Penguin Readers Factsheets

Level 6 – Advanced
Teacher’s Notes

Man from the South

and Other Stories
by Roald Dahl

Man from the South and Other Stories

Summary
This is a collection of seven short stories by Roald Dahl. Although
the stories are not connected to one another they are linked in the
way that the author invites us to take a wry, fresh look at human
nature.
‘Man from the South’
An old man makes a bet that a young man’s lighter can light ten
times in a row. If it does, the young man will win a Cadillac; and if
not, the old man will chop off the young man’s little finger. In the end
the bet is stopped by the old man’s wife who, we see, is missing
most of her fingers.
‘Beware of the Dog’
A pilot in World War II (1939-45) is shot down and wakes up in
hospital. The nurse pretends he is in England, but he soon realizes
he is in France and is a prisoner of the Germans.
‘The Landlady’
A young man tries to find lodgings in a town. He goes to a deserted
guesthouse. The landlady seems kind at first, but it turns out that
she takes in young men, drugs them, then kills and stuffs them for
her collection.
‘The Vicar’s Pleasure’
An antiques dealer dresses up as a vicar and visits country houses
where he tricks people into parting with their antiques for little
money. One day he finds a very valuable chest and pretends he
only wants the legs and will use the rest for firewood. The owners
obligingly saw off the legs and chop up the chest.
‘Pig’
A young man is brought up away from the world by his aunt. He is
a vegetarian and is writing a cookbook. His aunt dies and the young
innocent man goes to New York where he eats pork and likes it.
Everyone in the city tricks him and the young man is eventually
murdered in a slaughterhouse like a pig.
‘An African Story’
A pilot writes down a story he heard before he died. An old man
lives on a small farm with his helper, Judson, whom he hates. When
Judson kills the man’s dog he decides to get revenge. A snake is
stealing the cow’s milk and the old man tricks Judson into trying to
catch it. The snake kills Judson as the old man watches happily.
‘Champion of the World’
Two poachers drug hundreds of pheasants with sleeping pills. They
hide most of them in a pram so the owner of the pheasants can’t
see them, but in the morning as the pram is being delivered to them
the pheasants wake up and fly away.
About the author
Roald Dahl was born in Wales in 1916. He was a fighter pilot in
World War II. In 1940 his plane crashed and this became the
subject of one of his first short stories, published in 1942. After this
he became a very successful writer of short stories throughout the
1950s. Dahl married the actress Patricia Neal in 1953 and in 1960
he started to write stories for his own children. Titles such as James
and the Giant Peach and The Witches became world-famous and
Dahl is recognized as one the best writers for children in the
English language. His stories for adults are also very popular – and
characterized by unexpected conclusions. Many of his books were
turned into films. Roald Dahl died in 1990.
Background and themes
There is one central theme in all these stories. One person or group
of people plays some kind of trick on another and entices them into
a trap. The victim only survives if he or she is clever – or lucky. In
Dahl’s world only the quick-witted will survive. It is a narrow vision,
but within it Dahl’s range is wide. ‘Pig’ is nightmarish in its view of
human nature. However, ‘The Vicar’s Pleasure’ is a pleasing
comedy of errors that wryly reflects the muddle of our everyday
lives.
‘An African Story’ and ‘Beware of the Dog’ are suggested by
Dahl’s own war-time experiences as a pilot. The anxieties about
death are mixed in with the excitements of flying, which provides a
sense of exhilaration rare in Dahl’s writing. Further direct
connections can be made in two other stories. ‘Pig’ is a bitter satire
on Candide by Voltaire. Dahl has no trust in Voltaire’s 18th-century
rationalism and optimism. Aunt Glosspan (an inversion of Voltaire’s
Dr Panglos) leaves her nephew unprepared for life. Like the young
man in ‘The Landlady’, innocent youth is slaughtered by corrupt
experience.
As usual, it isn’t all bad. ‘The Champion of the World’ is a
delightful tale of two poachers whose essentially harmless prank
goes wrong. This story became one of Dahl’s most warm-hearted
novels for children, Danny and the Champion of the World, in which
the poachers actually win. The novel also contains a portrayal of a
loving relationship between father and son. If possible, it would be
interesting for students to compare the two.

© Pearson Education Limited 2002

Penguin Readers Factsheets

Level 6 – Advanced
Teacher’s Notes

ACTIVITIES AFTER READING THE BOOK

Communicative activities
The following teacher-led activities cover the same sections of text
as the exercises at the back of the Reader and supplement those
exercises. For supplementary exercises covering shorter sections
of the book, see the photocopiable Student’s Activities pages of the
Factsheet. These are primarily for use with class Readers but, with
the exception of discussion and pair/groupwork questions, can also
1 Put students into small groups and ask them to write a short
plot for a new Dahl story to add to this book. They need to
think of a title, too.
2 Put students into pairs. Ask them to think about ‘Pig’ and ‘The
Champion of the World’ What did they like about these two
stories and why?
3 In class ask students to think about other short stories they

Man from the South and Other Stories

be used by students working alone in a self-access center.
have read in English or their own language. Were they like
Dahl’s short stories or not? How were they different? Tell
ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING THE BOOK
students to think about subject-matter, character and how
1 Ask your students if they have heard of Roald Dahl. Have these other stories ended.
they read any of his books or short stories? What kind of
different stories did Dahl write? Have they seen any of the
films made from his books?
Glossary
2 Divide students into pairs. Tell them to look at the photograph
on the cover and the titles of the stories on the Contents It will be useful for your students to know the following new words. They
page. They have to decide which stories the photo could are practised in the ‘Before You Read’ sections of exercises at the back
illustrate and which it could not, and say why. of the book. (Definitions are based on those in the Longman Active Study
Dictionary.)
3 Tell the class to think about short stories and how they are
different to novels. Tell them to look at the notes about Dahl’s ‘Man from the South’ and ‘Pig’ and
short stories in the Background and themes section. Would it ‘Beware of the Dog’ ‘An African Story’
be possible to write Dahl’s type of short story as a long novel, beware (v) to warn someone to be lick (v) to move the tongue across
or would he have to introduce other ideas? If so, what? careful because something is something to clean it or eat it.
dangerous slaughter (v) to kill animals for food, to
chop (v) to cut something such as food kill a human being in a cruel way
ACTIVITIES AFTER READING A SECTION into small pieces shed (n) an industrial building where
‘Man from the South’ and ‘Beware of the Dog’ cigar (n) a thing people smoke made work is done
from tobacco leaves rolled into a thick thump (n) the dull sound that is made
1 Put students into groups. They need to write a different tube when something soft and heavy hits a
ending for ‘Man from the South’. The woman does not come maid (n) a female servant surface
into the room and stop the bet. Students have to think about mask (n) something that covers your vegetarian (n) someone who does not
which man will win the bet and what will happen then. face to protect it or hide it eat meat or fish
2 Divide students into pairs. Give student A four of the extra parachute (n) a thing you wear on your will (n) a legal document that says who
back to make you fall slowly through you want to get your money and
words from these two stories, ‘chop, maid, parachute, sill’.
the air when you jump from a plane. property when you die
Student A gives definitions of these words to Student B who
sill (n) the narrow shelf at the bottom of wink (v) to close and open one eye
has to say what they are. Together students must write a new a window quickly
sentence using each of the four words. Wing-commander (n) an officer rank in ‘The Champion of the World’
the Royal Air Force
‘The Landlady’ and ‘The Vicar’s Pleasure’ brewer (n) a person or company that
‘The Landlady’ and makes beer
1 Put students into pairs or small groups. They have to think of ‘The Vicar’s Pleasure’ keeper (n) someone who cares for or
alternative titles for these two stories. They can use four axe (n) a tool with a heavy metal blade protects animals
words at the most. at the end of a long handle used to cut pheasant (n) a large bird with a long
down trees or chop wood tail
2 One of these stories is frightening and one is funny. Divide
brisk (adj) quick and full of energy poach (v) to catch animals on private
students into small groups and tell them to write five things
commode (n) a piece of furniture with land without permission
for each story that makes it frightening or funny.
drawers or shelves pram (n) a small vehicle with four
‘Pig’ and ‘An African Story’ dilapidated (adj) old and in very bad wheels used to carry a baby
condition raisin (n) a dried grape
Divide students into pairs and tell them to write the following list illuminated (adj) lit up by lights
about the two stories. Who is the worst person, who is the best? Reverend (n) a title of respect used
Who do they feel sorry for and why? Who is cleverest and who is before the name of a Minister of the
stupidest, and why? Which animal suffers most and which animal Church
is the cleverest? Students compare lists with other pairs and sketch (n) a simple drawing that does
discuss their choices. not show much detail
tray (n) a flat piece of metal or wood
‘Champion of the World’ used for carrying things such as food or
plates
Divide students into groups of 5 or 6. They need to decide which
vicar (n) a priest in the Church of
are the most important ten words in the story and list them in order, England
1 the most important and 10 the least important. The class should
then compare lists. Which three words appear on most lists and in
which position?

© Pearson Education Limited 2002 Published and distributed by Pearson Education

Factsheet written by Michael Nation
Factsheet series developed by Louise James
Penguin Readers Factsheets

Level 6 – Advanced
Student’s activities

Man from the South

and Other Stories
by Roald Dahl

Man from the South and Other Stories

These activities can be done alone or with one or more other 2 Dahl writes about different colours in the story, white, black, grey
students. Pair/group-only activities are marked. and green. Make a list of the different things in these colours.
Why do you think Dahl did this? Talk to another student.
ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING THE BOOK
3 Do you things like this really happened in World War 2? Why
1 Read the Introduction to the book and then look at the or Why not? If the pilot is imagining it, what you think is really
Contents list. Which stories do you think has characters who happening to him?
are
The Landlady
(a) foolish?
1 Say which of the sentences is right or wrong. If one is wrong
(b) greedy?
make it correct.
(c) completely innocent?
(a) Billy Weaver is in Bath.
2 Choose three stories from the Contents list. Write the first two
(b) He wants to stay in a pub.
sentences of these three stories. Now read the first two
(c) He decides to stay in the guesthouse.
sentences of these stories in the book. How are your
(d) The guesthouse is expensive.
sentences different? Compare your sentences with another
(e) There are no other people staying there.
student.
(f) Billy wants some supper.
3 Look at the titles in the Contents list and imagine they are (g) The landlady is very kind.
chapters in a novel. Think about how the novel begins and (h) Billy has something to drink.
ends. Write a three or four sentences for each chapter until (i) The dog greets Billy.

Photocopiable
you have a complete plot for the novel. (j) The last guest in the house was two years ago.
2 Imagine you are Billy. You are worried about the landlady and
ACTIVITIES WHILE READING THE BOOK
the house and want to get away. At which point in the story
Man from the South do you leave and why? Compare your answer with another
student.
1 Who is ...
3 Dahl describes the landlady as “like the mother of one of his
(a) old?
best friends” and says that “she had probably lost a son of
(b) young?
her own.” What does this tell you about the landlady and
(c) English?
Billy?
(d) American?
(e) wearing clothes? The Vicar’s Pleasure
(f) not wearing clothes?
1 Think about the title of this story. What is the vicar’s
(g) given a name?
‘pleasure’? Compare your answer with another student.
(h) not given a name?
2 What two mistakes does Mr Boggis make that leads to the
2 What do the answers to question 1 tell you about the story
men destroying the commode?
and why did Roald Dahl choose to write the story in this way?
3 ‘Mr Boggis is greedier and stupider than the three men.’
3 Talk to another student. If you were the American boy would
Think about this and then discuss with another student.
you take the bet? Why/why not?

Beware of the Dog

1 Answer these questions.
(a) What type of plane is the pilot flying?
(b) Which of the pilot’s legs is injured?
(c) What two things tell the pilot he is not in England?
(d) How does he find out he is France?
(e) Why does he tell the RAF officer his name and
number only?

© Pearson Education Limited 2002

Penguin Readers Factsheets

Level 6 – Advanced
Student’s activities

Pig ACTIVITIES AFTER READING THE BOOK

1 This story is set in the city and the country. Look at these 1 Put the seven stories in a list, numbered 1 to 7, showing
phrases and then write the word ‘city’ or ‘country’ next to which you like most (1) and which you like least (7). Say why
them as the words relate to this story. you made your choice and then compare your list with
another student or a group.
(a) eat meat
(b) kill people 2 Would you like to read more of Dahl’s short stories? Say why,
(c) eat good food or why not.
(d) write books

Man from the South and Other Stories

3 Work in groups. These stories are for adults, but Dahl is
(e) grow vegetables
famous for his children’s books. Choose one of these stories
(f) steal money
and write a plan to change it into a children’s story. What
Now find two more things for the city and two for the country things do you need to change and what do you need to
keep? Think carefully about the ending.
2 Answer these questions.
(a) How is Aunt Glosspan different from Lexington’s other
relatives?
(b) Why does Aunt Glosspan teach Lexington at home?
(c) Why does Lexington go to the slaughterhouse after he
has eaten pork?
3 Discuss this with another student, “The things that happen in
this story are impossible. They could never happen.”
An African Story
1 Put these sentences in the right order. Put 1–6 in the boxes.
(a) The old man and Judson talked about Judson killing
dogs. ■
(b) The old man watched at night at the window. ■
(c) The dog was making a noise. ■
(d) Judson killed the dog. ■
(e) The mamba killed Judson. ■
( f ) The old man told Judson a boy stole the milk. ■
2 Find the different noises Judson dislikes and make a list.

Photocopiable
What other noises could there be that he dislikes? Make
another list of at least five things. Compare your two lists with
another students.
3 Why do think Dahl wrote the first section of this story in which
the young pilot meets the old man? What difference does this
make the story of the old man and Judson?
The Champion of the World
1 How many ...
(a) raisins do Claud and Gordon prepare?
(b) kilometres is it from the petrol station to the wood?
(c) months can poachers get in prison?
(d) keepers are there?
(e) ways of poaching does Claud describe?
(f) sleeping pills does Gordon have left?
(g) pheasants are in the feeding ground?
(h) pheasants did Claud’s father get in one night?
(i) pheasants does Claud give Charlie?
(j) pheasants are in the pram?
2 Make two lists called “poachers” and “keepers” and write the
names of all the people on the two sides, ie poachers and all
the people who help them, and keepers and all the people
who like shooting pheasants.
3 Look at the end of the story. What happens after Mr Hazel
arrives and sees the pheasants at the garage? He sees
Claud and Gordon later when they come back. What do they
tell him? Make some notes and then have the conversation
with another student.

© Pearson Education Limited 2002 Published and distributed by Pearson Education

Factsheet written by Michael Nation
Factsheet series developed by Louise James