Roald Dahl's Lamb To The Slaughter

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The story “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl demonstrates the idea of how one must never neglect the true nature of a person or situation and allow preconceived notions to void one's judgements. In the beginning of the story, one can describe Mary Maloney, wife of Patrick Maloney, as an innocent, pregnant housewife, who dearly loves her husband. As Patrick arrives home from work, Mary Maloney takes his coat, and prepares the drinks. As they sit down, Mary states that, “She loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man, and to feel-almost as a sunbather feels the sun-that warm male glow that came out of him to her when they were alone together” (Dahl 1). The way that Mary Maloney uses diction such as luxuriate, the simile of a sunbather in the sun, and the way she describes Patrick, illustrates how devoted, and almost obsessive she is towards Patrick. …show more content…
Furthermore, Patrick apprises Mary that he will be going out alone for supper, and does not need her cooking, “At that point, Mary Maloney simply walked up behind him and without any pause she swung the big frozen leg of lamb high in the air and brought it down as hard as she could on the back of his head. She might as just well have hit him with a steel club” (3). The carelessness that Mary instantly exhibits towards Patrick, shows how deceiving first appearances can be. The use of the metaphor of the steel club demonstrates the force with which Mary uses the lamb leg in order to release her anger on Patrick. This highlights that Mary, thought to be a benevolent housewife, is no longer what one would think her to be. Mary Maloney demonstrates losing her innocence in her attempt to keep her child, and herself safe, by creating an alibi and calling the