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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 many notes does the police detective have when he returns from checking Mary’s alibi at the store?

2. Where was “Lamb to the Slaughter” first published?

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

4. As the search goes on, Mary knows that there are other policemen searching where?

5. How are Mary’s actions described when she kills her husband?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What central injustices mark the narrative of “Lamb to Slaughter”?

8. Why do you think the author chooses not to detail Patrick’s story to the reader?

9. Why does Mary giggle at the end of “Lamb to Slaughter”?

10. How do Mary’s actions after the murder resemble those of an actor preparing for a role?

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 the setting of “Lamb to the Slaughter” and the time period in which the short story was published. What literary movements took hold in America and Europe during the Post-War period? What qualities defined these movements? How is the setting of the 1950s evident in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of betrayal in “Lamb to the Slaughter.” How is this theme illustrated through the actions of Mary and of Patrick? What symbolism does the author use to reinforce this theme? How does betrayal relate to the other prominent themes in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 888 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample