"Seventh Grade"
The SETTING of the story
A middle school in Fresno, California
The RESOLUTION of the story
Both friends/boxers walk away with their arms around each other and neither was claimed the winner
The reason why Mr. Nuttel is visiting Vera & Mrs. Sappleton
Because he is dealing with mental issues and his sister sent him to visit some people she knew, hoping this will calm his nerves a bit.
The reason Billy thinks the Landlady is harmless
She is very kind and welcoming
How Mary feels about her husband at the beginning of the story.
She loves him dearly.
The reason why Victor wants to take French class
Teresa is also taking the class
* He also wants to travel to France, where the weather is cooler.
One thing Laurie did wrong on the first day he came home for lunch.
1. Slammed the door when he came home
2. Was disrespectful to his father
3. Spilled his sister's milk
The reason, according to Vera, for the window being left open
Because Mrs. Sappleton thinks her husband and brothers will return home one day.
The major CONFLICT(s) of the story
1. Billy is looking for a place to stay.
2. Billy realizes something about the 2 names in the guest book, but when he starts to mention this, he is interrupted by the Landlady.
3. The Landlady is looking for another victim.
4. Billy realizes he's been poisoned but he he is doomed.
The IRONY in Patrick's profession/job
He was a police officer/detective. These people are responsible for investigating deaths or incidents involving crime.
(DAILY DOUBLE)
One of Victor's INTERNAL CONFLICTS
1. He is trying to impress Teresa to know French.
2. He is frustrated that he lies about knowing French, when in fact he doesn't.
Similarities between the friends in the story
1. Both are 17
2. Both love boxing and are good at it
3. Both live in the same apartment in New York
4. Both want to win the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament
5. Both agree they need to separate from each other until the fight.
The cause for Mr. Nuttle's quick departure from the house
He sees the men and dog approaching the house, which freaks him out since he was told they have not been seen in several years.
An example of FORESHADOWING in the story
1. The Landlady opening the door very quickly
2. The Landlady looking at Billy up and down and smiling at him
3. The Landlady reminding him to drink his tea multiple times
4. The Landlady cutting Billy off when he starts to talk about the names in the guest list
5. Billy finding out the pets were stuffed and not real
The reason why Mary was laughing at the end of the story
She was watching while the detectives ate the evidence.
The POINT OF VIEW of this story
Third Person
The location of the fight
Tompkins Square Park (or a park)
Vera's explanation for Mr. Nuttel's quick departure
She tells another story or lie. She said he was afraid of dogs because of a terrifying experience in a cemetery.
An example of IRONY in the story
1. When the Landlady shows Billy his bed and says "It is all ready for you."
2. The Landlady is super sweet and Billy would have never thought she would poison him.
3. Billy thinks the pets are alive, but later finds out they are dead/stuffed.
The reason the title of the story "Lamb to the Slaughter" is a DOUBLE ENTENDRE (A statement with two different interpretations or meanings)
1) Billy was being "led to his death" by his wife, due to his cheating
2) Billy was killed by a leg of lamb
The CLIMAX of this story
When Victor attempts to speak French in class
The significance of the teacher's statement, "We don't have any Charles in the kindergarten."
Laurie is Charles. Charles is Laurie's alter ego.
(DAILY DOUBLE)
The reason why Vera's "practical joke" seems at first to be clever and amusing, but in the end, is rather cruel
Because considering Mr. Nuttel's nervous/mental condition, Vera could be considered mean for disregarding his health issues.
The name of the hotel Billy was told to stay at
The Bell and Dragon
The following statement is LITERAL or FIGURATIVE & why.
"The weapon is probably right under our noses."
Literal - the murder weapon was literally right under their noses (or in their bellies!)