“The Landlady” Reading and Annotation
Essential Question: What does
the young man, Billy need? And
what are the Landlady’s
intentions with Billy?
Name:
Class:
Period:
Date:
Topic: Analyzing a Short Story for the following: Inferencing, Foreshadowing, Simile, Mood, Tone,
Summarization and Imagery.
From the title, what do you
think the story will be about?
Who is the main character?
Why has he come to Bath?
What first attracts Billy to
the Bed and Breakfast?
Re-read lines 28-38. How
would you describe Billy’s
mood?
List details of the bed and
breakfast that make it
inviting and comfortable.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What simile is used to
describe how the Landlady
answers the door?
What is weird about the
Landlady answering the door
so soon after Billy rings the
doorbell? What might this
mean about her?
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© 2004 AVID Center. All rights reserved.
The Landlady tells Billy that
she knew he would stay at
her bed and breakfast (159).
Why do you think she is so
certain Billy will stay?
Make a prediction: There are
no hats or coats in the hall
(176). What might this
mean?
There are no other guests in
the bed and breakfast. What
does this FORESHADOW?
What is Billy trying to figure
out? What does he reveal
about the two guests’ names?
List the anything the
Landlady says and does that
seem unusual or out of the
ordinary.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
How would you describe the
Landlady’s personality?
Explain with support.
List words, from lines 248-to 1.
the end of the paragraph, that
show what Billy thinks of the 2.
Landlady.
3.
4.
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© 2004 AVID Center. All rights reserved.
What odd thing has Billy
discovered about the
guestbook?
Billy recognizes a strange smell
of the house, what do you think
it is?
Billy is surprised when the
Landlady reveals what to him
about her pets? Why is he
surprised?
List the horrifying things the
Landlady reveals about her
activities.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What does Billy think about the
tea? From your background
knowledge, what has been done
to the tea?
What do you think will happen
to Billy?
Summary, Reflection, Analysis: Summarize the story in 3-4 sentences.
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© 2004 AVID Center. All rights reserved.