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:
- 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).
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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.