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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. Of the murder weapon, one of the policemen in the kitchen says that it is probably where?

2. Who is the protagonist of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

3. How many policemen are left in Mary’s house after they’ve all had drinks?

4. When Mary leaves the store, she tells herself that she’s returning home to do what?

5. How does Mary reenter her home after going to the store?

Short Essay Questions

1. How can the influence of television culture be seen in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

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

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

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

5. How does the author establish and develop tension through using sound in the beginning of the story?

6. How did “Lamb to Slaughter” fit in with the popular fiction of the era when it was published?

7. What symbolism surrounds the murder weapon in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

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

9. What can be seen as ironic in Mary’s ability to evade suspicion and prosecution in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

10. How is the concept of identity as seen in popular psychology depicted through the character of Mary in the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The climax of the story could be said to be when Mary kills Patrick. What indications show that this might be the case? What indications show that the climax happens elsewhere in the story? What risks does Mary face by calling the police? How are her actions justified?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the character of Sam in the story. What role does Sam play in Mary’s plot? How important is Sam’s character to the narrative? How frequently do you think Mary sees Sam? Is he a good witness as to her character?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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