lamb to the slaughter by roald dahl essay

Lamb to the Slaughter

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Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Roald Dahl's Lamb to the Slaughter . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Lamb to the Slaughter: Introduction

Lamb to the slaughter: plot summary, lamb to the slaughter: detailed summary & analysis, lamb to the slaughter: themes, lamb to the slaughter: quotes, lamb to the slaughter: characters, lamb to the slaughter: symbols, lamb to the slaughter: theme wheel, brief biography of roald dahl.

Historical Context of Lamb to the Slaughter

Other books related to lamb to the slaughter.

• Full Title: Lamb to the Slaughter
• When Published: 1953
• Literary Period: Modernism
• Genre: Short story; black comedy
• Setting: Late 1940s or 1950s, in the Maloney house and a nearby grocery store
• Climax: Mary kills her husband
• Antagonist: Patrick Maloney
• Point of View: Third-person limited

Extra Credit for Lamb to the Slaughter

Inspiration. “Lamb to the Slaughter” was supposedly written by Dahl after his friend Ian Fleming (spy novelist and former intelligence officer) suggested he write a story about a woman who murders her husband with frozen mutton that she serves to the detectives investigating her husband’s case.

Small screen version. The story was adapted into a television script written by Dahl and presented by Alfred Hitchcock. It aired in 1958, five years after the story was originally published.

Literature Studies: “Lamb to The Slaughter” by Roald Dahl Essay

Patrick is a detective who punctually arrives home to his wife. She always offers him a cold drink and allows him to take it peacefully. However, on this fateful day, the unusual happened and Patrick presumably told Mary, his wife, they were going to part ways. The series of events following this announcement led to Patrick’s death and an investigation into his death. This paper looks into Mary Maloney’s nature and her controlling characteristic as narrated by Dahl.

Dahl begins the story by introducing a wife, Mary Maloney, who is in a warm room waiting for her husband (Dahl). From the onset, Mary is depicted as a dedicated and dutiful wife with much love for her spouse. Despite signs pointing to anxiety, her occasional glances at the watch, she is calm.

Mary also comes across as keen to detail, she knows exactly when her husband comes home every day. Mary is composed, loving, and meticulous. However, in all her character traits, her attention to detail appears to contribute a significant share to her overall character.

The opening paragraphs clearly inform the reader that Mrs. Maloney is observant. She knows precisely what time her husband arrives since she begins to listen for signs of Patrick’s arrival. “When the clock said ten minutes to five … a few moments later, punctually as always…” (Dahl). She is rewarded by the sound of car tires outside the house. She can also tell that the second drink Patrick made for himself is stronger by just looking at it.

Her meticulous nature is called upon when she realizes that she has killed Patrick. Mary knows that if found at the crime scene without an alibi, she would end up as the prime suspect. A possibility of being charged for murder does not frighten her. Mary’s only fear is for the unborn child she is carrying (Dahl). To protect her soon to be born baby:

“She carried the meat into the kitchen, put it into a pan, turned on the oven… she washed her hands, ran upstairs, sat down in front of the mirror, fixed her makeup, and tried to smile … That was better. Both the smile and the voice sounded better now. She practiced them several times more” (Dahl).

Heading to the grocery, she bought what she needed. Her keen eye for detail plays out above and further highlighted by her knowledge of Patrick’s favorite dessert.

After the police arrived and began a thorough investigation, they realized that Mr. Maloney died from a blow to his back. As Mary cries in the house, Dahl gives the reader a hint to her diabolical plan. By cooking the “murder weapon”, she has partially destroyed any evidence linking her to Patrick’s death. However, it is not destroyed completely yet.

First, she offers the detectives a drink, possibly alcoholic and bids her time. Jack reminds her of the oven that is still running. She feigned surprise and with a teary face gently offers the officers to eat the murder weapon. Her mission to protect her unborn child appears accomplished when the police decide to finish the lamb. The story ends with Mary laughing at the remark by a police officer that the murder weapon was probably right under their noses.

Works Cited

Dahl, Roald. “Lamb to The Slaughter.” Harper’s Magazine. 1953. Print.

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Bibliography

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“Lamb to the Slaughter”

Sections: Information  | Plot Description  | Reviews  | Criticism and Analysis | Teacher Ideas

Information

• September 1953 issue of Harper’s Magazine
• 13 Ways to Kill a Man
• 5 Bestsellers Including Over 40 Tales of the Unexpected
• A Roald Dahl Selection: Nine Short Stories
• Completely Unexpected Tales
• Crime a la Carte
• Demonic Dangerous & Deadly
• Dumped: An Anthology
• Great British Mystery Stories of the Twentieth Century
• Great Murder Mysteries
• Great Short Stories of the English Speaking World
• International Treasury of Mystery and Suspense
• Lamb to the Slaughter and Other Stories
• Murder British Style
• Murder on the Menu
• Selected Stories of Roald Dahl
• Skin and Other Stories
• Someone Like You
• Tales of the Unexpected
• Tales of the Unexpected (Volume 1)
• The Best of Roald Dahl
• The Collected Short Stories of Roald Dahl
• The Complete Short Stories: Volume One
• The Edgar Winners: 33rd Annual Anthology of the Mystery Writers of America
• The Mystery Hall of Fame
• The Roald Dahl Omnibus
• Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (#137) - April 1955
• Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (Australia – #102) - December 1955
• Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (UK – #27) - April 1955
• Harper’s Magazine (1953-09) - September 1953
• The Honeys (play), 1955, Longacre Theater, Broadway
• “De Fijnproever & Lam Ter Slachtbank” read by Hans Keller
• “Lamb to the Slaughter” read by Juliet Stevenson
• Someone Like You read by Julian Rhind-Tutt, Stephen Mangan, Tamsin Greig, Derek Jacobi, Richard Griffiths, Willl Self, Jessica Hynes, Juliet Stevenson, Adrian Scarborough, Richard E. Grant
• Tales of the Unexpected read by Geoffrey Palmer, Joanna David, Tom Hollander, Patricia Routledge, and Joanna Lumley
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1958)
• Tales of the Unexpected (1979)

Plot Description

This is probably the most well-known of all Dahl’s short stories, simply because (in my opinion) it’s so simple. There isn’t a single wasted word in it. It’s gripping, shocking, and yet the story proceeds in such a rational manner that the reader’s suspension of disbelief is never broken. We are with Mary Maloney from the first sentence of the story, and only at the end do we realize that we never really knew her at all.

Spoiler warning! Mary Maloney is a devoted wife and expectant mother. She waits happily each night for the arrival of her husband Patrick, home from work at the police station. On this particular night, though, she can tell something is wrong. In disbelief, she listens as Patrick tells her that he is leaving her for another woman. [Actually Dahl never really says this; the details are left up to the reader’s imagination.] Dazed, she goes into the kitchen to prepare their supper and pulls a large frozen leg of lamb from the deep freeze. Still numb, she carries it into the living room and without warning bashes her husband over the head with it. As she looks at Patrick lying dead on the floor, she slowly begins to come back to her senses. Immediately she realizes the ramifications of what she has done. Not wanting her unborn child to suffer as a result of her crime, she begins planning her alibi. She places the leg of lamb in a pan in the oven and goes down to the corner grocery to get some food for “Patrick’s dinner” (making sure the grocer sees her normal and cheerful state of mind). She returns home and screams when she finds Patrick lying on the floor. She calls the police and informs them that she found her husband lying dead on the floor. Within hours swarms of officers are searching the house and conducting an investigation. Mary’s story of coming home from the grocer and finding him is corroborated as she had planned. While the police are searching fruitlessly into the night for the murder weapon, Mary offers them some lamb that she had prepared for dinner. They are happy to oblige. While they lounge in the kitchen and discuss the case (their mouths “sloppy” with meat), Mary Maloney sits in the living room and giggles softly to herself.

• “The Art of Vengeance” by Joyce Carol Oates ( The New York Review of Books )
• “Mister Macabre” by Edwin M. Yoder ( The Weekly Standard )

Criticism and Analysis

• Essay by J.C. Bernthan published in FEAST

Teacher Ideas

• Includes a reading jigsaw, ranking features of the perfect murder, and vocabulary matching task
• A R.A.F.T. Writing Prompt involving identification of important quotes from the story and then writing a persuasive essay in the form of a closing argument from a defense attorney
• Activities and discussion prompts involving a comparison of Edward Hopper's paintings and Dahl's writing (from The New York Times)

Lamb To The Slaughter

32 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Story Analysis

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

How does Dahl establish an atmosphere of domestic calm at the opening of the story? What clues does he give that the harmonious mood is soon to be shattered? Make reference to foreshadowing in your answer.

Describe the relationship between Mary and her husband. How does their marriage reflect the values of 1950s society? What is the author’s overall message about traditionally assigned gender roles?

What impression does the reader have of Mary Maloney at the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”? How does that perception change as the story progresses? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

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Activities for Teaching Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl

Secondary Literacy , Short Stories

“ Lamb to the Slaughter ” is a timeless classic. Roald Dahl’s brilliant short story uncovers a plot that is equal parts suspenseful and darkly humorous. Set in what appears to be an ordinary domestic scene, Dahl masterfully weaves a tale of deception , revenge , and unexpected twists. There is no shortage of activities for teaching “Lamb to the Slaughter” in your classroom.

This short story is sure to engage your students and leave them with plenty to discuss. It’s also a great option for teaching irony , making inferences , and exploring characterization . If you’ve never taught “ Lamb to the Slaughter ” before, prepare to have students at the edge of their seats!

What is “Lamb to the Slaughter” About?

When a devoted housewife receives startling news from her husband, this seemingly congenial story takes a dark and unexpected twist. Roald Dahl’s scary short story is a tale of ingenuity and the ironies of justice. With a weapon as unusual as it is ordinary, Dahl masterfully uncovers the thin line between love and vengeance. Your students will learn that there’s more that meets the eye after reading this eerie classic!

The story revolves around the protagonist, Mary Maloney – a traditional housewife with less conventional problem-solving skills. Unforeseen events suddenly disrupt Mary’s world, leaving her with a lot on her plate. As the narrative progresses, a profound transformation takes place, reshaping the course of her life. Dahl’s masterful storytelling skillfully navigates themes of tension , suspense , and human nature . It offers students a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of the character development and plot twists.

What age is “Lamb to the Slaughter” suitable for?

“ Lamb to the Slaughter ” is just about 4000 words in length. With a Lexile level of 780 , this scary short story is suitable for sophomores , freshmen , and even students in upper middle school .

If you teach senior-level high school students, “Lamb to the Slaughter” is still a valuable short story for your classroom. Students with a mature understanding of the culture of domesticity will have a lot to unpack from the story. Students can practice argumentative writing through exploring the motivations of Mary Maloney using these essay prompts .

It is important to note that “Lamb to the Slaughter” is a short story that implies a fair bit of violence. Although the events of the story are intended to be interpreted on a symbolic level, these events may be unsettling for some students. Educators should exercise discretion and consider the maturity and sensitivity of their students when choosing to include this story in a classroom curriculum.

What is the main lesson of “Lamb to the Slaughter?”

“ Lamb to the Slaughter ” illustrates how seemingly ordinary people can react in extraordinary ways when pushed to their limits. It serves as a commentary on the complexities of human behavior, the unpredictability of life, and the consequences of impulsive actions.

This short story is also a great starting point to exploring more complex concepts like implicit bias , domestic violence , and the criminal justice system .

Activities for teaching “Lamb to the Slaughter”

When it comes to short stories, I like to dig deeper into the themes and ideas that arise. Short stories provide a lot of value to the classroom because they spark engagement without assigning too much reading for homework. The other benefit of short stories is that they provide a less intimidating text to encourage close reading . I like to spend at least a week teaching “Lamb to the Slaughter” – sometimes even two. This offers students the opportunity to really master the text and revisit it enough to gain a deeper understanding. 

Here are my favourite lessons and activities for teaching “Lamb to the Slaughter” :

1. Practicing Making Inferences

What is remarkable about this short story is how much of it is told between the lines.  Students will have to make inferences about this story regardless of whether you prompt them to or not. In order to come to grips with the central event of the story, they’ll have to make conclusions based on the clues provided by the author.

I like to use this learning opportunity to teach students about making inferences. This gr aphic organizer will prompt students to make inferences and dive deeper into an analysis of Roald Dahl’s “Lamb to the Slaughter.”  Students will be challenged to analyze evidence from the text to provide both a literal evaluation and an inference about the interpretive meaning of each quote.  There are 11 quotations from “Lamb to the Slaughter” in total. Each quotation highlights key moments within the short story. These include the motivations of each character and the missing dialogue between Patrick and Mary.

Your lesson on making inferences can also serve as a pre-reading activity using this informational handout about “Lamb to the Slaughter.”   This handout explains the origins of the title of this short story and prompts students to make predictions about what will happen.  To consolidate this activity, this handout also includes pre-reading and post-reading questions to evaluate Dahl’s choice of title.

The missing dialogue between Patrick and Mary is truly the most mysterious and intriguing aspect of “Lamb to the Slaughter.” My students have had a lot of fun responding to a narrative writing prompt that has them explore the possible exchanges that can fill the void that Dahl creates in this story. This narrative writing assignment is also a great way to consolidate your lesson on making inferences.

2. Exploring Characterization

“ Lamb to the Slaughter ” is an excellent resource for teaching characterization in literature. Through the transformation of the protagonist, the story offers a compelling case study in character development . Educators can guide students in exploring how the author uses direct and indirect characterization techniques to reveal Mary Maloney’s personality, motivations, and internal conflicts. 

By dissecting Mary’s actions, thoughts, and dialogue throughout the story, students can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of character construction and how authors employ various literary devices to bring characters to life.  

This character analysis informational handout defines characterization and differentiates between direct characterization and indirect characterization .  Students will then be prompted to locate evidence in the text to characterize Mary Maloney, Patrick Maloney, Jack Noonan, and Sam.

Students can organize their evidence from the text in this character analysis graphic organizer .  This graphic organizer prompts students to identify the type of characterization (direct or indirect characterization) and the category of characterization (words, thoughts, appearance, etc.).  Finally, students will also analyze the evidence to offer their interpretation of the character.

3. Identifying Types of Irony

“Lamb to the Slaughter” is one of my favourite stories to use to demonstrate different types of irony . Students can explore how Dahl composes a story in which the title itself takes on a profound irony. As the story unfolds, the seemingly mundane domestic setting is juxtaposed with the shocking events that transpire, providing an ideal backdrop for discussions on this literary device. In addition to this, the unexpected twists in the plot – along with the reactions and perceptions of the characters – offer rich material for exploring dramatic irony.

Analyze Dahl’s brilliant use of irony with this free irony flow chart . This worksheet defines irony and differentiates between dramatic irony , situational irony , and verbal irony .  Students will be prompted to locate evidence in the text to apply examples to teach type of irony. They will also analyze why these examples qualify as ironic.

4. Teaching Argumentative Writing

If you teach older students, they’ll definitely have some fun arguing about the motivations of Mary Maloney . By interpreting her actions on a symbolic level, senior students can even analyze “Lamb to the Slaughter” from a feminist lens, and respond to whether or not Mary is a revolutionary housewife. 

This argumentative writing assignment for “Lamb to the Slaughter” provides three argumentative essay prompts . You can select a single writing prompt to assign to your students, or provide them with the option of student choice.  These prompts assess students on different areas of literary analysis, including figurative language (specifically irony), characterization , and theme .  

For a more experiential approach, you could also host a mock trial for Mary Maloney. This project-based learning opportunity provides differentiated roles for your students. It will help them develop main points and evidence to support their cases. If you have a particularly inquisitive group of students, you can assign them the task of defending Mary Maloney on whatever grounds they can imagine. Temporary insanity or lack of sovereignty are two arguments that can create a compelling case!

Teaching Lamb to the Slaughter: Tying It All Together

There are so many fun lessons and activities for teaching “ Lamb to the Slaughter .” Whether you teach middle school or senior students, there is so much value to be found in this short story. I hope you’ve found this blog post offered you some engaging options! To take your exploration of this classic short story to the next level, make sure to check out this “ Lamb to the Slaughter ” unit from my shop.

“Lamb to the Slaughter,” by Roald Dahl

In the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter,” Roald gives an account of a woman who attempts to find strength in a disgraceful way. The author uses the title “Lamb to the Slaughter” to mean an individual taken to their demise unknowingly. The phrase is a metaphor that shows hidden from the truth and wrongdoing being done to an individual without awareness. Through the short story, Roald shows bravery and betrayal in some characters and uses a variety of rhetorical devices to communicate the message.

Bravery in Roald’s short novel “Lamb to the Slaughter” is demonstrated through Mary’s actions in the story. Mary welcome her husband warmly by saying “Hullo Darling” which does not signify any bad intentions (Dahl 1).For instance, Mary bravely commits to marriage despite her husband’s betrayal. She intentionally intends to kill her husband due to the shock she gets after being betrayed. Through bravery, Mary hides the truth that she murdered her husband and maintains her innocence even when the police investigate the scene. Moreover, killing her husband requires physical strength; however, Mary manages to kill Patrick.

Another aspect drawn from Roald’s short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” is betrayal. The author shows the severe effects that betrayal can have on an individual and those betrayed because it can result in long-lasting effects. Betrayal in the short story is demonstrated through characters like Patrick and his wife, Mary. Patrick betrays his wife by leaving their marriage and goes to live alone. By leaving his marriage, Patrick betrays his wife, their unborn baby, and their domestic life. The betrayal becomes a shock to Mary, and she, in turn, betrays her husband by killing her husband and calling the police, intending to cover the murder. Through the characters, Roald shows how betrayal is the root of betrayals that end up being disastrous to an individual.

The use of rhetorical devices is a technique that Roald has employed in the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter.” The short story uses a variety of rhetorical devices, such as irony throughout the story. The irony is the most prominent rhetorical device in the “Lamb to the Slaughter,” where Roald creates more situational irony in the story. Situational irony is demonstrated through how certain events unpredictably turn, leaving the readers amazed (Tanusy 160). For example, the opening of the story depicts a marital harmony that calms readers into a false security sense; however, it ironically how Miss Malony kills her husband, an act that is expected based on the woman’s devotion as described at the opening of the story. Also, dramatic irony arises throughout the story since readers know some events; however, the characters are unaware. For example, Malony says, “Patrick’s decided he is tired,” and tries to hide that she did not kill her husband, an event that the readers well know. Thus, irony captivates readers’ desire to know more about the story. In conclusion, Roald’s short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” shows themes of bravery, and betrayal, among others, by using rhetorical devices that make the story captivating to the readers.

Works Cited

Dahl, Roald.  Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) . Penguin UK, 2012.

Tanusy, Jeanyfer. “Feminism in Roald Dahl’s” Lamb to the Slaughter”: A Semiotic Analysis.”  Fourth Prasasti International Seminar on Linguistics (Prasasti 2018) . Atlantis Press, (2018): 159-163

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Summaries, Analysis & Lists

Roald Dahl Short Stories

Roald Dahl short stories are known for being clever, unsettling and highly entertaining. Many Roald Dahl short stories have a surprise ending, but whether they do or not his stories are engaging from beginning to end.

Some Roald Dahl short stories are a bit on the long side for a short story, but they don’t feel like it. I’ve included an approximate word count and a link for easy reading where possible. If you’re a big fan and want to own all the Dahl’s short stories, you can get them in The Complete Short Stories Volume 1   and  Volume 2.  

What is Roald Dahl’s Most Famous Short Story?

Out of all Dahl’s short stories, I think there are only two possibilities:

• “The Landlady”

“Lamb to the Slaughter”

Both of these short stories are memorable and frequently anthologized. If you haven’t read them yet, you’re in for a treat.

Skin | 3,350 words

An older man who’s fallen on hard times passes an art gallery and sees a painting by a man he knew over thirty years ago. The painter’s work is now very valuable. He thinks of his time with the painter and remembers something the crowd might want to see. ( Summary )

“Skin” can be read in the Amazon sample of Skin and Other Stories .

The Great Automatic Grammatizator | 6,800 words

Adolph Knipe has just finished building an automatic computing machine, the most advanced type ever made. His boss, Mr. Bohlen, is pleased with their success, but Adolph isn’t excited. Mr. Bohlen insists that Adolph take a vacation and relax, but he comes up with an even bigger idea. ( Summary )

A lot of this story can be read in the preview of The Umbrella Man and Other Stories .

Nunc Dimittis

The narrator, Lionel, writes the story of his outrageous behavior toward a friend of his, Janet. He’s ashamed and embarrassed by how things went. The trouble started when he escorted Gladys home one evening. She roped him into staying a while and told him a secret. She also told him that Janet had said something about him.

Some of this story can be read in the preview of Mark Twain’s Medieval Romance .  (70% in)

The Landlady | 3,550 words

Billy Weaver, a young, inexperienced salesman arrives in Bath. He starts the next morning. In the meantime, he needs a place for the night. While looking for a hotel, he comes across a private Bed and Breakfast. After some vacillation, he knocks on the door. A very nice lady invites him in. ( Summary and Analysis )

Read “The Landlady”

Roald Dahl Short Stories, Cont’d

The Wish | 1,460 words

A tremendous length of carpet stretches through the hallway ending at the front door of a house. The boy who lives there suddenly notices its possibilities. He imagines that its three colors represent different things—the red is hot coals, the black is snakes, and the yellow is safe. He tries to make his way across the carpet. ( Summary )

Peter, Fin and the narrator, RAF pilots, help at a Greek village in the aftermath of a German bombing. They find a little girl sitting on a stone not moving. She’s bleeding fast; they take her back to the landing field to see the doctor. Her name is Katina, and she lost her family in the bombing. She becomes a member of the squadron.

Madame Rosette

The Stag and Stuffy, pilots, are on a short leave in Cairo. They check into a hotel for a long bath before going out to shop. Stuffy is attracted to a sales clerk who sells him sunglasses. The Stag knows a woman, Madame Rosette, who can arrange a meeting with any girl in Cairo. Stuffy decides to give her a call.

The Mildenhall Treasure

Gordon Butcher rides his bike to the farm where he left his tractor the day before. Ford hired him but the land belongs to a man named Rolfe. The ground has to be deep-plowed for sugar-beet, which means going down ten to twelve inches. After many hours of work, the plough strikes something and Gordon has to stop to investigate.

Vengeance is Mine Inc.

The narrator and George talk about their lack of funds and the expense of living in New York. They talk about Lionel Pantaloon, a newspaper columnist who says insulting things about socialites. They realize that the people mentioned in his column would be upset with Pantaloon and want to get revenge. This gives them an idea for a potentially profitable business.

“Mr. Botibol”

Mr. Botibol, odd-looking and self-conscious, meets Mr. Clements about a business deal. He agrees to sell his company to Mr. Clements for the offer price, which was too low. They have a meal and drink alcohol, which Botibol rarely does. He reveals that he has never had any success in life. Botibol goes home and listens to a Beethoven symphony. He gets wrapped up in the experience, imagining himself the composer of the piece and the conductor of an orchestra. It’s a lot of fun.

Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life

The narrator’s cow is ready to mate. Rummins has agreed to let him use his famous bull. While helping the narrator bring the cow over, Claud tells him Rummins has a special way of doing things. When they arrive, Rummins asks the narrator if he wants a heifer or a bull.

An African Story  | 5,550 words

A pilot gets a story from an old man in a remote location. The old man thinks he hears a noise. He goes outside and listens. He hears the high-pitched yelp of a dog coming from the shed of his worker, Judson.

Beware of the Dog | 5,070 words

Peter Williamson, an injured WWII pilot, manages to keep flying his Spitfire. He’s lost a leg. He feels fine and thinks about how he’ll land the plane and surprise everyone with the news. Suddenly he feels bad; he knows he won’t make it.

“Beware of the Dog”

The Bookseller

William Buggage owns a rare book shop where he’s assisted by Miss Tottle. She pays little attention to the shop and Buggage pays almost none. The real money is made in the back room. Today alone, three cheques have come in. They target people with titles and anyone else who has money.

The Boy Who Talked with Animals | 6,700 words

The narrator goes to Jamaica to relax. He feels something unsettling permeating the whole island. A maid tells him about a tourist who was killed only two months ago. On his second evening a fisherman dumps an enormous turtle on the beach. People start making claims on the meat and shell. A boy tries desperately to save the turtle.

The Butler | 1,200 words

A newly rich man, George Cleaver, moves into an expensive London house. He hires an expensive French chef and an English butler. The Cleaver’s throw dinner parties to climb the social ladder. Something about the dinners isn’t really working, though. His butler explains that the wine is the problem, so George decides to become an expert.

Death of an Old Old Man

Charlie is known as an excellent pilot, but he’s terrified of going up again. It’s been getting worse every time. He’s been anticipating the order since last night. He doesn’t want to lose fifty years of his life.

Dip in the Pool | 4,300 words

Passengers on a cruise ship are dining when it starts swinging heavily. Mr. Botibol takes the opportunity to talk to the purser. The Captain makes an estimate on how much distance will be covered each day. The passengers can make bets on it. Botibol wonders if this patch of rough weather was accounted for in the estimate. It gives him an idea.

“Dip in the Pool”

Edward the Conqueror

Louisa calls her husband, Edward, for lunch. He has a bonfire going to clear out the brambles. Very close to the fire is a large stray cat. She takes it inside. It seems to show appreciation for the piano music she plays. Edward doesn’t like the cat. Louisa comes to believe it’s the reincarnation of a famous composer.

Galloping Foxley | 5,600 words

The narrator has taken the same train to work for thirty-six years. He’s a man of habit and is comforted when everything stays the same. One morning  his routine commute to work is disturbed by a new train passenger. He’s bothered by the intrusion. There’s something familiar about this stranger. He tries to identify the newcomer.

Genesis and Catastrophe: A True Story

A doctor assures a woman that her newborn son is healthy. She’s very worried. She’s given birth to three children who’ve all died. She finds it hard to believe that this one will be any different. The doctor does his best to convince her.

Georgy Porgy

The narrator is a fairly well-rounded person. The one area he feels he’s lacking is with women. Physical contact with them is repugnant to him; he even avoids shaking hands. He’s a curate with a large number of spinsters in his parish. Fending them off makes him jumpy.

The Great Switcheroo

Vic and Mary are among the group at Jerry and Samantha’s for a cocktail party. Vic is attracted to the hostess, Samantha. He wants to make a pass at her but several things make it too risky. As he considers the complications, an idea starts forming in his mind. It’s a bit of a long shot. For one thing, Jerry would have to agree to it.

Read “The Great Switcheroo”

The Hitch-Hiker | 4,200 words

A man picks up a hitch-hiker and asks him about his work, but the hitch-hiker only reveals that he’s in a skilled trade. After talking about how fast the car can go, the driver accelerates, only to be pulled over by the police. He is very worried but the hitch-hiker isn’t.

Lamb to the Slaughter | 3,900 words

A pregnant woman, Mary Maloney, gets her husband a drink when he comes home from work. He needs a little time before he’s ready to talk. Tonight, he drinks more than usual. She wants to fix him something to eat, but he doesn’t want anything. The mood is a bit tense. He has something important to tell her.

Man from the South | 4,625 words

The narrator is at a hotel, having a beer by the pool. An older, well-dressed man sits down by him. An American cadet who was enjoying himself in the pool also sits down. The cadet takes out cigarettes. The older man and the cadet disagree on the reliability of his lighter. The older man bets that the young man’s lighter won’t flame ten times in a row without missing one. He’s willing to wager his Cadillac.

“Man from the South”

Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat | 6,000 words

Mrs. Bixby makes a monthly visit to her old Aunt Maude. However, she spends the majority of the time with another man. After doing this for many years, the man gives her a beautiful present. She loves it but soon realizes she’ll have to explain how she came to have such an expensive item. She comes up with a plan to keep it.

“Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat”

My Lady Love, My Dove | 5,360 words

A wealthy couple has guests for the weekend. The wife doesn’t like either of them, but they play a good game of bridge. She doesn’t like the things they say. She tells her husband that they should have some fun by spying on their guests.

“My Lady Love, My Dove”

Sir Basil Turton inherits his father’s business and title. He’s much in demand by the women in London. A foreign woman, Natalia, swoops in and marries him. The narrator attends a dinner party with the Turtons. Lady Turton behaves indiscreetly, paying undue attention to a male guest. Her husband is aware, but he doesn’t take any action.

In an English cottage, an old woman lies in bed. She hears bombers flying overhead and thinks of her son in the Royal Air Force, imagining that she’s in the plane with him.

Parson’s Pleasure | 9,300 words

Mr. Boggis, an antiques dealer, surveys a village, making note of the farmhouses. He’s disguised as a clergyman. He buys valuable items from unsuspecting country dwellers, paying them very little and reselling for a huge profit. He has a gift for reading people and talking to them in the most effective way. On one trip, he makes the find of his life and puts his considerable skill to use.

A Piece of Cake | 4,700 words

A pilot recounts something that happened to him during wartime. He can’t remember everything—not before, only when it happened. There was trouble, but he was flying too low to bail out. It continued to get worse.

Lexington becomes an orphan at twelve days old. His parents get shot trying to get into their own home. He gets taken in by a seventy-year-old aunt. She’s a vegetarian. She home-schools him, shelters him from the outside world, and teaches him to cook.

Poison | 4,300 words

The narrator arrives home around midnight. His roommate, Harry, still has the light on in his room. He lies motionless in his bed, terrified, because a poisonous snake is under the covers on his stomach. It’s been there for hours and he can’t take it much longer. They try to figure out what to do.

Princess Mammalia

Princess Mammalia is a plain girl until her seventeenth birthday when she suddenly becomes beautiful—the most beautiful girl in the realm. With her newfound beauty comes power. She gradually uses it more and more.

The Ratcatcher (Claud’s Dog) | 4,200 words

A ratcatcher is called to a farm by special order of the health department. The ratcatcher is an off-putting man, but he knows his job well. He comes up with a plan to eliminate the rats, and he shares his knowledge with the owners.

Rummins (Claud’s Dog) | 3,700 words

Claud tells Rummins that his hayrick is infested with rats and is drawing the attention of the authorities. Rummins enlists the help of a few men to tear it down. While they work, the narrator thinks back a few months when the rick was built and remembers a significant detail.

Mr. Hoddy (Claud’s Dog) | 2,650 words

Claud and Clarice go to her father’s place, Mr. Hoddy’s, for the evening. Clarice warns him that her father will ask him how he’s going to support her. He’s not to mention the greyhounds; her father doesn’t approve. Claud speaks vaguely about his money-making ideas. Mr. Hoddy presses him for details, making it a bit uncomfortable.

Mr. Feasy (Claud’s Dog)

Gordon and Claud are going to the greyhound track with their dog, Jackie. They have two dogs that look exactly alike. They’ve been racing the slower one for two months so it has a well known reputation as a loser. Today, they’re going to bring the faster dog and pass it off as the same one. They’re going to bet heavily on it to win. A big obstacle is Mr. Feasey, the proprietor, who has a great memory and a great eye for dogs.

Royal Jelly | 8,000 words

A new mother, Mabel, is worried because her baby has been losing weight since birth. Her husband, Albert, isn’t so worried. He thinks things will improve in time. He’s a bee expert. While reading about bees, he makes a connection between them and the situation with his new daughter. It gives him an idea.

The Soldier

Robert is out walking late at night trying to keep his mind on good memories. His thoughts go to earlier in the day when his wife discovered a splinter in his foot. Somehow, he hadn’t noticed it. She tests his sensation with a pin. He remembers some examinations he had at the doctor’s a year ago.

Someone Like You

Two friends reunite over drinks. It’s been five years. The narrator’s friend has been fighting in the war the whole time. He’s changed and they find it hard to start talking. They have several drinks. He talks about the power he had over people’s lives.

The Sound Machine | 5,375 words

Klausner has invented a machine that captures sound frequencies inaudible to humans and makes them understandable. He tries the machine out one night and hears a terrible shriek. The problem is he can’t identify where it’s coming from.

The Surgeon

Dr. Sandy is in his office with a recent patient, a young man who was in a serious car accident. It’s been seven weeks and the man is recovered. He’s a Saudi Arabian Prince. He wants to give the doctor a sum of money, but the doctor doesn’t accept any payment beyond his regular salary. The Prince accepts this but insists that the doctor takes a gift from the King. Refusing would be a grave insult. He takes a velvet pouch from his jacket.

Taste | 5,250 words

At their dinners a wine connoisseur, Richard, and his host, Mike, make small bets on whether the expert can identify the wine being served. At one such dinner, Richard is a bit distracted by his host’s daughter, Louise. His attention returns to the meal when Mike unveils a special wine. Both men are confident; the betting gets out of hand.

They Shall Not Grow Old

Two pilots sit outside the hangar. A third man, Fin, has been gone for two and a half hours. He should have been back by now. Even if he hadn’t been shot down, he would have run out of fuel. Last night, he started talking about getting married.

The Umbrella Man | 2,400 words

While waiting for a taxi, a mother and daughter are approached by an older man who wants to sell them an expensive umbrella, cheaply. He explains that he’s forgotten his wallet and just needs cab fare to get home.

The Way Up to Heaven | 5,000 words

Mrs. Foster is always punctual while her husband seems to take pleasure in delaying her for her appointments. Mrs. Foster plans to fly to see her daughter and granddaughters in Paris. On the morning of her trip, Mr. Foster stresses her unbearably by making her wait for him.

“The Way Up to Heaven”

William and Mary | 10,000 words

Mary Pearl receives a letter from her lawyer following her husband’s death. Her husband had been approached by a doctor with an unusual plan for him. He went ahead with it, even though Mary was against the idea.

” A letter of farewell from William? Probably, yes. A formal letter. It was bound to be formal—stiff and formal. The man was incapable of acting otherwise. He had never done anything informal in his life.” —William and Mary

Yesterday was Beautiful

An English pilot ejects from his plane and lands on a Greek island. His foot is injured. There’s no one in sight. He searches the deserted town for a boat that can take him to the mainland.

I’ll keep adding Roald Dahl Short Stories as I find more.

Why isn't lamb more popular in the US?

Grilled lamb chops, mmm! And one of the best meals I ever had was a buffet at a Glasgow hotel. A highlight was a tender rack of lamb.

A couple of John Buchan’s books, set in Scotland 100+ years ago, mention “mutton ham” as a special treat. I suppose that means a leg or shoulder of salted smoked mutton?

If anyone hasn’t read Roald Dahl’s “Lamb to the Slaughter” yet, or seen the TV version, here it is:

The wikipedia article contains spoilers:

Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl: Summary | Short Story

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Lamb to the Slaughter

ABOUT THE STORY

Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl  

The short story "Lamb to the Slaughter" is a story of mystery by the English writer Roald Dahl. It was published in 1953 in Harper's Magazine in September. This is a short story about the Theder. Here, the main character Mary kills her husband Patrick Maloney who is a police detective. The major themes of this short story are deception and crime.

SHORT SUMMARY

Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl

This  short story 'Lamb to the Slaughter' has been written by Roald Dahl, a writer from England. This short story is about the murder of police detective Patrick Maloney by his wife, Mary Maloney.

The main character Mrs. Mary Maloney was a kind lady. Her house was little, clean, and quite cosy. She was a six-month-pregnant lady who loved to spend time making her home warm and inviting.

One day, when Mary's husband, Patric, came home from work, she was quietly doing her sewing task. He shared some surprising news with Mary regarding his abandonment of marriage. After listening to the news of Patrick's departure, Mary became very sad. As Patrick wanted to leave, a very unexpected thing happened there. This was a huge shock, and Mary, in a moment of confusion and strong emotions, did something very unexpected. She moved to the kitchen and grabbed a frozen leg of lamb, and without thinking much, she accidentally used it to hurt her husband.

Later, Mary seemed quite different after her crime. Instead of being scared or worried about her guilt, Mary planned to do something really interesting. She went to the local store to buy some groceries. She went on a pretend shopping trip so that people would not suspect anything about her. When she returned home, some special visitors ie the police, came to her house. They inquired about various things regarding her husband. They asked her what had happened to her husband.

Next, Mary played a very exciting part. She decided to serve a dinner party to the police. She showed her smart and tricky acts and invited them for dinner. The officers also agreed. At dinner, she served the same leg of lamb that she had used to murder her husband. The police officers didn't suspect that they were eating the same weapon that was used to commit the crime.

While the police officers were eating, they talked about the mystery of the weapon. They were pondering where the "weapon" might be. They were trying to figure out what weapon Mary might have used to hurt her husband. Little did they know, the weapon was right there with them, inside their stomachs!

At the end of the story, Mary is successful in keeping her secret. It's like a weird and wonderful puzzle where Mary puzzles everyone in a very playful way.

So, this story is not just about unexpected twists but also about clever thinking and making things a little mysterious.

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