"Lamb to the Slaughter"
When Patrick comes home, how can Mary tell that there is something wrong with him? What does he reveal to her after he refuses to eat dinner?
He's drinking more and faster than usual. He reveals that he plans on leaving her.
What does Montresor plan to do to Fortunato and WHY is he doing this?
He plans to chain up Fortunato in the deepest part of his family catacombs and leave him there to die. He will do this to seek revenge on Fortunato, who insulted him.
How does Madame Loisel feel about her life (at the beginning of the story)? How does Monsieur Loisel (her husband) feel about his life (at the beginning of the story)?
She feels dissatisfied. She feels like she deserves and was meant to live a life of luxury. She is bitter that her life is not luxurious or extravagant.
He is happy with his life; he feels fulfilled, even though he and his wife do not have a lot of material wealth or possessions.
What do we learn about Jim and Della at the beginning of the story?
-They're poor
-They don't know how they'll pay for the other's Christmas gift
-They live in a rundown apartment ("flat")
-They're married
Which of the following elements represent SETTING?
-Plot and conflict
-Internal and external conflict
-Time and location
-Character and plot
-Time and Location
After killing her husband, what does Mary do when she sits in front of the mirror?
She fixes her hair and makeup and practices making her voice normal so she can create her alibi.
How does Montresor trick Fortunato into coming into the vaults (catacombs)?
He takes advantage of Fortunato’s self pride in fine wines. He also tries to convince Fortunato to turn back so that the dampness of the vaults doesn’t worsen Fortunato’s cold.
How do you know that Monsieur Loisel cares about his wife’s happiness?
He brings home an invitation to a fancy ball because he knows that it means a lot to her.
What are the two most prized possessions of the Dillingham Youngs?
For Della it was her hair, and for Jim it was his golden watch.
Which literary element best matches this definition?
-An underlying message about life or human nature that the author wants the reader to infer.
Theme
Why does Mary go to the grocery store?
To create her alibi… so she can tell the grocer that she is getting food to make him dinner and then when she goes home, she will “discover” the body.
What is Montresor’s family motto/coat of arms? *Why is this symbolic of his character?
“No one hurts me and gets away with it.” It is a foot crushing a snake.
Montresor’s pride has been injured due to Fortunato’s insults. It shows that he is carrying out his family motto.
Why is the borrowed necklace so important to Madame Loisel?
It gives her the illusion of wealth and makes her finally feel happy, like she is living a life that she deserves.
What sacrifice does Della make in order to buy Jim a present? What does she buy him?
She cuts off her long hair, and buys him a fob chain for his watch.
What is the correct order of the five elements of plot?
Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution
How does Detective Noonan’s comment about the murder weapon (“It’s the old story…get the weapon, and you’ve got the man!”) affect Mary’s actions?
It causes her to find a way to get rid of the murder weapon - she cooks the lamb and invites the officers to eat it.
What happens to indicate that Montresor may have had a moment of regret as he buried Fortunato?
He said that for a moment his “heart grew sick”, but then he blamed it on the dampness of the catacombs.
What do the Loisels end up doing about the lost necklace?
They borrow money from lenders and buy a replacement one. They spend 10 years paying back the loan and interest accumulation.
What does Jim sacrifice for Della? What does he buy for her?
He sells his golden watch, and he buys her jewel encrusted combs for her hair.
What are PROBLEMS in a story called?
Conflict
How does the detectives’ conversation with the grocer affect the outcome of the story?
Since the grocer confirms his interaction with Mary, the detectives do not suspect her of being guilty/involved.
What happens at the end of the story?
Montresor chooses to follow through with his act. Fortunato dies, as Montresor says that no one has gone into the catacombs for 50 years.
In what way(s) does Mathilde change by the end of the story?
She has become poorer than when the story started She has to work multiple jobs and they had to give up their apartment just to be able to pay back the loan.
What literary element does this story showcase?
Irony
What does the acronym STEAL stand for? What kind of characterization does this help us with?
Says, Thinks, Effect on others, Actions, Looks
Indirect Characterization