The Story ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ by Roald Dahl

Explore the ways in which the writers build up sympathy for both Mary and Dora in the stories ‘Lamb to the slaughter’ and ‘Hey you down there’. In the story ‘Lamb to the slaughter’ by Roald Dahl, Mary Maloney is an ideal, dedicated, very caring and a loving wife whose world simply revolves around her husband, Patrick. Her only concern and desire in life is to keep her husband happy. She is madly in love with him. The story begins with Mary eagerly waiting for her husband. As usual she has taken every care to clean the house and keep the room ready, taking extra care like having the curtains drawn, the two table lamps alight one for her and the other for her husband next to where he will be seated, two tall glasses, whisky and even fresh ice cubes in the thermos basket. Every now and then she glances up at the clock just to please herself with the thought that each minute has gone by which made it nearer the time when her husband will arrive. This shows that she is pleased and happy even while waiting for her husband, Patrick. Finally at ten minutes to five as she begins to listen, a few moments later punctually as always she hears the tyres on the gravel outside and the car slamming, the footsteps passing the window and the key turning in the lock. She lays aside her sewing, stands up to greet her husband who has just arrived. She moves forward to kiss him. They both exchange hellos. She takes his coat and hangs it in the closet. She makes drinks for both of them, a strong one for him and a weak one for herself. For her this is always a blissful time of the day as she knows that he never likes to speak much until the first drink is finished, she takes extra care about it and is content to sit quietly on her side, enjoying his company after the long hours alone in the house. She loves to luxuriate in the presence of this man and to feel almost as a sunbather feels the sun, that warm male glow that came out of him to her when they were alone together. She loves