Characters
Billy Weaver
Billy Weaver is depicted as a naive and unsuspecting young man who falls victim to the manipulative schemes of the titular character. Initially, Billy is portrayed as a confident and independent individual, arriving in Bath for business. However, as he interacts with the Landlady, it becomes evident that he lacks the street smarts to recognize the warning signs of danger. For instance, despite noticing the absence of other guests and the eerily perfect condition of the house, Billy chooses to overlook these peculiarities, attributing them to the Landlady's hospitality. This naivety ultimately leads him into the Landlady's trap, as he fails to heed his instincts and question her motives.
In a particular example of Billy’s naivety, we see Billy misread the Landlady’s intentions. Dahl writes, “I’m so glad you appeared,” she said, looking earnestly into his face. “I was beginning to get worried.” “That's all right,” Billy answered brightly. “You mustn't worry about me.” He seems oblivious to the dangers of the world; in fact, he appears quite self-centered as he doesn’t notice the oddity of the Landlady’s statements and concludes that she is worried about his well-being.
Furthermore, Billy is susceptible to manipulation and deception. The Landlady preys on his vulnerability by offering him tea and engaging him in conversation, all the while subtly exerting control over his decisions. She uses language loaded with euphemisms and affectionate terms to disarm Billy and lower his guard. Despite the strange atmosphere of the house and the odd behavior exhibited by the Landlady, Billy remains comfortable.
The Landlady
With her “round pink face and very gentle blue eyes,” the Landlady presents a chilling facade of kindness and hospitality. Her seemingly genuine smile and friendly demeanor mask a manipulative and predatory nature. Her obsession with preserving memories of past guests through taxidermy hints at a dark desire for control and possession. The Landlady's euphemistic language further reveals her manipulative tactics. Driven by loneliness and a warped perception of affection, she lures young men into her trap and preserves them as permanent fixtures in her strangely static world. This character embodies the unsettling darkness that can lurk beneath a harmless exterior, highlighting the dangers of isolation and unaddressed emotional needs.
The Landlady’s outward appearance of kindness belies her true nature. From the moment Billy encounters her, she exudes an air of hospitality and warmth, inviting him into her home with love. To Billy, she seems “like the mother of one’s best school friend welcoming one into the house to stay for the Christmas holidays.” However, as the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that her affable facade masks a dark and predatory instinct.
Moreover, the Landlady's manipulative tactics highlight her cunning and deceitful nature. She employs subtle persuasion techniques, such as offering Billy tea and complimenting him on his appearance, to influence his decisions and manipulate him into staying at her guesthouse. She used disturbingly affectionate terms to appear kind and harmless, when in reality she is neither. Ultimately, the Landlady's character serves as an embodiment of the dangers of trusting appearances.
