Literary Analysis Lamb To The Slaughter

In Roald Dahl’s short story, Lamb To The Slaughter, a detective (Patrick) comes home to his pregnant wife (Mary) and tells her that he is leaving her. Mary reacts in an unthinkable way and murders him. The author reveals the actions and emotions of Mary before and after the murder.

As the story begins, we are introduced Mary and Patrick as a normal couple. Mary, a stay at home mom, is waiting on her husband to return home from work. This seems to be her annual routine. She drops whatever she is doing, to do anything for her husband. She is overly anxious, sitting at the window waiting for him to come home. Mary is excited and loving to see her husband come home ( Page 1 ). She is described as “nurturing” as she makes him drinks. …show more content…
She feels he is trying to have nothing to do with her as described when he says “i don't want it” referring to the offer of her cooking dinner ( 319 ). Mary was hurt by the way he seemingly ignored her and came with quick short responses. Mary’s emotions changed once Patrick told her his story( Page 1 ). “This is going to be a bit of a shock to you, i'm afraid,”he said. “But i've thought about it a good deal and i've decided the only thing to do is tell you right away. I hope you won't blame me too much. After hearing his story Mary’s loving character is replaced with a bloody murderer, after realizing he is growing apart from her. “So there it is he added. And i know it's kind of a bad time to be telling you, but there simply wasn't any other way. Of course I'll give you money and see you're looked after. But there needn't really be any fuss. I hope not anyway. It wouldn't be very good for my job¨. “For God’s sake”, he said, hearing her, but not turning around. “Don't make supper for me. I'm going out”. Mary did not cook the lamb for dinner but instead used it to murder her husband ( Page 4 ). Once murdering her husband, Mary realizes what she has done and the consequences of her awful crime ( Page 2 ). Mary gets worked up and is terrified for what is to come next. She is nervous , going to the store to get food may compromise her cover. Mary puts on a fake smile and proceeds to the …show more content…
She wept when the officers first came and continued on and off while they were inspecting the crime scene (321-322). They knew her so well they didn't even suspect Mary as a suspect for the crime. The police are in awe by the amount of strength used by the killer . Mary is relieved that the police do not suspect her as being the killer. She offers them dinner, hoping they will accept so she can feed them the murder weapon. The lamb was cooked by Mary, and the officers accept knowing that if they say no Mary’s feelings will be hurt. The officers suspect a steel bar or a heavy bar must have been used because the hit killed Patrick. Mary is loving the idea of serving them the murder weapon to dispose of the evidence. The police officer was making a statement that he thinks the murder weapon is “under their noses”. Which in reality it was because they were eating

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