Roald Dahl's Dark Tale: Lamb to the Slaughter
“Lamb to the Slaughter”
This is only a guide to help you
understand the story.
Who is the author?
Roald Dahl
For what else is Roald Dahl known?
For what else is Roald Dahl known?
James & the Giant Peach
James & the Giant Peach
(1961)
(1961)
Charlie & the Choc. Factory
Charlie & the Choc. Factory
(1964)
(1964)
Screenplay for Fleming’s James Bond
Screenplay for Fleming’s James Bond
novel
novel
You Only Live Twice
You Only Live Twice
(1967).
(1967).
She is anxiously awaiting her
husband Patrick’s return home
from a day’s work as a local
police officer.
What is Mary Maloney doing
What is Mary Maloney doing
when the story begins?
when the story begins?
He is preoccupied and
appears to be
aggravated at
something. He responds
to her questions in an
irritated, matter-of-fact
manner.
What is Patrick Maloney’s
What is Patrick Maloney’s
reaction to his wife’s attentative
reaction to his wife’s attentative
behavior when he gets home?
behavior when he gets home?
He is leaving her.
What can we assume that Mr.
What can we assume that Mr.
Maloney tells his wife?
Maloney tells his wife?
She is in such disbelief
that she pretends that
he didn’t speak at all
and says that she will
start making dinner.
What is her initial reaction to the
What is her initial reaction to the
news?
news?
She goes to the
basement and gets
a frozen leg of
lamb to put in the
oven.
What does she decide to cook?
What does she decide to cook?
She hits her
husband over the
head and kills him.
When Mrs. Maloney returns
When Mrs. Maloney returns
upstairs with the frozen meat, what
upstairs with the frozen meat, what
does she do?
does she do?
She is most
concerned about
her unborn child.
At this point after the murder, what
At this point after the murder, what
is her primary concern?
is her primary concern?
She places the meat
in a pan and puts it in
the oven.
She then primps in
the mirror and goes to
the grocery story.
How does Mrs. Maloney establish
How does Mrs. Maloney establish
an alibi?
an alibi?
In your opinion, when Mrs. Maloney
In your opinion, when Mrs. Maloney
returns home and “finds” her husband
returns home and “finds” her husband
dead on the floor, are her tears real?
dead on the floor, are her tears real?
No. One might say she rehearsed the whole
act on the way home from the store.
Yes. One might say that Dahl writes, “All the
old love and longing for him welled up inside
her, and she ran over to him, knelt down
beside him, and began to cry her heart out. It
was easy. No acting was necessary.”
She lies about the murder.
She pretends to be sick so she doesn’t have
to get up and leave the room.
She offers them alcohol to make them feel
relaxed.
She uses her husband’s friendships with the
officers to her advantage.
How does Mrs. Maloney manipulate the
How does Mrs. Maloney manipulate the
police?
police?
She asks the police
officers for a “favor” - she
invites them, the friends
and co-workers of
Patrick, to eat the dinner
that she was cooking –
leg of lamb!
What is the most important aspect of
What is the most important aspect of
Mrs. Maloney’s manipulation.
Mrs. Maloney’s manipulation.
ABSOLUTELY!
The police officers eat the
only piece of evidence!
Does Mrs. Maloney get away with
Does Mrs. Maloney get away with
murder?
murder?
A guide through Roald Dahl's twisted narrative in "Lamb to the Slaughter," where Mary Maloney, a seemingly devoted wife, commits a shocking act of violence against her husband after he drops a life-changing bombshell. As the story unfolds, Mary's unexpected actions and clever cover-up lead to a gripping tale of deception and desperation, showcasing Dahl's masterful storytelling skills.
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Presentation Transcript
Lamb to the Slaughter This is only a guide to help you understand the story.
Who is the author? Roald Dahl For what else is Roald Dahl known? James & the Giant Peach (1961) Charlie & the Choc. Factory (1964) Screenplay for Fleming s James Bond novel You Only Live Twice (1967).
What is Mary Maloney doing when the story begins? She is anxiously awaiting her husband Patrick s return home from a day s work as a local police officer.
What is Patrick Maloneys reaction to his wife s attentative behavior when he gets home? He is preoccupied and appears to be aggravated at something. He responds to her questions in an irritated, matter-of-fact manner.
What can we assume that Mr. Maloney tells his wife? He is leaving her.
What is her initial reaction to the news? She is in such disbelief that she pretends that he didn t speak at all and says that she will start making dinner.
What does she decide to cook? She goes to the basement and gets a frozen leg of lamb to put in the oven.
When Mrs. Maloney returns upstairs with the frozen meat, what does she do? She hits her husband over the head and kills him.
At this point after the murder, what is her primary concern? She is most concerned about her unborn child.
How does Mrs. Maloney establish an alibi? She places the meat in a pan and puts it in the oven. She then primps in the mirror and goes to the grocery story.
In your opinion, when Mrs. Maloney returns home and finds her husband dead on the floor, are her tears real? No. One might say she rehearsed the whole act on the way home from the store. Yes. One might say that Dahl writes, All the old love and longing for him welled up inside her, and she ran over to him, knelt down beside him, and began to cry her heart out. It was easy. No acting was necessary.
How does Mrs. Maloney manipulate the police? She lies about the murder. She pretends to be sick so she doesn t have to get up and leave the room. She offers them alcohol to make them feel relaxed. She uses her husband s friendships with the officers to her advantage.
What is the most important aspect of Mrs. Maloney s manipulation. She asks the police officers for a favor - she invites them, the friends and co-workers of Patrick, to eat the dinner that she was cooking leg of lamb!
Does Mrs. Maloney get away with murder? ABSOLUTELY! The police officers eat the only piece of evidence!
