English "The Landlady" and "Lamb to the Slaughter"

1st example of situational irony in "Lamb to the Slaughter"

An example of situational irony is the title of the story, "Lamb to the Slaughter". A lamb is a symbol of innocence. Yet when paired with the word slaughter, which means to kill, it doesn't add up and essentially is the exact opposite. This relates to the plot as Mary represents the innocent lamb, and has murdered her husband but no one is suspicious.

1st example of verbal irony in "Lamb to the Slaughter"

An example of verbal irony is after the fact that she killed Patrick and Mary unexpectedly says, "Patrick!" she called. "How are you, darling?" This is certainly ironic because you would expect her to act frantic, however she acts the opposite way by pretending that everything is normal and fine.

2nd example of dramatic irony in "Lamb to the Slaughter"

Another example of dramatic irony from the text is when detectives mention, "...acted quite normal...very cheerful...wanted to give him a good supper.. peas...cheesecake...impossible that she..." This is ironic because the audience is clearly informed that Mary Maloney is the murder. However, with this statement it proves that everyone else doesn't suspect a thing of her. Obviously this is false, creating dramatic irony.

2nd example of situational irony in "Lamb to the Slaughter"

Another example of situational irony is in the beginning of the tale, it is described that, "The room was warm and clean, the curtains drawn, the two-table lamps alight-hers and the one by the empty chair opposite. On the sideboard behind her, two tall glasses, soda water, whiskey." This proves that she is a caring and loving wife who takes care of things while her husband is at work. Yet this is ironic because not soon thereafter, she goes against what she did and kills her husband.

2nd example of verbal irony in "Lamb to the Slaughter"

Another example of verbal irony is when Mary states, "There's plenty of meat and stuff in the freezer, and you can have it right here and not even move out of the chair." Looking back on this statement, it seems ironic because Patrick did in fact "have" the lamb, (as that's what she killed him with) however not in the way she intended.

4th example of suspense in "The Landlady"

-Foreshadowing-(consult the sheet)--History and The Landlady

1st example of suspense in "The Landlady"

-character of the landlady--she seems "off her rocker", odd, peculiar, too motherly, nice

2nd example of suspense in "The Landlady"

-the setting-old, creepy town with no shops on the wide street that Billy arrived about nine o'clock

3rd example of suspense in "The Landlady"

-the two men Billy can't seem to recall-Temple and Mulholland, they are still in the boarding house, they were headlines for some reason.

Method of characterization in "Lamb to the Slaughter": The writer reveals what other characters in the story say or think about the character

Example from the story and what it reveals about the character: "...acted quite normal...very cheerful...wanted to give him a good supper... peas...cheesecake...impossible that she..."- shows that her actions about destroying the evidence and having an alibi, causes her to have fooled the detectives into thinking she is innocent and couldn't have possibly been involved in the murder

Method of characterization in "Lamb to the Slaughter": The character's private thoughts are revealed.

Example from the story and what it reveals about the character: "Do everything right and natural. Keep things absolutely natural and there'll be no need for any acting at all."- reveals that she has a plan to cover up the murder; to ensure that no one is suspicious of her "On the other hand, what about the child? What were the laws about murderers with unborn children? Did they kill them both?"- although it is hinted that she has a clear and thoughtful plan, she is still questioning the details about her and her unborn baby

Method of characterization in "Lamb to the Slaughter": The writer describes how the character looks and dresses.

Example from the story and what it reveals about the character: "Her skin -for this was her sixth month with child-had acquired a wonderful translucent quality"- provides clues to make the reader infer that she is pregnant "...and the eyes, with their new placid look, seemed larger, darker than before."- implies that she is a curious and observant person

Method of characterization in "Lamb to the Slaughter": The writer shows what the character does -how he/she acts.

Example from the story and what it reveals about the character: "She carried the meat into the kitchen, placed it in a pan, turned the oven on high, and shoved it inside."- this demonstrates that she is extremely clever because she is ultimately destroying the evidence by cooking the murder weapon "The room was warm and clean, the curtains were drawn, the two-table lamps alight-hers and the one by the empty chair opposite. On the sideboard behind her, two tall glasses, soda water, whiskey."- proves that she is a caring and supportive wife because she is preparing things for when her adored husband comes home

Method of characterization in "Lamb to the Slaughter": The writer directly states what kind of person the character is: sneaky, honest, evil, innocent, and so on.

Example from the story and what it reveals about the character: "She loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man,"- this shows direct characterization because the author is blatantly describing that she is luxuriating

Method of characterization in "Lamb to the Slaughter": The character is revealed through his/her own speech.

Example from the story and what it reveals about the character: "Tired darling"-caring, doting wife "Would you like me to get you some cheese?"

3rd example of suspense in "Lamb to the Slaughter"

Mary is a stereotypical submissive housewife who caters to her husband

1st example of dramatic irony in "Lamb to the Slaughter"

One example of dramatic irony is later in the story when one of policemen states, "Probably right under our very noses. What you think, Jack?". This is dramatic irony because he says this while they are eating the leg of lamb, (which is identified as the murder weapon and evidence) which is in fact true that the evidence is right under their noses, except they don't know that.

2nd example of suspense in "Lamb to the Slaughter"

Patrick's brief but unusual behavior

1st example of suspense in "Lamb to the Slaughter"

Predictable behavior Examples include Mary's normal routine to create suspense

4th example of suspense in "Lamb to the Slaughter"

The police never suspect Mary as a suspect.

Dramatic irony

This occurs when the reader or audience understands more about the events of a story than a character.

Situational irony

This occurs when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate.

Verbal irony

This occurs when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate.

Example of foreshadowing in "The Landlady": "The tea tasted faintly of bitter almonds, and he didn't much care for it."

What is being foreshadowed? He was in reality tasting the poison, except he didn't realize it.

Example of foreshadowing in "The Landlady": "...and we don't want to go breaking any laws at this stage in the proceedings, do we?"

What is being foreshadowed? She then goes breaking the laws by killing the three men and stuffing them. She also poisoned Billy, which is against the law.

Example of foreshadowing in "The Landlady": "His landlady wasn't there, but the fire was glowing in the hearth, and the little dachshund was still sleeping soundly in the front of it"

What is being foreshadowed? The dachshund wasn't alive, it was stuffed. Which then shows how the men all got stuffed.

Example of foreshadowing in "The Landlady": "Now and again, he caught a whiff of a peculiar smell that seemed to emanate directly from her...he wasn't quite sure what it reminded him of? Pickled walnuts? New leather? Or was it the corridors of a hospital?"

What is being foreshadowed? The smell that emanated from her was actually the smell of poison.

Example of foreshadowing in "The Landlady": "And now a queer thing happened to him. He was in the act of stepping back and turning away from the window when all at once his eye was caught and held in the most peculiar manner by the small notice that was there."

What is being foreshadowed? The words "queer" and "peculiar" indicate that something is happening beyond Billy's control. The use of these words suggests he should be on the alert.