illustrated tablesetting with a plate containing a large lamb-leg roast resting on a puddle of blood

Lamb to the Slaughter

by Roald Dahl

Start Free Trial

Lamb to the Slaughter Questions on Foreshadowing

Lamb to the Slaughter Study Tools

Take a quiz Ask a question Start an essay

Lamb to the Slaughter

In "Lamb to the Slaughter," Roald Dahl utilizes various literary devices, including irony, foreshadowing, metaphor, and imagery, to enhance the story's depth and engage readers. Situational and...

17 educator answers

Lamb to the Slaughter

In "Lamb to the Slaughter," Roald Dahl creates and maintains suspense through unexpected plot twists, such as Mary Maloney's sudden murder of her husband and the subsequent cover-up. The tension is...

8 educator answers

Lamb to the Slaughter

The sentence about Mary Maloney's "slow smiling air" highlights her happiness and contentment, largely due to her pregnancy. This "glow" is often associated with expectant mothers, reflecting a...

2 educator answers

Lamb to the Slaughter

In "Lamb to the Slaughter," foreshadowing occurs when Patrick gets home and does things he normally doesn't do.

1 educator answer

Lamb to the Slaughter

Even though the police have the murder weapon, they can't link it to Mary when they have no idea she committed the crime.

2 educator answers

Lamb to the Slaughter

Mary Maloney asks Sam about cooking the lamb frozen to create an alibi and ensure the leg of lamb is thawed and cooked when the police arrive. She needs to account for the thawing time in the oven...

1 educator answer

Lamb to the Slaughter

In "Lamb to the Slaughter," food and drinks are crucial for suspense, foreshadowing, and plot development. Initially, Mary's preparation of drinks shows her devotion to her husband. His unusual heavy...

1 educator answer

Lamb to the Slaughter

The incident is triggered when Patrick announces his departure, abruptly telling Mary he wants a divorce. This revelation shocks Mary, who feels betrayed after her devoted efforts to maintain the...

1 educator answer