The Landlady

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1959

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Summary

Story Analysis

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

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Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Throughout the story, Billy fails to pick up on what seem to be some fairly obvious hints that all is not right with the landlady. Why do you think that this is?

Billy is drawn into the house by a strange force, even though he had originally planned to look at some other lodgings first. What do you think that this force is, exactly? Do you think that it is emotional, supernatural, or both?

Why do you think that the story ends in the quiet way that it does, with Billy’s fate hinted at but not spelled out? How would the story be different if the ending were more graphic and violent, and less ambiguous?