Student Essay on "Lamb to the Slaughter"

"Lamb to the Slaughter"

Essay

Throughout the story there are a few examples of dramatic irony. One example is when Mary Maloney went to the store after she killed her husband; she acted as if nothing happened and gave the grocery store clerk the idea that everything was fine. This is considered dramatic irony because the reader knows more about whats taken place than some of the characters in the story. The clerk thinks Mr. Maloney is at home waiting for dinner, but we know he is dead.

Another example is when the policemen are eating the leg of lamb and one says "Probably right under our very noses." This is dramatic irony because the weapon used to kill Mr. Maloney really is right under their noses. Yet they just keep eating assuming the leg of lamb could never be a weapon, while Mary Maloney is giggling in the other room. These examples were the most noticeable signs of dramatic irony.