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Questions and Answers
What trait does Mary demonstrate throughout the story?
What trait does Mary demonstrate throughout the story?
How is Patrick Maloney portrayed in the text?
How is Patrick Maloney portrayed in the text?
What is a clear indication of the breakdown of Mary and Patrick's relationship?
What is a clear indication of the breakdown of Mary and Patrick's relationship?
How do the police officers respond to the emergency call in the story?
How do the police officers respond to the emergency call in the story?
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What role do the police officers play in the story?
What role do the police officers play in the story?
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What is the central plot point in 'Lamb to the Slaughter'?
What is the central plot point in 'Lamb to the Slaughter'?
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What is Mary's initial reaction upon learning about her husband's plan to leave her?
What is Mary's initial reaction upon learning about her husband's plan to leave her?
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How does Mary ensure the police officers consume the murder weapon?
How does Mary ensure the police officers consume the murder weapon?
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What is the outcome of Mary's plan in 'Lamb to the Slaughter'?
What is the outcome of Mary's plan in 'Lamb to the Slaughter'?
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Which character is initially portrayed as a loving and devoted wife in the story?
Which character is initially portrayed as a loving and devoted wife in the story?
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What is Mary's reaction in the final scene of the story?
What is Mary's reaction in the final scene of the story?
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Study Notes
Plot and Characters in "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl
"Lamb to the Slaughter" is a short story by Roald Dahl, published in 1954. The narrative revolves around Mary Maloney, the main character, who uses a frozen leg of lamb to kill her husband, Patrick Maloney, after learning that he is divorcing her. To avoid getting caught, she persuades the visiting police officers to believe she didn't commit the crime and serves them the leg of lamb, effectively destroying the evidence.
Plot
The story begins with Mary waiting for her husband to return home from work. As the evening progresses, she continues her routine tasks, pretending not to notice that her husband is leaving her. Once he reveals his intention to leave, Mary becomes enraged and decides to take action. Using a frozen leg of lamb, she strikes him on the head, killing him instantly. Believing that the police will arrive soon, she devises a plan to eliminate the evidence of her crime. By cooking the leg of lamb and serving it to the arriving officers, she ensures that they unwittingly consume the murder weapon while investigating the scene. The final scene shows Mary laughing at the irony of the situation.
Characters
Mary Maloney
Mary is the central character of "Lamb to the Slaughter." Initially presented as a loving and devoted wife, her true nature is revealed when she kills her husband. Despite her violent actions, Mary remains calm and collected throughout the story, demonstrating a chilling level of composure. She manipulates the events carefully, ensuring her innocence is believed. Mary is shown to be intelligent, resourceful, and capable of deceiving others.
Patrick Maloney
Patrick is portrayed as a selfish man insensitive to his wife's feelings. His decision to divorce her comes as a surprise to Mary, but it is a clear indication of the breakdown of their relationship. Despite his flawed character, he is an innocent victim of Mary's actions.
Police Officers
The police officers who respond to the emergency call are unsuspecting characters who fall into Mary's trap. By serving them the leg of lamb, she effectively destroys the evidence and diverts their attention from her crime. The officers are portrayed as ordinary people following protocol, unaware of the dark secret hidden within the meal they consume.
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Description
'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl explores the cunning actions of Mary Maloney, who uses a leg of lamb as a murder weapon and outsmarts the police. Learn about the intricate plot and key characters in this iconic short story.
