How Does Dahl Use Irony In Lamb To The Slaughter

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In "Lamb to the Slaughter," "The Landlady," and "Poison," Dahl uses irony and foreshadow to warn his readers of the contrast between reality and the appearance of things.
In “Lamb to the Slaughter,” Dahl uses irony to warn his readers. The protagonist, Mary Maloney, appears to be harmless: “She took his coat and hung it up. Then she made the drinks, a strong one for him and a weak one for herself; and soon she was back again in her chair with the sewing…” (Dahl 1). Soon after, she learns her spouse will be leaving her for another woman, and she kills him. When the detectives come, they do not suspect Mary: “They always treated her kindly…The two detectives were exceptionally nice to her.” (Dahl 4). The situation is ironic in that Mary appears …show more content…
His friend, Timber, calls Dr. Ganderbai for help. In the end, they find that there is no krait on Harry. Harry is enraged and shouts a flurry of racial slurs: “Are you telling me I’ a liar…Why, you dirty little Hindu sewer rat…You dirty black…” (Dahl 4). Harry respects Ganderbai only when he needs help. After his life is no longer in danger, he reveals his true feelings towards Ganderbai – hatred and pure disgust. It is ironic because Dahl builds up the suspense so well that the readers are convinced there is a krait, but there is not. More importantly, Harry appears to be a kind man. And in the end, he is racist. Harry takes advantage of Ganderbai; he respects him so that he would save his life. But when his life is no longer in danger, Harry treats Ganderbai disgustingly. “Poison,” similar to “Lamb to the Slaughter,” warns its readers to be wary of people’s true selves. Harry appears to be kind, but he is racist. Had Ganderbai realized Harry’s true feelings toward him, he would not have helped him. In the end, it was not the snake’s venom that was poisonous; it was …show more content…
In “The Landlady,” Billy, an innocent seventeen-year-old, searches for a place to stay. The low price of one bed and breakfast and its hospitable owner, The Landlady, compels him to stay there. However, a large contrast between the appearance of the inn and its actuality exist; Dahl often foreshadows the dark nature of the inn and ill intent of the owner. For example, the bed and breakfast, despite the price, is eerily empty: “There were no other hats or coats in the hall. There were no umbrellas, no walking sticks--nothing.” (Dahl 2). This foreshadows that something is wrong. The place should be booming with business; it’s cheap and is conveniently located. And yet, there is no one there. Dahl also mentions that Billy’s tea tasted of bitter almonds indicating that The Landlady poisoned his tea; bitter almonds indicate arsenic or cyanide (Dahl 5). We, as readers, pay much closer attention to the suspicious details than Billy does. Due to his lack of experience, Billy ignores all of them and chooses to stay at the bed and breakfast. We realize early that Billy’s life is in danger. But only at the end does Billy begin to doubt the validity of the inn. And at that point, it is much too late. Through the utilization of foreshadow, Dahl crafts a masterpiece in which he persuades the readers to cogitate their decisions. Billy gives almost no thought towards the bed and breakfast’s appearance versus reality. As a result, he loses
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