Description
Have your class complete a literary analysis of the eerie short story “The Landlady” by Roald Dahl with this engaging, ready-to-use lesson.
Students begin with an anticipation strategy that builds curiosity and prepares them for the story’s unsettling tone. The lesson then supports comprehension with academic vocabulary and a graphic organizer, along with background information on Roald Dahl and the setting to help students better understand the context of the text.
As students read “The Landlady,” they respond to literary analysis questions that guide close reading and require the use of textual evidence. After reading, students choose from two creative writing assignments that extend their thinking and allow them to respond imaginatively to the story’s themes and mood. A complete answer key is included, along with an editable Word document of the reading questions for easy customization.
This resource is ideal for classes studying horror or suspense short stories, or for a seasonal lesson when you want students to read something creepy for Halloween. The analysis focuses on key literary elements such as irony, point of view, suspense, foreshadowing, and theme, making it a strong addition to any middle school or high school ELA unit.