Plots & Characters
Who is the main character of the story?
Mary Maloney
What does the frozen leg of lamb symbolize?
Violence hidden in something ordinary / domesticity turned deadly
Who says: “I’ll get the supper.”
Mary Maloney — right after killing Patrick, acting normal
What shocking thing does Mary do to her husband?
She kills him with a frozen leg of lamb
How does the story explore the theme of betrayal?
Patrick betrays Mary by leaving her; Mary betrays him by killing him.
What does Patrick tell Mary before she kills him?
That he is leaving her / ending the marriage
Why does Mary go to the grocery store after the crime?
To create an alibi and appear innocent
Why is the title Lamb to the Slaughter ironic?
Mary is “the lamb” who turns violent, OR Patrick is the lamb killed unexpectedly
Why is it ironic when the detectives say: “It’s probably right under our noses.”
Because the leg of lamb — the murder weapon — is literally under their noses as they eat it
What happens to the murder weapon at the end?
The police eat the leg of lamb
What theme is shown when the detectives eat the leg of lamb?
Blindness of authority; justice failing; dramatic irony
How does Mary convince the grocer she is innocent?
She acts calm and casual, talking about making dinner for her husband