The Landlady
Why does Billy enter the bed-and-breakfast?
He needs a place to stay in Bath.
What event sets the main action in motion?
Patrick tells Mary that he is leaving her.
BRISK: What does it mean?
Quick, energetic, or lively.
What is a theme of Lamb to the Slaughter?
Sometimes assumptions can lead people to overlook the truth.
What is dramatic irony?
The reader/audience knows something important that a character does not know.
What two names in the guestbook seem familiar to Billy?
Christopher Mulholland and Gregory W. Temple.
What does Mary use as the murder weapon?
A frozen leg of lamb.
SWANKY: What does it mean?
Stylish, impressive, or luxurious.
What is a theme of The Landlady?
Strangers can be more dangerous than they initially appear.
What is situational irony?
The outcome is different from what is expected.
What clues suggest that the previous guests did not really leave?
The landlady says they are still there; their names remain in the guestbook; and the stuffed animals/tea provide sinister clues.
Why does Mary go to the grocery store after the murder?
To create the appearance that she was out shopping and knew nothing about the murder.
CONGENIAL: What does it mean?
Pleasant, friendly, or agreeable.
What does 'theme' mean?
A message or lesson about life that a text communicates.
What is verbal irony?
A character says something that means something different from, or contrasts with, the literal words.
Why does Billy initially trust the landlady?
She appears kind, friendly, generous, and harmless.
How do the detectives contribute to the ironic ending?
They unknowingly eat the murder weapon while discussing how to find it.
RAPACIOUS: What does it mean?
Greedy; aggressively wanting more.
What common idea connects both stories?
People can be misled by appearances or assumptions.
What is an example of dramatic irony in Lamb to the Slaughter?
Readers know the leg of lamb is the murder weapon, but the detectives do not.
What is the strongest clue near the end that the landlady is dangerous?
The tea tastes of bitter almonds, and she says the previous guests are still there; the bitter-almond clue suggests poison.
How does Mary manipulate the police throughout the story?
By playing dumb and acting like a doting housewife.
DITHERING: What does it mean?
Hesitating or being unable to make a decision.
Explain how appearances affect BOTH stories.
Mary appears like a grieving, harmless wife while hiding the truth; the landlady appears kind and harmless while hiding a sinister truth.
What is an example of situational irony in The Landlady?
Billy expects a safe, welcoming place to stay, but the seemingly friendly landlady is dangerous.