Lamb To The Slaughter Irony

Words: 494
Pages: 2
Open Document
"Lamb to the Slaughter", by Roald Dahl is a story taking place in the 1950s at a young couple's home. The short mystery story describes a worrisome wife welcoming her husband home as he returns from work. Mary Maloney was pregnant, yet it did not stop her from fussing over her spouse, Patrick Maloney. She insisted to make him supper, or assist him in any way possible, but Patrick seemed awfully distant. Finally the conflict was revealed as he explained that he wanted to divorce her; In fact, he was in love with someone else. While Patrick was calm and unfazed, Mary became hysterical. She did not want to believe she would be left alone with a baby, with only a bit of money he would provide. Unconvinced Patrick was sensible, Mary continued making …show more content…
With faulty sorrow in her voice, Mary called the police. She behaved innocently as the detectives and police interrogated her. From a thorough inspection, the medic concluded Patrick was hit over the head once with a heavy club-like object. It was also decided the murder was not planned, most likely done in sudden anger. These scenes create situational irony, as the police come close to discovering the murder, but do not suspect Mary or her lamb chop in the oven. There is also dramatic irony, when the reader knows something ahead of the characters, such as how one knows Mary is guilty of the murder. Mary Maloney offers the cooked lamb to the officers, insisting they consume the entire thing since she had no one else to serve. The officials know there is something off about the case, stating the solution is probably right "under their noses". Verbal irony is introduced due to the fact the police are currently devouring the weapon used to kill Patrick Maloney. Mary's conflict is resolved as she gets away with the murder, not having to worry about Patrick with someone else. She silently laughs in the other room as the unsuspecting officers enjoy their
Show More

Related Documents: Lamb To The Slaughter Irony

Irony In 'Lamb To The Slaughter'

Mary had a little lamb, Its fleece was white as snow; And everywhere that Mary went The lamb was sure to go." This seemingly innocent nursery rhyme by Sarah Hale is about a little girl who brings her pet lamb to school. Another short text is the story by Roald Dahl, "Lamb to the Slaughter," which involves another Mary and a lamb. It is about Mary Maloney, who is a gentle and loving wife to a policeman named Patrick. On a day just like any other day, her husband tells her something that makes…

Words 1129 - Pages 5

How Does Dahl Use Irony In Lamb To The Slaughter

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…

Words 870 - Pages 4

The Tell-Tale Heart 'And Lamb To The Slaughter'

suspense are, “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe and “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl. A Majority of the plot in these stories is advanced by descriptions and actions of the main character. Dahl and Poe exploit this plot device by limiting and conversely offering us information about the main characters. Using the characters in this way, the authors create dramatic and situational irony to deliver the shock and suspense. Dramatic irony fulfills the suspense element of exciting dark literature…

Words 950 - Pages 4

The Interlopers By Saki And Lamb To The Slaughter

never do. Dahl and Saki use irony and character development to make the stories more intriguing for the reader and to have them on edge. In the Interlopers story by Saki and Lamb To The Slaughter by Dahl, it is clear that both stories use extreme irony by using different elements that the readers know that the characters do not. In The Interlopers by Saki, "When the two men go out to kill each other, only to make up and be killed by wolves. "This shows situational irony because no one expected that…

Words 299 - Pages 2

Respond To The Story 3 Essay

give up your hope. As long as you are thinking positively, you will always make it through. In conclusion, I did enjoy reading this book and I would like to read this author’s story again. Respond to the story “Lamb to the Slaughter” I disliked the story “Lamb to the Slaughter” because after I finished reading the story, I thought the things that happened in story were weird and did not make sense to me. In my opinion, this story’s plot are very unrealistic and boring. First of all, the author…

Words 1069 - Pages 5

Short Story Lamb To The Slaughter

Both stories are about lying, to other people but i think the story "lamb to the slaughter" deals more with situational irony it also deals with killing and that's not right because the person can stay with awareness. The story is about the wife killing her husband with a leg lamb. she argued with him then got mad and hit him with the frozen leg,he suddenly fell down she got scared. she decided to act like nothing happened, walked down to the store got some groceries didn't panic she spoke clearly…

Words 178 - Pages 1

Lamb To The Slaughter By Susan Glapell Analysis

The following stories are a great example of those days, when women could not take a stand in gender equality. “A Jury of Her Peers” by author Susan Glapell stresses how genders analyze situations in a totally different perspective. While, “Lamb to the Slaughter” by author Roald Dahl embellish how a dramatic change in life can transform an innocent housewife into a manipulating killer. Both stories illustrated similar…

Words 2130 - Pages 9

Murder Mystery Lamb To The Slaughter Analysis

Roald Dahl’s murder mystery Lamb to the Slaughter is a story that revolves around a brisk change in mood and borderline insanity. Mary Maloney, the main character, is a pregnant wife that spends most of her time sedately waiting for her beloved husband, Patrick, to come home from work. However, when Mary is told by him that they’re going to have a divorce, things go a bit hemic. The theme this story revolves around is underestimating the vulnerable. Near the middle of the story when Mary mutilates…

Words 1111 - Pages 5

Analysis Of Lamb To The Slaughter

Lamb to the Slaughter Assignment The story “Lamb to the Slaughter” is a short story made by Roald Dahl. In the story Mary Maloney kills her husband (with a leg of lamb) in an unsuspecting turn of events and covers it up. This assignment will be about me trying to explain my own ideas of her emotions and changes in her emotions. The first emotions you see in this story is the caring love of a wife. She is six months pregnant. Mary is waiting for her husband Patrick to come home. But the author…

Words 1074 - Pages 5

Essay on Short Story

very easy to understand. Even though some of the stories were a little longer and not as interesting they were still pretty enjoyable. My favorite short story from this unit was Roald Dahl’s “Lamb of the Slaughter.” This short story was very interesting and it was fun to read because of the suspense and irony of the characters actions. No one would think that she would have killed her husband because he wanted to leave her for another woman. She loved him and she wasn't going to let anyone be with…

Words 345 - Pages 2