Lamb to the Slaughter
Encyclopedia
"Lamb to the Slaughter" is a short story
by Roald Dahl
. It was initially rejected, along with four other stories, by The New Yorker
, but was ultimately published in Harper's Magazine
in September 1953. It was adapted for an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents
and starred Barbara Bel Geddes
. Originally broadcast on April 13, 1958, it was one of only 17 AHP episodes directed by Hitchcock
himself. The story was subsequently adapted for Dahl's British TV series Tales of the Unexpected
. Dahl included it in his short story compilation Someone Like You
.
"Lamb to the Slaughter" demonstrates Dahl's fascination with horror
(with elements of black comedy
), a theme that would influence both his in adult fiction
as well as his children stories.
. When he returns, Mary notices that he is strangely aloof and assumes that he was tired from work. Patrick finally reveals to Mary what is making him act strangely. It is not explicitly said, but it is insinuated that he is leaving her.
Seemingly in a trance, Mary fetches a large leg of lamb from the deep-freezer in the cellar to cook for their dinner. Patrick angrily tells Mary not to make him any dinner, as he is going out. She strikes Patrick in the back of the head with the frozen lamb leg, killing him.
Mary realizes that she has killed Patrick and is willing to accept the penalty. However, she was scared for her baby and is not sure whether it would live. She prepares the leg of lamb and places it in the oven. After practicing a cheerful routine, she visits the grocer to establish an alibi
. Upon returning, she enters the room with her dead husband lying on the floor and calls the police.
When the police arrive, they ask Mary questions and look at the scene. Considering Mary above suspicion because Patrick was a detective, the police conclude that Patrick was killed with a large blunt object, likely made of metal. After a fruitless search around the house and surrounding area, Mary offers the policemen the cooked leg, which they accept. When the lamb is nearly finished, the police discuss the murder weapon's possible location. One officer says, "Probably right under our very noses". The story ends with Mary overhearing their conversation in another room, and giggling, knowing that the last line is completely true.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
. It was initially rejected, along with four other stories, by The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
, but was ultimately published in Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts, with a generally left-wing perspective. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S. . The current editor is Ellen Rosenbush, who replaced Roger Hodge in January 2010...
in September 1953. It was adapted for an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alfred Hitchcock Presents is an American television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock. The series featured dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. By the premiere of the show on October 2, 1955, Hitchcock had been directing films for over three decades...
and starred Barbara Bel Geddes
Barbara Bel Geddes
Barbara Bel Geddes was an American actress, artist and children's author. She is best known for her role in the television drama series Dallas as matriarch Eleanor "Miss Ellie" Ewing. Bel Geddes also starred in the original Broadway production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in the role of Maggie...
. Originally broadcast on April 13, 1958, it was one of only 17 AHP episodes directed by Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
himself. The story was subsequently adapted for Dahl's British TV series Tales of the Unexpected
Tales of the Unexpected (TV series)
Tales of the Unexpected is a British television series originally aired between 1979 and 1988, made by Anglia Television for ITV. Filming began in 1978.The series was an anthology of different tales...
. Dahl included it in his short story compilation Someone Like You
Someone Like You
Someone Like You may refer to:In film and theater:*Someone Like You , a 2001 film*Someone Like You , a West End musical*Unnaipol Oruvan, an Indian film directed by Chakri Toleti...
.
"Lamb to the Slaughter" demonstrates Dahl's fascination with horror
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
(with elements of black comedy
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
), a theme that would influence both his in adult fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
as well as his children stories.
Plot summary
Mary Maloney, a pregnant young woman, expects her husband Patrick to return home from his job as a local police detectiveDetective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
. When he returns, Mary notices that he is strangely aloof and assumes that he was tired from work. Patrick finally reveals to Mary what is making him act strangely. It is not explicitly said, but it is insinuated that he is leaving her.
Seemingly in a trance, Mary fetches a large leg of lamb from the deep-freezer in the cellar to cook for their dinner. Patrick angrily tells Mary not to make him any dinner, as he is going out. She strikes Patrick in the back of the head with the frozen lamb leg, killing him.
Mary realizes that she has killed Patrick and is willing to accept the penalty. However, she was scared for her baby and is not sure whether it would live. She prepares the leg of lamb and places it in the oven. After practicing a cheerful routine, she visits the grocer to establish an alibi
Alibi
Alibi is a 1929 American crime film directed by Roland West. The screenplay was written by West and C. Gardner Sullivan, who adapted the 1927 Broadway stage play, Nightstick, written by Elaine Sterne Carrington, J.C...
. Upon returning, she enters the room with her dead husband lying on the floor and calls the police.
When the police arrive, they ask Mary questions and look at the scene. Considering Mary above suspicion because Patrick was a detective, the police conclude that Patrick was killed with a large blunt object, likely made of metal. After a fruitless search around the house and surrounding area, Mary offers the policemen the cooked leg, which they accept. When the lamb is nearly finished, the police discuss the murder weapon's possible location. One officer says, "Probably right under our very noses". The story ends with Mary overhearing their conversation in another room, and giggling, knowing that the last line is completely true.