Lamb of Slaughter analysis

An analysis of Roald Dahl’s short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” reveals Roald Dahl's work explores tensions inherent within marriage and divorce. The story depicts a tale of a loyal wife’s reaction to her husband’s betrayal. Throughout, the story you follow the abnormal day in Mary Maloney’s very wonted life. She makes the day abnormal by murdering her husband and shrewdly covering it up, without leaving a trace of evidence. In the short story, we are taught that we should treat others how we want to be treated or serious consequences will follow. The author uses extensive use of irony, character and symbols as his primary elements of choice when writing this short story.

Irony is portrayed through Mary Maloney’s actions. She went to the store after she killed her husband; she acted as if nothing happened and gave the grocery clerk the idea that everything was fine. “Perfect she said he will love it” saying this gave Sam the impression that Mr. Maloney is still alive. This was considered irony because the reader knows more about what takes place then some of the characters in the story. The clerk thinks Mr. Maloney is at home waiting for dinner, but really he is lying down dead and he clerk is speaking to his killer, his wife. Another example of Irony is when the police officer are eating the leg of the lamb and one says “Probably right under our noses”. This is irony because the evidence to solve the case is being eaten and they don’t even know of it also it is actually right under these noses because there eating the lamb. Mary Maloney carefully arranges her story in order not to throw suspicion on her. This is why you also treat people the way you want to be treated because irony can always come back on you.
Ronald Dahl used characterization a very important component in the story that develops the protagonist both directly and indirectly. Nevertheless, the use of indirect characterization is more leading because it reveals her actions and how she