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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Mary tells the police detectives that the meat for Patrick’s dinner is where when they question her?

2. As Patrick begins to talk to Mary, the lamplight leaves what aspects of his face in shadow?

3. “Lamb to the Slaughter” was written and is presumably set in what era?

4. What does Mary resume doing after Patrick arrives home in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

5. What is the “small favor” that Mary asks of Sergeant Noonan and the other officers?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where in the story does the exposition take place? What important information is revealed through the exposition?

2. How is the theme of passivity in “Lamb to the Slaughter” illustrated through Mary’s character?

3. What do you think the outcome will be for Mary based on the ending of the story?

4. How does the author portray women and men differently in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

5. What differences can be seen between the 1950s society in the short story and society today?

6. How does Patrick Maloney feel about his wife Mary in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

7. How is the setting described in the first paragraph of “Lamb to Slaughter”? What items are described in the room?

8. Who is Sam? What role does he play in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

9. How is the character of Patrick Maloney described in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

10. What conversation between Mary and Sergeant Noonan leads to the destruction of the evidence in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define situational, verbal, and dramatic irony and discuss examples of each in the narrative. How is Mary’s conversation with Sam the grocer ironic? Is this an example of dramatic or verbal irony? What type of irony is illustrated in the end of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Compare the reality of Patrick’s behavior to the depiction of Patrick as seen through Mary’s eyes in the narrative. Where in the story does the reader witness first-hand “that warm male glow that came out of him to her when they were alone together”? How far from reality is this imagery?

Essay Topic 3

Plot Structure

a. Discuss the plot structure of “Lamb to the Slaughter.” In what ways is the narrative related and what effect does this have on the reader?

b. How does “Lamb to the Slaughter” compare with other short stories written during this time period? Are there specific stylistic elements that can be seen in Dahl’s writing?

(see the answer keys)

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