Lamb to the Slaughter

1. Lamb to the Slaughter Critical Evaluation

2. Task – Critical Evaluation • To what extent did Roald Dahl make you feel sympathetic towards the character of Mary Maloney in his short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” ?

3. Writing an Introduction to a CE • You may use the wording of the task to help you get started, e,g, “ I felt a greatdeal of sympathy towards the character of Mary Maloney in the short story“Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl” • Very briefly sum up your answer to the question posed by the task. See example above. • Make sure you name the text, genre and author in that very first sentence. See example above.

4. Writing an Introduction to a CE • You may also wish to list the key areas you will examine, e.g. “In particular I will examine Mary’s relationship with her husband Patrick, her love for her unborn child and the astonishing presence of mind she displays when outwitting the policemen.” This makes your intentions clear to the reader / marker. • DO NOT begin to answer in any detail in your introduction. DO NOT include quotations.

5. Introduction - Example • In his short story, “ Lamb to the Slaughter ” , Roald Dahl introduces a character for whom I felt very mixed feelings. While I had some sympathy for the nightmarish predicament in which Mary Maloney finds herself, I couldn’t help but feel there were some unpleasant aspects of her personality.

6. Key Points • Before you begin to write, decide on the key points you wish to make. Use these to form your paragraph plan. • Decide on the quotations you will use to back up your key points.

7. ♠ Her obvious ability as a homemaker. ♠ Her appearance ♠ Her pregnancy ♠ Her love for her husband ♠ The way she looks after him ♠ Patrick’s cold manner ♠ His decision to leave her particularly while pregnant ♠ The callous /selfish way he tells her. ♠ Her concern for her unborn child. ♠ Sympathy about her nightmarish situation ♠ Admiration for her presence of mind (alibi / getting rid of the murder weapon) Sympathy for Mary – Key Points

8. ♦ Too “smothering” of Patrick ♦ Doesn’t seem to listen to him properly. ♦ Lives only to serve him – doormat? ♦ Violently kills Patrick ♦ Deliberately sets out to decieve police (alibi / murder weapon) ♦ Begins to giggle Unsympathetic Characteristics of Mary Maloney – Key Points

9. Personal Response • Try to give your genuine response to the story / characters throughout your essay. • Your conclusion should summarise your personal response to the story

10. Some General Points • Remember to write effective topic sentences which link back to the task. • Keep your answer relevant throughout. Always focus on your task.

11. Conclusion • Your conclusion should refer back to your task and sum up your overall answer / personal response.