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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 the drink that Mary mixes for Patrick described after he arrives home in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

2. What happens to the murder weapon in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

3. Before Mary commits the crime of murder, she exhibits the qualities of what archetype or stereotype in the story?

4. Where in “Lamb to the Slaughter” does the rising action take place?

5. What does Mary say when the police pick up after she calls them?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the motivation for the crime committed in “Lamb to Slaughter”? How is this motivation established in the beginning of the story?

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

3. After the murder has been committed, what is Mary’s central objective in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

4. At what point in the story is Mary’s sense of identity shattered? What does she do to regain her sense of identity?

5. What is the central example of dramatic irony in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

6. What appear to be Patrick’s motivations and desires in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

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

8. What is foreshadowed by Patrick’s action of downing of his drink in the story?

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

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

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 author’s development of suspense and tension in the rising action of “Lamb to the Slaughter.” What are the main risks that the protagonist faces in the story? How are these risks compounded in the rising action? How does Mary deal with them?

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?

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This section contains 922 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample