Irony
She loved 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 (2).
Situational Irony
Mary Maloney is six months pregnant.
Exposition
extremely happy
blissful
What does Mary enjoy most about time with her husband after work?
She likes his quiet presence.
Why does Mary insist that the officers eat dinner?
To destroy the murder weapon.
"If you're too tired to eat out," she went on, "it's still not too late. There's plenty of meat and stuff in the freezer, and you can have it right here and not even move out of the chair" (3).
Verbal Irony
Patrick tells Mary "the news."
Inciting Incident
turned from liquid to solid
congealed
How can Mary tell there is something wrong with her husband?
He drinks more than usual.
How does the detectives’ conversation with the grocer affect the outcome of the story?
The police no longer suspect Mary of murdering her husband.
She put the parcel down on the table and went through into the living room; and when she saw him lying there on the floor with his legs doubled up and one arm twisted back underneath his body, it really was rather a shock (6).
Dramatic Irony
Mary creates her alibi by putting the lamb in the oven and going to the grocery store.
Rising Action
on time, not late
punctual
What does Patrick reveal to Mary?
that he is leaving her
What type of narration is in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
Third Person Limited
“It'd be a favor to me if you'd eat it up. Then you can go on with your work again afterwards" (9).
Verbal Irony
The police officers eat the murder weapon.
Climax
strange, unusual
peculiar
Why does Mary go shopping?
She needs to hide her involvement in her husband’s murder/ To create an alibi
Which statement describes Mary’s motivation for covering up her crime?
She wants to protect her unborn child.
"Probably right under our very noses. What you think, Jack" (9)?
Dramatic Irony
Mary giggles
Resolution
to take great pleasure in, to indulge oneself
luxuriate
How does Mary react when coming home to her husband’s body?
She convinces herself to act normally.
“Her skin — for this was her sixth month with child — had acquired a wonderful translucent quality…” is an example of
Direct Characterization