ROALD DAHL (1916-1990)

- British novelist, short story writer and poet

- Wrote mainly for children

“LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER”

It was published in Harper’s Magazine in 1953.It was later included in the collection Someone
Like You.

The idea for this story was provided by Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond.

EXPLANATION FOR THE TITLE:

- The title is a phrase taken from Bible (Jeremiah 11:19: and Isaiah 53: 7)
- It means “in an careless manner.”
- It refers to someone who goes innocently into a dangerous or life threatening situation
like an innocent lamb taken for killing. Lambs are supposed to be helpless.

IRONY IN THE STORY:

Irony is the situation where we expect something to happen and the exact opposite
happens.

- In this story often the reader understands more than the characters.
- Generally the lamb is seen as innocent. The lamb in this case is actually a weapon used
for murdering.

-Mary has called the police and the detectives are in her house. As they are eating the
lamb of leg, one of the officers says in relation to the murder weapon that it is “probably
right under our very noses.” This statement is literally true though the officer who says it
has no idea what he is saying.
GENDER ROLES IN THE STORY:

- The story presents the patriarchal (male dominated) society that existed in the 1950s
England.
- Women are expected to stay at home, cook and clean all day.
- Mary Maloney is economically dependent on her husband.
- Mr. Maloney seems to take all important decisions. Mary Maloney has no decision-
making powers.