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Theme Of Foreshadowing In The Landlady By Roald Dahl

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Roald Dahl uses various writing techniques in the horror short story, “The Landlady,” to build suspense, or the uncertainty or anxiety that a reader will feel about what may happen next in a story, novel, or drama. In this short story, the protagonist, Billy Weaver, a young, handsome seventeen-year-old, traveled from London to Bath, due to work, and looks for accommodation. Eventually, he came across a quaint bed and breakfast owned by a landlady who appeared to be generous. The landlady portrayed herself as a kind, innocent soul, but her intentions spoke otherwise. As the tale continued, Billy realizes that things are not what they initially appeared to be at the bed and breakfast. Through the use of foreshadowing and characterization, the author, Roald Dahl, of the horror short story, “The Landlady,” effectively builds suspense for the reader in the thread of the plot. To begin, foreshadowing is one of many literary elements Dahl efficiently demonstrates through his writing to gradually develop suspense, throughout the story. To illustrate, Dahl revealed foreshadowing through his writing techniques when, the protagonist, Billy Weaver, arrived at the bed and breakfast, he described the sign like “. . . a large black eye staring at him through the glass, holding him, compelling him, forcing him to stay where he was and not to walk . . .” (172). Dahl builds anticipation for the reader by using the simile which collates the sign of the bed and breakfast to a large black eye giving the reader a clue of how the signboard shows an impression of horror; therefore, the boardinghouse may consist of danger that can harm Billy because of its ghastly signs. To the reader, it almost seems as if Billy is being hypnotized by the sign, telling him to stay at the bed and breakfast. One can draw the conclusion that something grim may occur following his stay at the bed and breakfast. This illustration of foreshadowing keeps one wondering what may occur in the future, which may create anticipation for the reader. Furthermore, during the rising action, of the tale, the antagonist, the landlady peculiarly stated, “‘It’s all ready for you, my dear...” (Dahl 173). By emphasizing the word “all” when the landlady speaks to Billy

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