essay prompts for lamb to the slaughter

Lamb To The Slaughter

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Discussion Questions

How does Dahl establish an atmosphere of domestic calm at the opening of the story? What clues does he give that the harmonious mood is soon to be shattered? Make reference to foreshadowing in your answer.

Describe the relationship between Mary and her husband. How does their marriage reflect the values of 1950s society? What is the author’s overall message about traditionally assigned gender roles?

What impression does the reader have of Mary Maloney at the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”? How does that perception change as the story progresses? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

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Lamb to the Slaughter Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

Define “black comedy” and discuss how black comedy applies to the story “Lamb to the Slaughter.” What elements in the story are funny? Why are they funny? Do you think the author intends for the reader to find the story humorous or frightening?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the setting of “Lamb to the Slaughter” and the time period in which the short story was published. What literary movements took hold in America and Europe during the Post-War period? What qualities defined these movements? How is the setting of the 1950s evident in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Define “narrative point of view” and discuss the point of view of “Lamb to the Slaughter.” Is the story related in the past, present or future tense? Is the story told from a first, second, or third person point of view? How limited is the narrator’s perspective? Why do you...

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Activities for Teaching Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl

Secondary Literacy , Short Stories

“ Lamb to the Slaughter ” is a timeless classic. Roald Dahl’s brilliant short story uncovers a plot that is equal parts suspenseful and darkly humorous. Set in what appears to be an ordinary domestic scene, Dahl masterfully weaves a tale of deception , revenge , and unexpected twists. There is no shortage of activities for teaching “Lamb to the Slaughter” in your classroom.

This short story is sure to engage your students and leave them with plenty to discuss. It’s also a great option for teaching irony , making inferences , and exploring characterization . If you’ve never taught “ Lamb to the Slaughter ” before, prepare to have students at the edge of their seats!

What is “Lamb to the Slaughter” About?

When a devoted housewife receives startling news from her husband, this seemingly congenial story takes a dark and unexpected twist. Roald Dahl’s scary short story is a tale of ingenuity and the ironies of justice. With a weapon as unusual as it is ordinary, Dahl masterfully uncovers the thin line between love and vengeance. Your students will learn that there’s more that meets the eye after reading this eerie classic!

The story revolves around the protagonist, Mary Maloney – a traditional housewife with less conventional problem-solving skills. Unforeseen events suddenly disrupt Mary’s world, leaving her with a lot on her plate. As the narrative progresses, a profound transformation takes place, reshaping the course of her life. Dahl’s masterful storytelling skillfully navigates themes of tension , suspense , and human nature . It offers students a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of the character development and plot twists.

What age is “Lamb to the Slaughter” suitable for?

“ Lamb to the Slaughter ” is just about 4000 words in length. With a Lexile level of 780 , this scary short story is suitable for sophomores , freshmen , and even students in upper middle school .

If you teach senior-level high school students, “Lamb to the Slaughter” is still a valuable short story for your classroom. Students with a mature understanding of the culture of domesticity will have a lot to unpack from the story. Students can practice argumentative writing through exploring the motivations of Mary Maloney using these essay prompts .

It is important to note that “Lamb to the Slaughter” is a short story that implies a fair bit of violence. Although the events of the story are intended to be interpreted on a symbolic level, these events may be unsettling for some students. Educators should exercise discretion and consider the maturity and sensitivity of their students when choosing to include this story in a classroom curriculum.

What is the main lesson of “Lamb to the Slaughter?”

“ Lamb to the Slaughter ” illustrates how seemingly ordinary people can react in extraordinary ways when pushed to their limits. It serves as a commentary on the complexities of human behavior, the unpredictability of life, and the consequences of impulsive actions.

This short story is also a great starting point to exploring more complex concepts like implicit bias , domestic violence , and the criminal justice system .

Activities for teaching “Lamb to the Slaughter”

When it comes to short stories, I like to dig deeper into the themes and ideas that arise. Short stories provide a lot of value to the classroom because they spark engagement without assigning too much reading for homework. The other benefit of short stories is that they provide a less intimidating text to encourage close reading . I like to spend at least a week teaching “Lamb to the Slaughter” – sometimes even two. This offers students the opportunity to really master the text and revisit it enough to gain a deeper understanding. 

Here are my favourite lessons and activities for teaching “Lamb to the Slaughter” :

1. Practicing Making Inferences

What is remarkable about this short story is how much of it is told between the lines.  Students will have to make inferences about this story regardless of whether you prompt them to or not. In order to come to grips with the central event of the story, they’ll have to make conclusions based on the clues provided by the author.

I like to use this learning opportunity to teach students about making inferences. This gr aphic organizer will prompt students to make inferences and dive deeper into an analysis of Roald Dahl’s “Lamb to the Slaughter.”  Students will be challenged to analyze evidence from the text to provide both a literal evaluation and an inference about the interpretive meaning of each quote.  There are 11 quotations from “Lamb to the Slaughter” in total. Each quotation highlights key moments within the short story. These include the motivations of each character and the missing dialogue between Patrick and Mary.

Your lesson on making inferences can also serve as a pre-reading activity using this informational handout about “Lamb to the Slaughter.”   This handout explains the origins of the title of this short story and prompts students to make predictions about what will happen.  To consolidate this activity, this handout also includes pre-reading and post-reading questions to evaluate Dahl’s choice of title.

The missing dialogue between Patrick and Mary is truly the most mysterious and intriguing aspect of “Lamb to the Slaughter.” My students have had a lot of fun responding to a narrative writing prompt that has them explore the possible exchanges that can fill the void that Dahl creates in this story. This narrative writing assignment is also a great way to consolidate your lesson on making inferences.

2. Exploring Characterization

“ Lamb to the Slaughter ” is an excellent resource for teaching characterization in literature. Through the transformation of the protagonist, the story offers a compelling case study in character development . Educators can guide students in exploring how the author uses direct and indirect characterization techniques to reveal Mary Maloney’s personality, motivations, and internal conflicts. 

By dissecting Mary’s actions, thoughts, and dialogue throughout the story, students can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of character construction and how authors employ various literary devices to bring characters to life.  

This character analysis informational handout defines characterization and differentiates between direct characterization and indirect characterization .  Students will then be prompted to locate evidence in the text to characterize Mary Maloney, Patrick Maloney, Jack Noonan, and Sam.

Students can organize their evidence from the text in this character analysis graphic organizer .  This graphic organizer prompts students to identify the type of characterization (direct or indirect characterization) and the category of characterization (words, thoughts, appearance, etc.).  Finally, students will also analyze the evidence to offer their interpretation of the character.

3. Identifying Types of Irony

“Lamb to the Slaughter” is one of my favourite stories to use to demonstrate different types of irony . Students can explore how Dahl composes a story in which the title itself takes on a profound irony. As the story unfolds, the seemingly mundane domestic setting is juxtaposed with the shocking events that transpire, providing an ideal backdrop for discussions on this literary device. In addition to this, the unexpected twists in the plot – along with the reactions and perceptions of the characters – offer rich material for exploring dramatic irony.

Analyze Dahl’s brilliant use of irony with this free irony flow chart . This worksheet defines irony and differentiates between dramatic irony , situational irony , and verbal irony .  Students will be prompted to locate evidence in the text to apply examples to teach type of irony. They will also analyze why these examples qualify as ironic.

4. Teaching Argumentative Writing

If you teach older students, they’ll definitely have some fun arguing about the motivations of Mary Maloney . By interpreting her actions on a symbolic level, senior students can even analyze “Lamb to the Slaughter” from a feminist lens, and respond to whether or not Mary is a revolutionary housewife. 

This argumentative writing assignment for “Lamb to the Slaughter” provides three argumentative essay prompts . You can select a single writing prompt to assign to your students, or provide them with the option of student choice.  These prompts assess students on different areas of literary analysis, including figurative language (specifically irony), characterization , and theme .  

For a more experiential approach, you could also host a mock trial for Mary Maloney. This project-based learning opportunity provides differentiated roles for your students. It will help them develop main points and evidence to support their cases. If you have a particularly inquisitive group of students, you can assign them the task of defending Mary Maloney on whatever grounds they can imagine. Temporary insanity or lack of sovereignty are two arguments that can create a compelling case!

Teaching Lamb to the Slaughter: Tying It All Together

There are so many fun lessons and activities for teaching “ Lamb to the Slaughter .” Whether you teach middle school or senior students, there is so much value to be found in this short story. I hope you’ve found this blog post offered you some engaging options! To take your exploration of this classic short story to the next level, make sure to check out this “ Lamb to the Slaughter ” unit from my shop.

Lamb to the Slaughter

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Lamb to the Slaughter

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“Lamb to the Slaughter” is a short story by Roald Dahl that was first published in the September 1953 issue of Harper’s magazine . The story is one of suspense with strong elements of the black humor for which the author is noted in his works for both adults and children. It was later included in Dahl’s short story collection Someone Like You which became a Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award winner in 1954. "Lamb to the Slaughter" was adapted for television twice: in 1958 for Alfred Hitchcock Presents  for Dahl's own Tales of the Unexpected  series in 1979.

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Essay Samples on Lamb to The Slaughter

“Lamb to The Slaughter” opens with Mary Maloney, a devoted housewife eagerly awaiting her husband’s return from work. However, her idyllic domestic life is shattered when her husband delivers devastating news that sends shockwaves through her world. In a moment of sheer desperation, Mary’s emotions spiral out of control, leading her to commit an impulsive and unthinkable crime. What follows is a brilliantly crafted tale of suspense, deceit, and the lengths one can go to protect themselves.

How to Write “Lamb to The Slaughter” Essay

To write an impactful “Lamb to The Slaughter” essay, we recommend starting with a compelling introduction that sets the stage for the story’s central themes. Dive into the dynamics of the characters, exploring their motivations and the web of deception that unfolds. Discuss the elements of irony and dark humor that Dahl expertly weaves into the narrative, enhancing its overall impact.

In your essay’s body paragraphs, you can explore various “Lamb to The Slaughter” essay topics such as:

• the theme of betrayal within relationships
• the societal expectations of women in the 1950s
• the power dynamics between individuals
• the narrative techniques employed by Dahl, including suspenseful pacing, vivid descriptions, and skillful dialogue, to create a tension-filled reading experience.

For the conclusion, reflect on the lasting impact of “Lamb to The Slaughter” and its ability to engage readers across generations. Consider the timeless themes of betrayal, guilt, and the consequences of impulsive actions. Highlight the story’s relevance in prompting discussions about human nature, the complexity of morality, and the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator.

Lamb to the Slaughter: Dissecting Literary Devices Used in the Story

Similes are quite often used within the short story, “Lamb to the Slaughter”. An example of this can be identified in the title, which can also be interpreted as: “Like a lamb to the slaughter” the lamb in the story is used as a symbol...

• Lamb to The Slaughter
• Short Story

Analysis of the Elements of Fiction in the Novels The Mark of Cain, Lamb to The Slaughter and The Tell-Tale Heart

Summary The Mark of Cain by Roxane Gay The short story is about a young unnamed woman who is married to a man called Caleb, Caleb has an identical twin, Jacob. They both switch places for days. The woman knows about their actions but does...

• The Tell Tale Heart

Antagonist And Protagonist In “Lamb to the Slaughter”

“Lamb to the Slaughter” is a short story written by Ronald Dahl. it is about two people who love each other, but the love is one-sided. One day, the man wants to get a divorce from the woman while she is six months pregnant. She...

• Protagonist

"Lamb to the Slaughter": Comparison of the Story and the Movie

In the three makings of Lamb to the Slaughter, they all tell their story in a different way. In the text comparison to the 1979 film color, one of the main differences was that Mary had a flashback of her killing Patrick instead of her...

My Adaptation to 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl

The text I am adapting is a short story called “Lamb To The Slaughter” by Roald Dahl. In this text, there were a lot of things that interested me. In the story, Roald Dahl uses the themes of death and murder. Patrick Maloney is one...

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The Character of Mary Maloney In “Lamb to the Slaughter”

Mary Maloney is the protagonist of Roald Dahl’s short story, “Lamb to the Slaughter”. She is introduced as a typical middle class housewife who is six months pregnant and is devoted to her husband, Patrick Maloney. She is described as beautiful woman, with soft skin...

Best topics on Lamb to The Slaughter

1. Lamb to the Slaughter: Dissecting Literary Devices Used in the Story

2. Analysis of the Elements of Fiction in the Novels The Mark of Cain, Lamb to The Slaughter and The Tell-Tale Heart

3. Antagonist And Protagonist In “Lamb to the Slaughter”

4. “Lamb to the Slaughter”: Comparison of the Story and the Movie

5. My Adaptation to ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ by Roald Dahl

6. The Character of Mary Maloney In “Lamb to the Slaughter”

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A Summary and Analysis of Roald Dahl’s ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ is a 1953 short story by Roald Dahl (1916-90), which was initially rejected for publication but was later adapted for television on several occasions. Included in Dahl’s collections Someone Like You (1953) and Tales of the Unexpected (1979), the story is about a wife who murders her unfaithful husband with a frozen leg of lamb before hatching a plan to ensure she isn’t caught for her crime.

Before we offer an analysis of ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’, it might be worth recapping the plot of Dahl’s story.

Plot summary

Mary Maloney is waiting at home for her husband, Patrick, to get home from work. He is a detective. She is six months pregnant with their child. When he gets home, she pours them both a drink and notices that Patrick has drained his glass more swiftly than he usually does. He pours himself another whisky before revealing to his wife that he plans to leave her.

Mary is stunned by this revelation, and initially wants to act as though it hasn’t happened. She decides to go and get some food from the freezer that she can cook for their dinner. She finds a leg of lamb in the freezer, and when her husband announces he’s going out, she strikes him on the back of the head with the lamb leg, killing him.

Immediately she starts to think about how to cover her tracks so she won’t be caught. She puts the meat in the oven to cook. After rehearsing what she will say to the nearby grocer, she goes out to his shop and buys some potatoes and peas to go with the roast lamb. When talking to the grocer, Sam, she acts as though everything is all right and her husband is waiting for her back home.

When she returns home, she talks herself into believing her husband is still alive, so she is genuinely shocked when she sees his body lying on the floor. She phones the police to report that he has been murdered, and a group of detectives – who knew Patrick from work – show up to investigate his death.

The detectives make a thorough search of the house, believing that Patrick was murdered by a heavy metal implement. So they search for something that could have been used as the murder weapon. They remain in the house for so long that Mary offers them all a drink. They reluctantly accept and, when she is reminded of the lamb cooking in the oven, she suggests that they eat it since they must be hungry.

Again, they agree, and as they sit around the table eating the leg of lamb which killed their former colleague, they remain oblivious to the fact that they are, in fact, destroying the evidence themselves. In the next room, Mary giggles.

Dahl’s story was suggested by his friend Ian Fleming, who created James Bond. Dahl adapted Fleming’s Bond novel You Only Live Twice for the big screen; he also co-wrote the screenplay for the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang , which was also based on a Fleming novel. And it was Fleming who suggested the idea for ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’, telling his friend that he should write a story about a woman who murders her wife with a leg of mutton (not lamb) which she then serves to the investigating officers.

‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ can be categorised as a horror story (although given the lack of any supernatural element, ‘thriller’ is perhaps a more apposite label), although we should also pay attention to the darkly humorous elements of the tale: features in keeping with Dahl’s writing as a whole.

The story reflects – but then subverts – a common trope of the early 1950s: namely, the wife as the faithful homemaker while the husband goes out to work. At the beginning of ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’, Mary Maloney cannot do enough for her husband, waiting patiently and eagerly for him to arrive home, fetching his drink, asking him about his day.

But when the stability of her world crumbles in a few minutes, when Patrick tells her that he is leaving her (although it isn’t mentioned, we assume he has met someone else), she changes very quickly – and easily – from dutiful wife to cold-blooded murderer.

In other words, once the role she has settled into over the years, that of being ‘Mrs Patrick Maloney’, is taken away from her, she finds herself able to switch in and out of that role with ease. After a brief rehearsal at home, she is able to convince the grocer that she is still the dutiful wife once again: an act she performs again for the policemen.

Dahl makes it clear that she doesn’t murder her husband out of fear of being penniless without the money from him, the breadwinner of the family: he makes it clear he will continue to provide for her financially. Instead, her motive is more complex. Does she kill him out of jealousy or spite, or resentment at having conceived the child of a man who doesn’t even intend to hang around long enough to see it born?

Dahl leaves these questions open for us to discuss. Note how, in the moments preceding that decisive moment when she strikes her husband with the leg of lamb, her movements become automatic, as if she is being guided by some other force. Her unconscious? The concentrated righteous anger of ‘a woman scorned’? Dahl tells us that she ‘simply’ walked up to her husband and struck him with the lamb.

It is as if she is performing some perfunctory task, almost as though the mundane and automatic business of housework has been extrapolated to incorporate the business of murder. She doesn’t appear to lash out in a moment of fury, cold or otherwise. It is almost as if she feels she has no other choice.

There is obviously a grim irony in the method she uses to dispatch her husband. The roast joint cooking in the oven is the symbol par excellence of the good 1950s housewife, feeding her husband after a long day at work. There is also symbolism in the fact that this food, meant to be an offering from wife to husband, is used instead to kill the husband, with the deadly weapon being given instead to a host of other men (who, as policemen, are also stand-ins for the dead husband in some respects).

In the last analysis, then, ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ is a short story about how easily the meek and loving housewife can transform into a cold and calculating killer. It is Mary’s sudden change that makes the story so unsettling, and the lack of remorse she shows for her crime; but her choice of murder weapon and method of disposing of the evidence make this story as much black comedy as out-and-out horror tale.

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lamb to the slaughter essay

Lamb To The Slaughter

Summary for “Lamb to the Slaughter” The short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” was written by an author named Roald Dahl. The setting of this article was at Mr. and Mrs. Maloney’s house and the main conflict is that Mr. Maloney wanted to have a divorce between him and his wife; he was seeing a different woman. That night, Mrs. Maloney was waiting for her husband, full of anxiety. She was watching the clock as the time went by and she finally heard her husband slam the door of his car. As he came in

“Lamb to the Slaughter”, by Roald Dahl, tells about Mary and Patrick Maloney. The story takes place in the Maloney household during the 1950s. As Patrick returns home from his job as a police officer, Mary is ready to prepare dinner for herself and Patrick. Beforehand, Patrick explains he needs to talk to her imperatively. He confesses that he is in love with another woman and is divorcing Mary for her. Mary, expecting her first child with him, is extremely disheartened by this news. Nonetheless

Vinci is highly relevant to the climax of “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl, because it provides a reason for why Mary kills her beloved husband. This quote explains how when Mary kills her husband, that it was her heart speaking and not her head. The images on my poster show the calm before the storm, Mary walking up the stairs with the soon to be murder weapon. Both of these points relate to the climax of the short story. Mary taking the leg of lamb from the freezer downstairs and walking with

Comparison Of Slaughter And Lamb To The Slaughter

titled “Lamb to the Slaughter” follows the story of the pregnant woman, Mary Maloney, and her husband Patrick. The story begins when Patrick decides to end his marriage. Out of anger and shock, Mary kills Patrick by hitting him on the back of the head with a leg of lamb. Instead of confessing to the murder, Mary Maloney lies about what she did and tricks the officers into eating the leg of lamb, effectively destroying any remaining evidence of the murder. The theme of “Lamb to the Slaughter” is deception

Lamb To The Slaughter Theme

worlds various good and bad ideologies. In the story, Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl a woman named Mary kills her husband with a leg of lamb. Then, she calls the cops and tells them that her husband is dead. After that, she feeds the murder weapon to the cops on the scene. The portrayal of women as the bad cop, the preconceived notion of a female's role in society, and implied dependence on men are all themes in Lamb to the Slaughter. In using the wife as the murderer, Roald Dahl shows the

Lamb To The Slaughter And The Landlady

In Roald Dahl's stories “Lamb to the Slaughter” and “The Landlady” he shows a motif of hidden motives. In “Lamb to the Slaughter,” Mary Maloney’s husband, Patrick, a detective, wants a divorce with her. This causes Mary, wanting to keep her motives hidden, to think of an alibi to not be caught. In “The Landlady,” Billy comes across a Bed and Breakfast owned by the Landlady, whose motives are hidden because she’s a serial killer. With Billy, tired from his travels, he decides to stay at the Bed and

Lamb To The Slaughter Comparison

Roald Dahl, author of “Lamb to the Slaughter”, message to the readers is that life can betray you, including our loved ones, however, it does not mean we should seek revenge because it will lead to a tragedy and you will live in a guilty world. Personally, the second video demonstrated Roald Dahl theme statement more clear because it started off with Patrick betraying Mary, then leading Mary into killing him and finally she was guilty at the end after the whole tragic incident because all she wanted

Lamb To The Slaughter Irony

the story, “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl, irony plays a broad role in enhancing the impact of the story to make it more interesting. The title, “Lamb to the Slaughter” (p10) shows irony because the title indicates how when lambs are born, they are innocent and follow whatever their owner tells them to do and are slaughtered. Mrs. Maloney would be the Lamb whose heart is slaughtered by the news of her husband leaving her, but then she fights back and kills him with a leg of lamb which is ironic

The Lamb To The Slaughter Analysis

Authors use characterization to develop the actions of the characters. Like Mary’s actions in ‘The Lamb to the Slaughter’ by using different kinds of literature devices. Roald Dahl in "The Lamb to the Slaughter" uses characterization, imagery, and irony to develop the character of Mary so that the reader can understand what has occurred during the murder. Characterization shows the reader how Mary’s demeanor changes throughout the story. “...Do everything right and natural. Keep things absolutely

Lamb To The Slaughter Foreshadow

story Lamb to The Slaughter. The theme of this story is that looks can be deceiving. There are many details that lead to this theme. For instance, in the beginning of the story when Mary’s husband comes home and tells her he’s going to leave her, she acts like she is normally going to cook dinner. But when she brings the lamb leg from the freezer she hits him on the back of the head and kills him. This may foreshadow that Mary may use her innocence to deceive people. She then takes the lamb leg

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Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl Persuasive Essay - Prosecution/Defense

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Description

This Lamb to the Slaughter writing activity will get your students in high gear! After reading the short story by Roald Dahl, students write closing arguments for either Mrs. Maloney’s prosecution or defense. Since we all know she’s guilty, it’s all about citing evidence to support claims.

✅ Optional Speaking

Students LOVE this essay because they get to take on the persona of a lawyer. They talk about “my client” or “the defendant” and really ham things up for the judge. Even with the dramatic flair, they are still practicing citing textual evidence.

❤️ I love it when students want to give their essay as a speech. This option (and I always make it optional) is a great way to add some drama in ELA and give students space to practice public speaking.

Your Lamb to the Slaughter essay includes:

• Project Description & Brainstorming Worksheet – students collect textual evidence and decide how to “spin” it for the jury (.pdf and .doc)
• Rubric – Choose between analytic and holistic versions (.pdf & .doc)
• Printer-friendly versions - prints as a half-sheet with the rubric on the front and brainstorming on the back)
• Digital version (Google Slides)

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Other materials for teaching Short Stories:

"The Lady or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton Argumentative Essay

"The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs Mood Rewrite

Short Story (Adapted) Unit Test

Short Stories Unit for Interactive Notebooks

Short Story Unit Test Bundle - Honors, Standard, Adapted

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Lamb To The Slaughter Essays

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Lamb to The Slaughter — Main Themes in “Lamb to the Slaughter”

Main Themes in "Lamb to The Slaughter"

• Categories: Lamb to The Slaughter

About this sample

Words: 629 |

Published: Mar 6, 2024

Words: 629 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Gender roles, the fragility of appearances.

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Related Essays on Lamb to The Slaughter

Roald Dahl stands as a renowned British author, celebrated for his numerous novels and short stories. Among his compelling short stories lies the darkly humorous narrative, "Lamb to the Slaughter." This tale delves into the [...]

The Power of Irony: Analyze the role of irony in "Lamb to the Slaughter" and its impact on the story's development and reader's perception. Mary Maloney's Transformation: Explore how Mary Maloney's [...]

"Lamb to the Slaughter" is a captivating short story by Roald Dahl that delves into the unexpected transformation of the protagonist, Mary Maloney. The story revolves around Mary, a seemingly devoted housewife, who takes drastic [...]

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In Lamb to the slaughter written by Roald Dahl in 1953, the symbol lamb means meek, innocent and pure, also Victory of life and death. Both Mary and her husband Patrick take on the roles of figurative lambs as they the roles of [...]

How will Mary get away with murder? The author Roald Dahl uses a few literary elements to make this murder successful in his story. Suspense, and Plot. In the story Mary Maloney waits for her husband, Patrick Maloney, to come [...]

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Tell Tale Heart Vs Lamb To Slaughter Research Paper

Anyone could be a murderer, and there are two stories that can show this perfectly. The Tell-Tale Heart and Lamb To Slaughter are both stories that tell about horrible and horrific things, but one is a worse crime than the other. It is just a decision of which one is worse. The answer should be Tell-Tale Heart. The reasoning for this is the reason for the kill. In the Lamb To Slaughter, the reason for her killing was because the husband was being rude to his wife and hurting her very much emotionally, which sad to say is more of a common reason to do something like that. Now in the story The Tell-Tale Heart, the man killed the elder man simply because he did not like the way he looked, and that is a terrible reason to kill another human being. There are …show more content…

An example of this is when after she killed him she went to the store to get some food and talked with the store owner like she had no idea that when she came home he would be dead. (Roald 3) Then in the book The Tale-Tell Heart the man hides the body before letting the police into the old man's house. He then acts like the man has left on a trip. He then sits in a chair where the body is hiding and has a conversation with the cops as they sit down as well. Allen 83: This is one of many ways that these two stories are connected. Tale-Tale Heart has many similarities, but it also has many differences as well. We see these differences on many occasions, such as the reasoning for both kills, which we have talked about already. But there are many other differences as well, an example of this is of course the gender of both story characters. Another one that can be seen while reading is how they approached the situation. In the story The Tale-Tell Heart, the main character had spent nights just watching the old man planning on killing him, (Allen 78) while in the Lamb To The Slaughter she had killed him over something her husband had told

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