An Important Element in Lamb to the Slaughter
The world is full of various events, and there is no doubt that some of these events may lead to life altering decisions. In “Lamb to the Slaughter,”Mary Maloney, a content wife, finds out her husband is unhappy in their marriage and wants a divorce. When Mr. Maloney is quick to leave, Mary whacks her husband across the back of his head with the lamb she had prepared to construct dinner with. Eventually, Mr. Maloney’s decision to leave his wife causes his wife’s ultimate decision to choose murder as the solution, using a frozen leg of lamb as her weapon. Crazily, Mary now has to deal with the guilt of killing her “loving” husband and father of their unborn child. Having said that, it is truly fascinating how certain events could take such a great toll on human emotions. Beyond taking a toll on human emotions, the main character, Mary Maloney, weaves around an everyday event that suddenly takes a more frightening aspect, revealing the danger and uncertainty that underlies the modern life of this domestic housewife figure she seems to be.
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“Two table lamps alight- hers and the one by the empty chair opposite. Behind her, two tall glasses, soda water, whisky. Fresh ice cubes in the thermos bucket. Mary was waiting for her husband “(page 36). Ingeniously, the author gives us a first impression of Mary, the love for her husband, and this domestic way of life that many households withhold. Willing to make this extra effort to make her husband feel as comfortable as possible gives Mrs. Maloney this perfect wife feel to her character. Behind the mind of a murderer once stood a woman who gave everything she could to benefit the father of her unborn child, who was the love of her