Short Stories 4H theory and The landlady

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Short Stories

Theory and Questions for Short Stories

Starter questions

What happens? --> The Actions

Who is it about --> The Characters

When and where does the story take place? --> The Setting

Q: Who are the important characters? Which one(s) is/are the main character(s) and why? What is the setting?

The Story

A problem occurs --> The Conflict

What is the conflict? First answer these:

Who is the main character and what changes does he/she go through?

Is the problem internal or external?

Q: What is the conflict of the story and is it internal or external?

The Development

1. The introduction --> Exposition, first few sentences, characters are introduced as is the setting

2. The complication --> Rising action, the conflict develops

3. The climax --> Turning point, the conflict gets resolved or explodes

4. The resolution --> Conflict ends, how can we interpret story in light of the theme. So, what is the message?

Q: Where does the complication/climax start? What do you call part of the story after the climax?

POV: Who tells the story?

1. First-person narrator: Protagonist tells their own story.

2. Omniscient narrator: God-like. Sees all and knows all. 

3. Central POV narrator: Know only their thoughts, not others.

4. Objective POV narrator: Like a camera, you see all but don't know the thoughts.

Q: Whose POV is this?

The Landlady by Roald Dahl

Who is the main character?

What is the setting?

What is the conflict?

Which POV?

What will happen to Billy?

When do you realise that maybe Billy is not really safe with the landlady?