Elements of Post Modernism in the Story

1. Irony
The situational irony is shown in the story The Landlady by Roald Dahl when landlady tries to poison Billy Weaver. This is situational irony because the reader does not expect it to happen. 1st Evidence: "Everything is always ready day and night in this house just on the off-chance that an acceptable young gentleman will come along. (pg 2, para 16, line 185)

2nd Evidence: "Im a lucky fellow, he thought, rubbing his hands. (pg 4, para 28, line 264)

2. Technoculture and Hyperreality

Technoculture and hyperreality is shown in the story which involved the landlady. She is very talented in taxidermy. She stuffed all her little pets when they pass away. This shows that the people at that time are quite talented in preserving the dead body.
1st Evidence: Not in the least, she said. I stuff all my

little pets myself when they pass away. Will you have another cup of tea?
(pg 5, para 27, line 475)
2nd Evidence: That parrot, he said at last. You know

something? It had me completely fooled when I first saw it through the window from the street. I could have sworn it was alive.
(pg 5, para 24, line 445)

3. Foreshadowing
In this story, Roald Dahl focused more on foreshadowing than any other literary elements as it can gives hint about things that will happen later. This will gives greater impact towards the reader. Evidence: But the air was deadly cold and the wind was like a flat blade of ice on his cheeks . (pg 1, para 1, line 3) Explanation: This shows that the wind was sharp and 'deadly cold'. 'Flat blade' is associated with knives which is related to evil because it causes people to bleed when cut. Roald Dahl has shown fat blade and deadly cold to represent suspense in a deadly way.

Evidence: BED AND BREAKFAST, it said. BED AND BREAKFAST, BED AND BREAKFAST, BED AND BREAKFAST. (pg 2, para 10, line 3)

Explanation: Roald Dahl used repeated quotes to represent a sign

of supernatural and the font of this quote indicates that the sign was almost shouting back at Billy, a supernatural force pulling him towards the boarding house. At this time, Billy also being hypnotized by the words Bed and Breakfast.

Evidence: Now and again, he caught a whiff of a peculiar smell that seemed to emanate directly from her person. It was not in the least unpleasant, and it reminded him well, he wasnt quite sure what it reminded him of. Pickled walnuts? New leather? Or was it the corridors of a hospital?. (pg 6, para 52, line 3) Explanation: This foreshadowing in this story shows that the landlady uses chemicals for taxidermy method. Specifically, she uses formaldehyde which smell of walnuts.