Lamb To The Slaughter Mary Doloney Character Analysis

In the short story, “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl, the protagonist Mary Maloney proves that people shouldn't judge someone due to their physical appearances because looks can be deceiving. To begin, Mary’s persuasive appearance and personality allow her to create fake grief and innocence. As a result, she persuades the detectives into complying whatever she wants them to do, which availed her to get away with murder. Mary does this by, creating the character of a sweet, pregnant wife whose husband has just been murdered; “Please, she begged. Please eat it. Personally, I couldn’t touch a thing certainly after what's been in the house when he was here. But it’s all right for you. It’d be a favour to me if you’d eat it up. Then go with

In addition, Mary is a very sneaky protagonist, who knows exactly what she requires to do, in order to cover her tracks. Therefore, Mary takes many precautions in creating an impeccable alibi for herself, which allowed her to get away with murder; “She sat down before the mirror, tied her hair, touched up her lips and face. She tried a smile. It came out rather peculiar. She tried again. (Dahl, 5) Mary decides to act as normally as possible to cover up for her murder, she practices in the mirror a normal conversation with her grocer, so she doesn’t look suspicious or agitated. To add, Mary is the perfect housewife who would reach many heights to please her husband, Patrick. Therefore, Patrick’s divorce caused her to suffer from shock and commit a crime she didn’t intentionally create; “All the old love, 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 (Dahl 6). Her tears symbolize her love and affection towards her husband. It implies that Mary feels guilty for her husband’s murder. She committed this murder through a heat of passion caused by a sudden