Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl- Summary and Analysis

Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl- Summary                 Satavahana/TU/PU/KU/OU  Telangana university- English Literature & Twentieth century-II. Sem 2. Course 10                 MA Semester 2.PAPER III- FICTION                          UNIT V. Short stories. englishlanguage-lit.blogspot.com SRR Govt.Arts& Science College Karimnagar

Roald Dahl is not only famous for children fiction but also for adult suspense thrilling short stories. Lamb to the slaughter is a twisty short story of a devoted housewife of a detective, who kills her husband instantly, hitting with a big frozen leg of lamb.

 Lamb is a symbol of innocence, submissiveness, meekness and it represents Jesus Christ in Christianity. Lamb, unknown of impending danger, innocently follows his master when he takes it to the slaughter.  Mary Maloney is portrayed as caring and submissive wife in the story. Both wife and husband  symbolises lamb as they don't know consequences. Patrick Maloney is killed by wife for his decision to divorce her.  Patrick never imagines this slaughter,as his wife is meek.  Mary also doesn't know the consequences and future of unborn child after murdering her husband.

 Mary is six months pregnant, does domestic chores perfectly, every day waits eagerly for her husband to return home from work. Everyday evening, they both sit together and have drinks and it is wonderful time of day to her.   Mary slightly feels sick after hearing his harsh words. While he is going out, she goes to the kitchen, takes out a big frozen leg of lamb out of the freezer and hits hard on the back of Patrick's head. He collapses instantly on the floor within seconds. Mary realizes her inhuman act and contemplates about her unborn baby’s future. To save herself from the ghastly crime, she hatches a plan meticulously. As part of the plan, she goes to visit grocery shop and comes back home. As soon as she returns, she sees the motionless body of Patrick and bursts into tears. Then she calls the police. Immediately, two policemen and a doctor rush to the crime spot and begin investigation. They feel that weapon is crucial evidence to catch the murderer. Mary begs policemen to have supper as it is nearly 9 o'clock. They initially refuse but later on they yield to her repeated requests. Mary serves a big frozen leg of lamb to the police, which is taken out of the oven and eagerly awaits outside of the door to listen to their conversation. She giggles listening to the words spoken by a policeman to Jack, another policeman,regarding the weapon, that, probably it would be right under their nose.

 Usually a submissive woman  begs her husband not to  abandon her in this juncture as she is carrying a baby.She doesn't cry or  curses him for divorcing. she stays quiet and peaceful.

In the story the author doesn't clearly mention the reason for killing Patrick but reader can understand  from their conversation that .the reason is divorce.

 Dramatic Irony is that the readers know whereabouts of the weapon but the characters don't know though it is  right under  their nose. Twist in the story is that submissive wife kills her husband in a fit of rage and  escapes  the punishment cleverly by spoiling the evidence permanently.

watch film on youtube https://youtu.be/zAPw-uFhqjA

S. RajeshKumarenglishlanguage-lit.blogspot.com