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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. How is Patrick said to travel in relation to Mary as he relates his story in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

2. One of the officers in the kitchen says of Patrick, “The doc says his skull was smashed all to pieces just like from a” what?

3. What does Mary attempt to do when Patrick tells her to “sit down” after he arrives home in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

4. Mary is said to be the wife of what after killing her husband?

5. What is Mary’s response when she sees Patrick’s body after returning from the store?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you characterize Mary’s mindset as she commits murder in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

2. What role does Sergeant Noonan play in the ultimate plot twist of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

3. What social and cultural elements influenced the Post-War period in Western literature?

4. How is Mary’s transformation metaphorically depicted in her descent into the cellar?

5. Whose point of view does the narrative of “Lamb to Slaughter” revolve around?

6. How would you compare the style of “Lamb to the Slaughter” to other horror short stories?

7. How would you characterize Sergeant Noonan’s behavior toward Mary in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

8. How is Mary’s discussion with Sam regarding “dessert” an example of verbal irony?

9. Where in the story does the denouement take place? What happens in the denouement?

10. What crucial information to the story is omitted? Why do you think the author omitted these details?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define “foreshadowing” in narrative literature and identify examples of foreshadowing in “Lamb to the Slaughter.” What actions, events, and descriptions in the opening pages of the story indicate that a murder will take place? What purpose does the foreshadowing serve in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss Mary’s response when she “discovers” Patrick’s body after returning from the store. Do you think that Mary’s emotions are legitimate or performed? In what ways does her behavior exhibit the qualities of performance? In what ways does her behavior seem to be legitimately driven by emotion?

Essay Topic 3

Define “black comedy” and discuss how black comedy applies to the story “Lamb to the Slaughter.” What elements in the story are funny? Why are they funny? Do you think the author intends for the reader to find the story humorous or frightening?

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