46 pages • 1 hour read
Roald DahlThe Landlady
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1959A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Introduction
“The Landlady”
- Genre: Fiction; young adult short story; thriller/horror
- Originally Published: 1959
- Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 780L; grades 9-12; college/adult
- Structure/Length: Approx. 13 pages; approx. 20 minutes on audio
- Protagonist/Central Conflict: The story follows Billy Weaver, a young businessman who rents a room from a seemingly kind and hospitable landlady in Bath, England. As the evening progresses, Billy starts to realize that the landlady’s welcoming exterior may hide a dark and unsettling secret.
- Potential Sensitivity Issues: Suspenseful and potentially frightening atmosphere; suggested violence; dark humor
Roald Dahl, Author
- Bio: Born 1916; died 1990; British novelist, short story writer, poet, and screenwriter; served as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II; renowned for his children’s books as well as adult works, often characterized by dark humor and unexpected endings; his stories continue to entertain and inspire readers of all ages
- Other Works: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964); James and the Giant Peach (1961); Matilda (1988); The Witches (1983)
- Awards: Edgar Award for Best Short Story (1960)
CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:
- The Anonymity of Modern Life
- The Fetishizing of Youth
- The Power of Convention and Social Customs
STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:
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