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The Landlady — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 12 · English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections

What The Landlady covers in ICSE Class 12 English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.

45 questions30 flashcards5 concepts

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4 Topics · ICSE Class 12 English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections · 2026-27

Topics in The Landlady

1

1. Plot Overview

  • Billy Weaver travels from London to Bath by train with a change at Reading and arrives around nine o'clock in the evening.
  • He asks the porter for a fairly cheap hotel nearby and is directed to The Bell and Dragon.
  • Billy notices a bed-and-breakfast with a welcoming window display, a bright fire, a dachshund, and a parrot, which makes it seem safe and cosy.
2

2. Characters and Their Roles

  • Billy Weaver is a seventeen-year-old young man from London who comes to Bath for a job and needs lodging.
  • Billy is innocent, polite, and eager to fit in, which makes him vulnerable.
  • He notices the landlady’s small, white, quickly moving hands and red finger-nails, details that add to her unsettling image.
3

3. Themes and Central Ideas

  • Appearance versus reality is the strongest theme: the house looks safe and inviting, but danger hides inside.
  • Innocence and vulnerability are shown through Billy’s trust, politeness, and lack of experience.
  • Deception is present in the landlady’s warm speech, cosy room, and motherly manner.
4

4. Literary Devices and Writing Style

  • The story uses suspense by revealing danger slowly instead of immediately.
  • Imagery is strong in the description of the cold evening, the cosy room, and the warm fire.
  • Symbolism appears in the bed-and-breakfast, which seems to represent safety but becomes a trap.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Suspense, deception, and psychological horror in Roald Dahl's The Landlady

Billy WeaverThe LandladySetting: BathAppearance versus realitySuspense and foreshadowingDeception and manipulationTaxidermy and preserved animalsChristopher Mulholland

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in The Landlady for ICSE Class 12 English- Short Stories : Perspectives and Reflections?
Key topics in The Landlady include Plot Overview, Characters and Their Roles, Themes and Central Ideas, Literary Devices and Writing Style. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the ICSE Class 12 board exam.
How should I revise The Landlady for the ICSE Class 12 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 45 practice questions on The Landlady. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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