The Lodger - Marie Belloc Lowndes

The murders seemed to be the work of a woman-hating fanatic. There were a number of likely suspects, but all have alibis. The police were baffled and the citizens terrified, for somewhere in the gas-lit, fog-bound alleys of London a madman was at large. And then one night there came a knock at the door of a quiet lodging house on Marylebone Road...When The Lodger was first published in 1912, about twenty-five years after the gruesome 'Jack the Ripper' murders in London's Whitechapel section, praise was forthcoming from both sides of the Atlantic.

Regina - 2
Victoria - 4
Julie - 4
Stacy - 4.5
Jennifer - 2
Cristen - 4

Some questions to ponder:
Did Marie Belloc Lowndes emphasize any specific themes throughout The Lodger?

What do you think Marie Belloc Lowndes is trying to explain with this theme?
What was unique about the setting of The Lodger and how did it affect the storyline?
Could you relate to any of the characters? If so, which ones and why?
How do characters change or learn throughout The Lodger? What events caused these changes? Have you or someone you know experienced the same thing?
How does The Lodger reveal Marie Belloc Lowndes's own perspectives about people and the world?

For a lively discussion, describe why you think Marie Belloc Lowndes is liberal or conservative.
Did certain parts of The Lodger affect you emotionally?

Why did it evoke those emotions?
Did Marie Belloc Lowndes's point of view on things lend new perspective to your own view of the world?