Lamb to the Slaughter Plot
Lamb to the Slaughter Irony
Isn't it ironic?
Potpourri
100
We can reasonably infer based on Mary's routine of waiting for her husband that she is likely...(what does she likely do as a job, and how does she feel about it?)
A housewife who anxiously awaits her husband to come home.
100
What is ironic about Patrick's job and what happens to him?
He is a police detective. His job is to investigate crimes, yet he is murdered himself by his own wife.
100
What is the definition of situational irony? Please provide an example.
When the direct opposite of what we expect occurs.
Examples vary...(a police officer gets arrested, an ELA teacher who can't read, etc.)
100
When Mary looks at the clock, it's 10 minutes to 5:00 p.m. Why is this time important to Mary?
This is the time Patrick, her husband, comes home every day. He is never late and is very punctual.
200
What is Mary's husband's name, and what does he do for a living?
Patrick Maloney--Police Detective.
200
Which irony is this? "Patrick!" she called. "How are you, darling?"
Verbal Irony
200
What kind of irony is this? When the person says the opposite of what they mean.
Verbal Irony!
200
What evidence in the text tells us that Patrick was selfish?
Patrick tells her that he hopes she will not make a fuss because it would not be good for his job.
300
Patrick knows it's a bad time to be telling her. What does the reader infer he tells Mary, and why is it a "bad time"?
He tells her he wants a divorce--it's a bad time because she's six months pregnant.
300
Which irony is this? "Her husband, he told her, had been killed by a blow on the back of the head administered with a heavy blunt instrument, almost certainly a large piece of metal."
Dramatic Irony
300
What is dramatic irony? Provide an example!
When the audience knows something that the characters do not.
Many answers are possible. One example: In Jaws, WE KNOW the woman is going to die while swimming because of the shark, but she has no idea.
300
How is Patrick's job an advantage for Mary?
She knows more about hiding crimes. Other similar answers are possible!
400
Why does Mrs. Maloney go to see Sam?
She needs someone such as Sam to be a witness that she was out of the house when the murder was committed--an alibi.
400
Which irony is this? "Probably right under our very noses. What do you think, Jack?"
Dramatic Irony
400
Identify the type of irony (situational, dramatic, and verb) and explain WHY it is ironic.
This is situational irony. We would reasonably expect a psychic to be able to predict what would happen in the future, so for this person to not be able to "foresee" a problem is the opposite of what we expect.
400
Patrick's job is a disadvantage for Mary because...
The police will work extra hard to solve the crime. Other similar answers will be accepted.
500
When Mr. Maloney says, "But there needn’t really be any fuss. I hope not anyway. It wouldn’t be very good for my job," he is showing concern for...
Choices:
His Marriage, His Personal Reputation, or Mary Malone
His own personal reputation.
500
Ironically, this question isn't about irony. :)
How does Mary likely get away with the murder? (Name all the reasons!)
Most importantly, she cons the police detectives into "eating" away the murder weapon. She knows the system well as her husband was a police detective, and thus has the right "acquaintances" with the precinct (police department). In addition, she has formed an alibi with Sam the Grocer.
500
Identify the type of irony (situational, dramatic, and verb) and explain WHY it is ironic.
This is verbal irony because the gentleman in the photo does not feel "lucky" that his car got into an accident. He likely feels UNLUCKY. He is saying the opposite of what he means.
500
What is Mrs. Maloney’s motive for going to get the lamb from the freezer?
She thinks she should go about her business as usual and then things will be all right. It's a form of denial at this stage.