The Landlady Themes

There is a recurring theme throughout the story, "Things aren't what they seem." Which statement best illustrates this theme?

• There were no other hats or coats in the hall. There were no umbrellas, no walking sticks— nothing.

• On the second-floor landing she said to him, “This floor is mine.”

• She seemed terribly nice. She looked exactly like the mother of one’s best school friend welcoming one into the house to stay for the Christmas holidays.

• “Oh, I am, my dear, I am, of course I am. But the trouble is that I’m inclined to be just a teeny weeny bit choosy and particular—if you see what I mean.”

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Choose the quotes that best display the landlady's eagerness to have another victim.

• “It’s all ready for you, my dear,” she said. She had a round pink face and very gentle blue eyes.

• “I saw the notice in the window,” he said, holding himself back.

• He pressed the bell—and out she popped! It made him jump.

• “I was on my way to The Bell and Dragon,” Billy told her. “But the notice in your window just happened to catch my eye.”

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CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which quote from the story shows the reader possible motivation for the landlady's actions?

• “I’m so glad you appeared,” she said, looking earnestly into his face. “I was beginning to get worried.”

• “And what about supper, my dear? Did you manage to get anything to eat before you came here?”

• “That’s all right,” Billy answered brightly. “You mustn’t worry about me.” He put his suitcase on the chair and started to open it.

• He guessed that she had probably lost a son in the war, or something like that, and had never gotten over it.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

“Now wait a minute,” he said. “Wait just a minute. Mulholland . . . Christopher Mulholland . . . wasn’t that the name of the Eton schoolboy who was on a walking tour through the West Country, and then all of a sudden . . .”

“Milk?” she said. “And sugar?”

What is the landlady's purpose for saying this line?

• She was trying to get Billy to drink the tea.

• She was appearing to be polite.

• She was thinking about her son.

• She was attempting to distract him from recalling where he had heard the names of the 2 men.

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CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which statement below is a valid theme of the story?

• People are not always who they seem to be.

• Bed and Breakfasts are usually safe establishments.

• Never look for a place to stay the night after dark.

• Women are natural caretakers.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which of the following statements BEST identifies a theme of the text?

• People should learn to set aside their differences

• Strangers can be more dangerous than they initially appear

• Loneliness can drive people to behave strangely towards others

• Kindness and hospitality are difficult to find among strangers

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which of the following statements BEST identifies a theme of the text?

• People should get to know each other first before resorting to judgment

• Strangers can be more dangerous that they initially appear

• Loneliness can drive people to behave strangely towards others

• Kindness and hospitality are difficult to find among strangers

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which statement best foreshadows Billy's fate?

• “That’s good. Because later on, if I happen to forget what you were called, then I could always come down here and look it up. I still do that almost every day with Mr. Mulholland and Mr. . . . Mr. . . .”

• She patted the empty place beside her on the sofa, and she sat there smiling at Billy and waiting for him to come over.

• Billy started sipping his tea. She did the same. For half a minute or so, neither of them spoke. But Billy knew that she was looking at him.

• Pickled walnuts? New leather? Or was it the corridors of a hospital?

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CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Based on the simple theme of "The Landlady" from the previous question, what is a more in depth theme of the text?

• Kindness and hospitality are difficult to find among strangers.

• People should get to know each other first before resorting to judgment.

• Strangers can be more dangerous than they initially appear.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is a recurring theme in 'The Landlady'?

• Appearances can be deceiving

• The importance of hospitality

• The dangers of traveling alone

• The kindness of strangers

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4