MACABRE IN THE LANDLADY

Roald Dahl's short story "The Landlady" is a masterful example of the intrinsic macabre—a
theme that combines elements of horror with an underlying psychological complexity. This
essay delves into the various dimensions of the macabre in "The Landlady," exploring how
Dahl uses characterization, setting, and plot to create a story that is both eerie and
compelling.

Characterization and the Macabre

The characterization of the landlady is central to the story’s macabre atmosphere. At first
glance, she appears to be a sweet, doting elderly woman, but Dahl subtly hints at her
sinister nature. Her overly attentive behavior towards Billy Weaver, the young protagonist,
and her peculiar habits, such as her obsession with taxidermy, gradually reveal a darker
side.

The landlady’s character embodies the macabre through her hidden intentions. Dahl’s
descriptions of her physical appearance and mannerisms are carefully crafted to create a
sense of unease. For instance, her "gentle" and "kind" demeanor starkly contrasts with the
eerie stillness of the boarding house and the unsettling details she nonchalantly shares
about her previous guests. This juxtaposition heightens the tension, making the reader
suspect that there is something deeply wrong beneath her pleasant exterior.

Billy Weaver’s characterization also contributes to the theme of intrinsic macabre. His
naivety and eagerness to find lodging lead him to ignore the warning signs. His gradual
realization that he might be in danger parallels the reader’s growing sense of dread. Dahl’s
choice to narrate the story from Billy’s perspective allows readers to experience his mounting
anxiety and fear, thereby enhancing the story’s macabre impact.

Setting and Atmosphere

The setting of "The Landlady" plays a crucial role in establishing the macabre tone. Dahl
sets the story in Bath, a seemingly ordinary English town. However, the ordinary is quickly
subverted by the unsettling ambiance of the boarding house. The house itself is described in
a way that evokes a sense of claustrophobia and entrapment. The furnishings are
old-fashioned and meticulously maintained, suggesting a stagnant, timeless quality that
contrasts sharply with the vibrant life outside.

The weather and time of day also contribute to the macabre atmosphere. Billy arrives in Bath
on a "brisk" and "clear" evening, which gradually turns colder and darker as he approaches
the boarding house. The transition from the lively streets to the quiet, dimly lit house mirrors
Billy’s descent into a more sinister reality. This use of setting to reflect the protagonist’s
psychological journey is a hallmark of the macabre, as it blurs the line between the external
environment and internal fears.

Plot and Suspense

The plot of "The Landlady" is structured to build suspense and evoke the macabre. Dahl
employs a slow reveal technique, where information is gradually uncovered, leading to a
chilling climax. The story begins innocuously enough, with Billy searching for a place to stay.
However, the tension mounts as he notices odd details about the boarding house and the
landlady.

The plot’s macabre elements are underscored by the landlady’s peculiar statements and
actions. Her comments about the previous guests, who mysteriously disappeared, and her
unsettling habit of referring to them in the present tense create a sense of foreboding. Billy’s
discovery of the guestbook, with only two names inscribed, and the realization that the
landlady has been waiting for another guest like him, adds to the growing horror.

Dahl’s use of foreshadowing is instrumental in building the macabre atmosphere. Early in the
story, Billy’s initial unease about the boarding house is dismissed by his desire to save
money and his assumption that the landlady is harmless. However, as more details are
revealed, the reader is forced to re-evaluate these assumptions. The seemingly trivial
details, such as the landlady’s fixation on tea and her taxidermy hobby, take on a more
sinister significance as the plot unfolds.

Themes of Control and Power

The intrinsic macabre in "The Landlady" is also evident in the themes of control and power.
The landlady’s dominance over her guests is subtly conveyed through her interactions with
Billy. Her insistence on maintaining the boarding house exactly as it was when her previous
guests arrived suggests a desire to control and preserve them in a macabre form of stasis.

Billy’s gradual realization of his lack of control heightens the story’s macabre impact. Initially
confident and in control of his situation, he becomes increasingly passive as the landlady’s
true nature is revealed. This shift in power dynamics is a common element in macabre
literature, where the protagonist often finds themselves trapped by forces beyond their
control.

Psychological Horror

The psychological horror in "The Landlady" is intrinsic to its macabre theme. Dahl expertly
taps into the fear of the unknown and the uncanny, creating a story that lingers in the
reader’s mind long after it ends. The landlady’s behavior, while outwardly normal, is imbued
with subtle hints of madness. Her obsession with taxidermy and her chilling ability to act
normal while hiding her true intentions create a sense of psychological unease.

Billy’s internal conflict and mounting dread are key elements of the psychological horror. His
initial skepticism gives way to fear as he pieces together the clues about the landlady’s
previous guests. This gradual realization, coupled with his inability to escape, creates a
sense of impending doom that is characteristic of macabre fiction.

Conclusion
Roald Dahl’s "The Landlady" is a masterclass in the intrinsic macabre, using
characterization, setting, plot, and themes of control to create a story that is both unsettling
and compelling. The gradual reveal of the landlady’s true nature, combined with the eerie
atmosphere of the boarding house, evokes a sense of psychological horror that lingers long
after the story’s conclusion. Through his expert use of suspense and foreshadowing, Dahl
crafts a tale that exemplifies the macabre, making "The Landlady" a timeless example of this
genre.