1. Identify and briefly define important words, terms, concepts, or characters.
There were many important characters in the short story. Sam who was the grocery owner and her alibi played a key role in her walk to freedom, Patrick Maloney who was the victim in the story, Sergeant Jack Noonan who is a good friend of the victim and suspect, and detective in the case, and most importantly Mrs. Mary Maloney who was the murderer. The important word in the story to me was lamb. Lamb is important because it is the murder weapon and supper.
2. Summarize the main idea, theme, action, or event of the reading. Be sure to include quotation that best captures the overall feeling or mood of the reading.
The short story “Lamb of the Slaughter” by Ronald Dahl was about a detective named Patrick Maloney who told his wife, Mary Maloney that he wanted a divorce from her and didn’t want to make it a big deal for the sake of his job. Mary then went about her night and decided to go into the kitchen, and reach in the freezer, and choose a meat to serve for dinner that night. However we didn’t know that Mary was planning on striking her husband with the meat, in this case the leg of lamb and instantly killing him with one blow. Mary realized what she did and went to clear her name. Mrs. Maloney went to the grocery store and use the owner Sam as her alibi, and pretended like she left her husband alive at home and wanted to cook him supper. Then she convinced herself he was alive and well, and was shocked to find him on the floor. Mary then called the police to report that she found her husband lying on the floor and believes he is dead. They jump to conclusions that Mary could not be a suspect after examining the evidence. As a jester and a smart move to get rid of the weapon Mary offered the policemen whiskey and the leg of lamp as hospitality. “Please, she begged. ‘Please eat it. Personally I couldn’t tough a thing, certainly not what’s been in the house when he was here. But it’s all right for you. It’d be a favor to me if you’d eat it up. Then you can go on with your work again afterwards.” Mary Maloney was very persistent to get the policemen to eat the weapon to clear her chances. “Probably right under our very noses. What you think, Jack?” They had no clue that they were eating away the weapon as Mary Maloney began to giggle in the other room.
3. Formulate a question for discussion. The question should be relatively substantial, based upon a specified passage or scene from the text, and capable of sustaining a thoughtful discussion.
The policemen just canceled Mrs. Maloney out as a suspect because she was crying and seemed happy earlier that day. They did not perform their jobs and therefore ruined their chances of ever finding the killer of Patrick; they let friendship get in the way. Why do you think that happened? Why do you think we put friendship before looking at what really happened or at what could have happened? Are we programmed to think like that or not?
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2 comments:
We put friendship in the way of possibly solving a crime or whatever the case may be, because we feel we can always rely on our friends to tell us the truth, and trust them of any wrong doing. In the words of The Beatles: "I get by with a little help from my friends", according to this quote, how would they ever steer us wrong? friendship becomes a very strong bond between people that lies and deceit are able to slip by without notice. Once caught, friendship might never be the same.
When we choose friends we pick people that we can relate to and trust with our secrets. We value their input and ask them for help whenever we need it. We form close bonds with our friends therefore we tend to overlook anything negative that maybe associated with our friendship. I don't believe we are programmed to think in that way it just happens sometimes other people are quick to challenge their friendships. Liz L.
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