knowledge that he is weak-willed and prone to telling fantastic stories, decides to begin telling his listener a new story. While Saki uses dramatic irony knowing that Mr. Nuttel is visiting the area while nursing his nerves only to be gripped by a fit of terror at the end. Saki also uses some situational irony through the use of the open window which typically symbolizes honesty and openness. Saki and Beerbohm's use of the "story within a story" literary device allowed for very different but equally engaging stories to be told..