Is it a mystery or suspense? When is the suspense introduced?How is it resolved?Did the author include any red herrings?Is the story an example of poetic justice?
The short story "Lamb to Slaughter" by Roald Dahl is a suspense. In the beginning of the story Mrs. Maloney seems to be a loving and doting housewife who is in love with her husband. She leads everyone to believe that she is a good wife. The suspence is intrduced when her husband comes home from work and she makes him comfortable. Mr. Maloney seems uneasy even though they participate in their everyday routine. Mrs. Maloney goes to get a lamb leg for supper and Mr. Maloney gets upset and says he is going out. The tension slowly builds until she bashes him over the head with the leg of lamb. The suspence is resolved when she calls the police over and cooks them the lamb leg she used to kill Mr. Maloney with. This story is not an example of poetic justice because Mrs. Maloney doen't get punished for the crime that she committed. The red herrings are in the beginning of the story when everyone is lead to believe that Mrs. Maloney is a good and loving housewife. The author creates a good mystery story that had us guessing what was going to happen next.
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