New Mexico School for the
Blind and Visually Impaired

Teen Reader

 “The Landlady” (1959)

“The Landlady” Text Version

“The Landlady” Audio Version

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl (born September 13, 1916, Llandaff, Wales—died November 23, 1990, Oxford, England) was a British writer who was a popular author of ingenious and irreverent children’s books. His best-known works include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) and Matilda (1988), both of which were adapted into popular films. (From Britannica.com)

Discussion Questions for “The Landlady”

1. From which point of view is “The Landlady” being told?
2. How does the author’s choice of point of view create suspense in the story?
3. In the first paragraph, what is the author’s purpose in referring to the cold as “deadly” and “like a flat blade of ice”?
4. What is the author’s purpose in describing Billy Weaver’s background and goals?
5. What is the author’s purpose in repeating the word brisk in various forms?
6. Why does the author state that Billy felt compelled to approach the boarding house?
7. How does the author’s use of irony when describing the landlady make the reader question her?
8. Why does the author include the line, "There were no other hats or coats in the hall. There were no umbrellas, no walking sticks-nothing."?
9. When Billy is in the living room, what first alerts the reader that something maybe wrong?

10. As Billy is almost remembering the connection between the two boys, what effect did the interruptions from the landlady have on the story?

11. What evidence from the story suggests Billy's demise?

12. What does the landlady’s dialogue reveal about her character?

13. What is the message or main idea of this story? What in the story leads the reader to this conclusion?

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