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.”

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.”

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.

“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.

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.

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

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

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?

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.

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