4H3 - Lamb to the Slaughter

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Welke twee categorieën van personages zijn er, en wat zijn de belangrijkste kenmerken van beiden?

Round characters

• Character development, changes throughout the story
• Defining characteristics

> Usually main characters

(Harry, Hermoine, Ron, Snape)

(Iron Man, Captain America, Thor)

Flat characters

• Doesn't change throughout the story
• Stereotypical, no background

> Usually supporting characters / villains

(Crabbe, Goyle, Mr Filch, Bellatrix Lestrange)

(Korg, Thanos)

Is Jack Noonan a flat or a round character? Why?

Jack Noonan

Jack Noonan is a flat character, we learn nothing about him. He is only present in his role as a police officer and he doesn't change throughout the story.

Is Patrick Maloney a flat or a round character? Why?

Patrick Maloney

Patrick Maloney is a flat character. We learn almost nothing about him, and he doesn't change throughout the story (other than going from being alive to being dead, which doesn't count)

Is Mary Maloney a flat or a round character? Why?

Mary Maloney

Mary Maloney is a round character. She undergoes a change throughout the story. In the beginning she is a meek housewife ("She loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man"). Mary changes from a loving housewife to a woman so overcome with feelings of anger and betrayal that she commits murder. She becomes cunning  and calculating in the way she covers up the murder, putting herself and her unborn child first.                                                            

When and where is the story set?

Time:

• writer's present > 1953
• Thursday
• From around 5 o'clock in the afternoon to 9 o'clock in the evening

Place:

• Maloney residence
• Grocery store
• England, presumably. 

What influence does this setting have on the story and the characters?

Influence

The setting is important:

• Reflection of traditional gender roles
• Reflection on Mary and Patrick's relationship (the disgrace of divorce / an extra-marital affair)

What is a metaphor?

Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech which makes an indirect comparison. It focuses on hidden similarities between two ideas or objects.

• broken heart
• a rollercoaster of emotions
• fishing for compliments

Assignment

The title of the story, "Lamb to the Slaughter" can be interpreted as a metaphor in three different ways. What are they? 

Irony

• Saying something but meaning the opposite
•  The reader knows something that at least one character is unaware of
• the outcome of a situation is different than expected, often with a humorous result

Irony in Lamb to the Slaughter

 “It'd be a favor to me if you'd eat it up. Then you can go on with your work afterwards.” 

> request to eat the murder weapon (but the police doesn't know)

'Personally, I think it's right here on the premises"

> Police about the murder weapon

Homework

• Lezen "The Landlady"
• Maken samenvatting
•  Maken vraag 5-11 bij "The Landlady"