Imagery
"The air was deadly cold, and the wind was like a flat blade of ice on his cheeks."
The sense of tactile sets a chilling, uncomfortable mood, unwelcoming and harsh.
Protagonist?
Billy Weaver
Tone
creepy, sinister,
Point of view (POV)
Third-person limited.
Why did Billy decide to stay at the bed and breakfast?
It was cheap.
It cost five and sixpence.
"There was a pretty little dachshund curled up asleep with its nose tucked into its belly. The room was filled with pleasant furniture, and a fire was burning in the hearth."
This visual and tactile imagery creates a false sense of warmth and safety
Antagonist
The Landlady
It is a key device in "The Landlady." Subtle hints are dropped throughout the story—such as the strange smell in the house or the landlady’s odd comments about her previous guests—that suggest something sinister is going to happen
Forshadowing
Linear or non-linear?
linear
Why does Billy think the landlady is harmless?
Because she is kind and welcoming.
"There was a peculiar smell that seemed to emanate directly from her person. It was not unpleasant, and it reminded him—well, he wasn’t quite sure what it reminded him of."
olfactory imagery, a strange smell hints at something being off
Setting?
Cozy bed and breakfast
England
1950s or 1960s
The Bed and Breakfast is not as safe as it seems.
irony
Main idea?
Appearances can be deceiving.
Trusting strangers without caution could be dangerous.
How does Billy react to the guestbook?
Surprised, because the names sound familiar.
"She had a round pink face and very gentle blue eyes."
visual imagery paints the landlady as harmless and grandmotherly,
Climax
Billy realizes the dog is not actually alive
exaggerate certain features or reactions to heighten the sense of unease or to draw attention to particular details
hyperbole
Theme?
The danger of trusting appearances and the hidden threats that can lurk beneath a friendly exterior
What does Billy learn about the landlady's pets?
They've been taxidermied, and she does it herself.
"He caught a whiff of a peculiar smell that seemed to emanate from the animals themselves, as though they were still alive."
Visual and Olfactory, making the stuffed animals seem eerily lifelike.
The Landlady - dynamic or flat character
flat - she does not change in the story
such as describing the house or the air in a way that suggests it has intentions or emotions
.
Personification
Conflict? Internal or External
Both
Internal - ignoring his suspicion and doubts about the landlady.
External - the landlady's manipulation
Why doesn't Billy like the tea?
The tea tasted like bitter almonds.