The short story is titled The Landlady and is written by Roald Dahl. The hook of this book is: “Billy Weaver had traveled down from London on the slow afternoon train, with a change at Reading along the way... ” (72).
Billy Weaver, who is the main protagonist of the story, is introduced by Dahl at this time, “Billy Weaver was seventeen-years old. He was wearing a navy-blue overcoat, a new brown trilby hat, and a new brown suit, he was feeling fine... .” (73).
The author creates a new setting at this time “There were no shops on this wide street... only a tall line of houses on each side, all of them identical. They had porches and pillars and four or five steps going up to the front doors... the paint was peeling from the woodwork on their doors and windows and that the handsome white facades were cracked and blotchy from neglect.” (73).
Roald Dahl begins the rising action, “... when all at once his eye was caught and held in the most peculiar manner by the small notice that was there... and the next thing he knew he was actually moving across from the window to the front door of the house, and reaching for the bell.” (74).
The author introduces a new character at this time, “... this dame was like a jack in the box... She was about forty five or fifty years old... ” (75).
Dahl possibly foreshadows a later event, “... I see someone standing there who is exactly right.” (75).
Another instance of foreshadowing is written by the author, “Christopher Mulholland. It rings a bell. Now where had he heard that before.” (76).
Roald Dahl possibly describes the rising action into further detail, as well as reintroducing two characters, providing better details on each, “'Left?... But my dear boy, he never left. He's still here. Mr. Temple is also here. They're on the fourth floor, both of them together.'” (79).
Mr. Dahl commences the climax of the story, “'That parrot. You know something? It had me completely fooled when I first saw it through the window. I could've sworn it was alive.''Alas, no longer'... 'It's most clever the way it's been done... Who did it?''I did.'... 'Have you met my little Basil as well?' She nodded towards the dachshund... 'I stuff all my little pets myself when they pass away.'... 'Excuse my asking, but haven't there been any guests except them in the last two years... '” (79-80).
Mr. Roald Dahl has an open ended denouement that leaves the reader to predict the cruel fate of her guest, “Holding her teacup high in one hand, inclining her head slightly to the left, she looked up at him out of the corner of her eyes and gave him another gentle smile. 'No, my dear... Only you.'” (80).
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