Name _________________________________ Date ______________

The Landlady
by Roald Dahl

A. Anticipation/Reaction Guide
Directions: Read each statement below BEFORE listening to the radio play of “The Landlady”. Decide
whether each statement is positive or negative. Place a “P” or an “N” in the appropriate box to indicate your
choice. Be prepared to share your thoughts.

Before Statement from Text After

Listening Listening
P/N P/N

P There was a vase of yellow chrysanthemums, standing just underneath the

notice that looked wonderful beside the green velvety curtains.

Animals are usually a good sign in this sort of place.

Each word was like a large black eye staring at me through the glass,
holding me, compelling me…

I’m afraid we have the house all to ourselves. It isn’t very often I have the
pleasure of taking a visitor into my little nest.

Now dear, come over here, sit down beside me on the sofa and I’ll give you
a nice cup of tea and a ginger biscuit before you go to bed.

Left? But my dear boy, he never left. He’s still here. Mr. Temple is also
here. They’re on the fourth floor, both of them together.

There wasn’t a blemish on his body.

AFTER listening to “The Landlady”, revisit each statement. Has your impression of any statement changed
now that you are familiar with the story? Place a “P” or an “N” in the appropriate box to indicate your choice.
Be prepared to share your thoughts.

Niemel, 2016, CHMS 1

B. Words to Know

Word Example Sentences Predicted definition

...and made my way briskly down the street. For I think this word means:
briskness was the one common characteristic of all
brisk successful businessmen, like those big shots up at quickly, energetically
the Head Office. They were always so amazingly
brisk.
My sentence:

There’s nothing like a brisk walk in the morning to get my blood flowing and my
spirit ready for the day ahead.

As I studied the once swanky facades of the I think this word means:
passing houses now cracked and blotchy from
swanky neglect, all of a sudden, in a downstairs window, I
caught sight of a printed notice propped up against
the glass.
My sentence:

As I studied the once swanky facades of the I think this word means:
passing houses now cracked and blotchy from
facades neglect, all of a sudden, in a downstairs window, I
caught sight of a printed notice propped up against
the glass.
My sentence:

Though, on the other hand, a pub would be more I think this word means:
congenial than a boarding-house. Perhaps then I
congenial shall walk on and take a look before making up my
mind...

My sentence:

Niemel, 2016, CHMS 2

 Word Example Sentences Predicted definition

I think this word means:

I should've thought you’d be simply swamped
swamped with applicants.

My sentence:

I think this word means:

But I think he was a trifle shorter than you are, in
trifle fact I’m sure he was, and his teeth weren’t quite so
white.

My sentence:

I think this word means:

There wasn’t a blemish on his body… His skin
blemish was just like a baby’s.

My sentence:

Niemel, 2016, CHMS 3

C. After Reading- Check For Understanding
Discussion: Answer these questions as part of our in-class discussion

1. What was Billy Weaver doing in the City of Bath? Why does he walk “briskly” down the street?

2. He was directed to the 'Bell and Dragon' pub for accommodation. Why didn't he stay there?

3. What was strange about the landlady when he rang on the door bell?

4. Describe Billy's first impressions:

a. of the house
b. of the landlady

5. Why did the landlady ask him to go to the sitting-room after he'd unpacked his bag?

6. What did Billy find disturbing about the guest book?

7. What was strange about the animals in the sitting-room?

8. What do you think happened to the other guests whose names Billy had seen?

9. What do you think happened to Billy?

At what point in the story were you (the reader) fairly certain that Billy was in danger? Explain what words,
phrases, or images the writer used to give you this feeling.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Niemel, 2016, CHMS 4

D. Evidence Chart - Foreshadowing
● foreshadowing is a literary technique
● used to give the reader “clues” about what is going to happen later on in a story
● vital technique for authors of crime, suspense, or horror stories

The chart below lists foreshadowing clues that Roald Dahl has included in his short story, “The Landlady.”
Read the clues and complete the chart by explaining what each clue suggests about the plot of the story.

Page # Evidence (specific examples from text) Elaboration (This foreshadows...or this
clue suggests...)

This clue foreshadows that Billy will

But the air was deadly cold and the wind was
1 face danger soon - i.e., “deadly cold”
like a flat blade of ice on my cheeks.
and “blade” indicate that there will be
trouble!

BED AND BREAKFAST, it said... BED AND

BREAKFAST… BED AND BREAKFAST… Each
1 word was like a large black eye staring at me
through the glass, holding me, compelling
me…

It isn’t very often I have the pleasure of taking

2 a visitor into my little nest.

Everyone has to do that because it’s the law of

3 the land, and we don’t want to go breaking any
laws at this stage in the proceedings, do we?

6 I stuff all my little pets myself when they pass

away.

The tea tasted faintly of bitter almonds, and I

6 didn’t much care for it.

Niemel, 2016, CHMS 5

E. Short Answer Response
Answer the following question by stating a claim and supporting that claim with at least two details from the
story. Follow the guidelines for short answer responses using the RACES strategy.

The short story, “The Landlady”by Roald Dahl is full of examples of foreshadowing. How does Dahl’s use of
foreshadowing contribute to the story’s plot? Use at least two details from the story to support your response.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Niemel, 2016, CHMS 6