The Landlady by Roald Dahl

Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024

The Landlady by Roald Dahl

Grade Level: This lesson plan is intended for High School English, ideally 9th or 10th grade.

Subject: Literature

Time Allotment: One class period (approximately 50 minutes)

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will be able to identify elements of suspense and foreshadowing in "The Landlady."
  • Students will be able to analyze the character of Billy Weaver and the landlady, Mrs. Munnings.
  • Students will be able to discuss the themes of appearances vs. reality and the uncanny.
  • Students will be able to interpret the story's ambiguous ending.

Materials:

  • Copies of "The Landlady" by Roald Dahl
  • Whiteboard or projector
  • Markers or pens
  • Character analysis worksheet (optional)
  • Theme analysis graphic organizer (optional)

Lesson Procedure:

  1. Introduction (10 minutes):
  • Briefly introduce Roald Dahl and his writing style, mentioning his use of suspense and dark humor.
  • Ask students to brainstorm what qualities they look for in a good place to stay (hostel, hotel, bed and breakfast).
  1. Building Suspense (15 minutes):
  • Have students read the first half of "The Landlady" (up to Billy settling into his room).
  • Discuss elements of suspense and foreshadowing in the story so far:

✵ How does Dahl create a sense of unease?

✵ Are there any specific details or descriptions that seem suspicious?

  1. Character Analysis (20 minutes):
  • Distribute character analysis worksheets (optional). Individually or in small groups, students analyze:

✵ Billy Weaver: His personality, motivations, and potential vulnerabilities.

✵ Mrs. Munnings: Her behavior, mannerisms, and anything unusual about her.

  • After analysis, lead a class discussion on the characters:

✵ How does the landlady's behavior contrast with what Billy might expect?

✵ What are some possible interpretations of Mrs. Munnings' actions and comments?

  1. Theme Discussion (15 minutes):
  • Introduce the concept of "the uncanny" in literature: a sense of strangeness or discomfort surrounding familiar things.
  • Discuss the themes of the story:

✵ Appearances vs. Reality: How does Dahl play with our expectations about a bed and breakfast?

✵ The Uncanny: How do specific details contribute to the unsettling atmosphere?

  1. Ambiguous Ending (5 minutes):
  • Discuss the story's ambiguous ending. What happens to Billy?
  • How does the ending leave the reader feeling? Encourage different interpretations.

Differentiation:

  • Provide scaffolding for reading comprehension by offering a vocabulary list of unfamiliar words or summarizing key plot points.
  • Offer different options for character analysis worksheets (e.g., Venn diagram, character web).
  • Allow students to choose a specific literary device (e.g., foreshadowing, simile) to focus on throughout the story.

Extension Activities:

  • Students can research the history of bed and breakfasts or Victorian-era hospitality.
  • Have students write a diary entry from the perspective of either Billy or Mrs. Munnings.
  • Compare and contrast "The Landlady" with another short story that uses suspense and ambiguous endings (e.g., "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson).

Assessment:

  • Participation in class discussions and group activities.
  • Completed character analysis worksheet or graphic organizer (if used).
  • Short reflection essay analyzing the elements of suspense and foreshadowing and their impact on the story's meaning.
  • Optionally, a creative writing piece inspired by the story's ending, imagining what might have happened to Billy.