thesis statement in lamb to the slaughter

Lamb To The Slaughter | Summary, Analysis, Themes & Meaning

“Lamb to the Slaughter,” by Roald Dahl, was first published in 1953 and later appeared in collections such as “Someone Like You” (1953) and “Tales of the Unexpected” (1979). It’s a horror story like Macbeth by William Shakespeare .

The story tells how a wife cunningly employs a frozen leg of lamb to murder her unfaithful husband, devising a plan to evade detection. Adapted for television, it showcases Dahl’s adeptness at building tension and infusing dark comedy into the narrative.

Table of Contents

Summary Of The Lamb to the Slaughter

In Setting , the murder occurs in the Maloney home’s living room and kitchen, which serve as the main settings for the narrative. Although the exact time period isn’t mentioned, it appears to be in the middle of the 20th century.

The compelling story of “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl takes surprising turns as it progresses. In the opening of the story, Mary Maloney eagerly anticipates her husband Patrick’s return from work, preparing a nice supper and looking forward to a relaxing evening together.

However, her world shatters when Patrick arrives and abruptly informs her of his decision to leave. Consumed by rage and despair, Mary impulsively retrieves a frozen leg of lamb from the freezer and strikes Patrick in the back of the head, instantly killing him.

As Mary startles herself with her own actions, a whirlwind of emotions engulfs her as she grapples with the gravity of what she has done.

Mary, who is adamant about hiding her crime, carefully plans how to get rid of the murder weapon and come up with a plausible alibi. She presents a front of normalcy and offers the investigating officers the cooked leg of lamb for dinner when they arrive at her house.

They eat, without realizing it, the same proof that Patrick was murdered. Mary plays the perfect grieving widow, feigning innocence as the police talk about the case and make assumptions regarding the whereabouts of the murder weapon.

Beneath the surface, though, is a deep sense of regret and sorrow, knowing that her life would never be the same.

Dahl skillfully addresses issues of treachery, deceit, and the unexpected potential for violence in otherwise seemingly normal people throughout the entire narrative.

He subverts social norms and conventional gender roles by providing a complex representation of female agency and empowerment through the figure of Mary Maloney.

As the novel progresses, it takes readers into a world where appearances can deceive, and distinguishing guilt from innocence becomes challenging.

Lamb to the Slaughter profoundly impresses by reminding us of the fragility of human connections and the unexpected outcomes that may arise when they are tested to the extreme.

This classic story never fails to enthrall audiences with its gripping storyline and provocative topics, encouraging contemplation on the intricacies of human nature and the effects of our actions.

Analysis Of The Lamb To The Slaughter

The engrossing story “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl explores the intricacies of human nature, providing deep understanding of themes of treachery, deceit, and the unsuspected ability for violence within seemingly normal people.

Fundamentally, “Lamb to the Slaughter” offers a terrifying depiction of treachery and its terrible results. As the story begins, Mary Maloney eagerly awaits her husband’s return home, so she is taken aback when he unexpectedly announces that he is divorcing her.

Mary experiences shock and bewilderment at this abrupt betrayal, which drives her to act violently in a desperate time. We are forced to face hard realities about the brittleness of trust and the erratic nature of human conduct as we dive deeper into Mary’s psyche.

“Lamb to the Slaughter” examines the themes of deceit and the extent people will go to in order to keep their secrets hidden in addition to betrayal.

Mary skillfully creates an alibi and gets rid of the murder weapon without raising any red flags, making her flawless cover-up of her crime a monument to the power of deception.

People frequently use the vivid metaphor “lamb to the slaughter” to represent someone who enters a risky situation without realizing it will end badly, much like a lamb brought to its fate without realizing it would end badly.

“Lamb to the Slaughter” also offers a biting assessment of the restrictions imposed on women in patriarchal civilizations, challenging conventional gender roles and cultural expectations.

As Mary transforms from a subservient housewife to a crafty killer, “Lamb to the Slaughter” challenges expectations and prompts readers to reevaluate their ideas about the agency and empowerment of women.

Dahl emphasizes the intricacies of gender dynamics and how cultural norms may influence people’s conduct through Mary’s deeds. In summary, “Lamb to the Slaughter” enthralls readers with its compelling story and provocative issues, making it a well-written piece.

The complexities of Mary Maloney’s narrative force us to face difficult realities about the nature of humanity and the limits of our own morality.

This timeless short story serves as a sobering reminder of the intricacies of human nature and the unintended repercussions of our actions because of its ageless relevance and enduring influence.

Symbolism In Lamb To The Slaughter

Meaning and context of “lamb to the slaughter”.

People frequently use the vivid metaphor “lamb to the slaughter” to represent someone entering a risky situation without realizing it will end badly, much like a lamb brought to its fate without realizing it would end badly.

Moreover, It’s a striking picture that makes you feel vulnerable and in danger. We meet Mary Maloney in this compelling story, an apparently loving wife whose life takes an abrupt and surprising change when her husband makes the shocking declaration that he is divorcing her.

Mary’s first shock soon gives way to desperation and wrath, which causes her to carry out a shocking act of violence using a leg of lamb as her preferred weapon.

The story’s background reveals layers of treachery, deceit, and the surprising ability for violence inside seemingly normal people.

Furthermore, It casts doubt on our conceptions of innocence and poses interesting queries about human nature and the extent people will go to in times of extreme need.

In addition, “Lamb to the Slaughter” criticizes social norms and conventional gender roles. Mary’s journey from obedient wife to premeditated killer subverts social mores and illuminates the nuances of human nature.

“Lamb to the Slaughter” is a provocative examination of the human condition, not merely a slogan. It compels us to consider the ramifications of betrayal and the unpredictable nature of human conduct with its compelling story and vibrant cast of characters.

The next time you hear the phrase “lamb to the slaughter,” try to recall the meaning behind it and give it some thought.

Character Dynamics In Lamb to the Slaughter

Dahl skillfully creates complex character interactions that propel the story along. The tension between Mary and the detectives, as well as Mary’s internal conflict about lying and guilt, makes the plot more complex.

Through complex character relationships, Dahl delves into themes related to morality, justice, and the fallout from betrayal. Readers are lured into a web of suspense and intrigue as Mary deals with the fallout from her crime and the detectives hunt down their suspect.

Moreover, the story’s recurring power struggles and moral uncertainty highlight the complexity of human nature and the varied ways that people react to hardship.

Mary Maloney

Mary Maloney, the story’s protagonist, is an obedient and seemingly meek woman who experiences a tremendous shift following her husband’s betrayal. Mary’s character, who was first portrayed as a loving wife, takes a stunning turn when she murders someone.

Dahl deftly captures Mary’s plunge into darkness, bringing to light the breadth of her resourcefulness and despair. Although, readers will see Mary’s inner torment and the slow erosion of her innocence as she struggles with the truth of her husband’s adultery.

She reveals layers of depth and ambiguity in her character through her deliberate acts, which range from the meticulous preparation of the murder to her cool-headedness in the aftermath.

Patrick Maloney

Mary’s husband Patrick Maloney acts as a trigger for the plot’s developments. Patrick’s character is prominent despite his brief involvement in the story because of his betrayal and the effect it had on Mary.

Although Patrick’s actions are never fully addressed, he plays a vital role in the plot since his treachery sets the setting for Mary’s dramatic actions. Readers learn more about Patrick’s personality and his relationship with Mary through Mary’s memories and the investigators’ inquiry.

Moreover, he is sudden declaration of his intention to file for divorce rocks Mary’s world, deepening her spiral into despair and inspiring the unforgiveable act of violence that ensues.

The Detectives

The investigators looking into Patrick’s slaying offer an alternative viewpoint on Mary’s personality. Their suspicion and disbelief that Mary is a suspect exposes preconceptions and biases in society.

The detectives fail to recognize Mary’s intelligence and resourcefulness despite their professional manner, which ultimately prevents them from solving the case.

Readers are given hints about the detectives’ own prejudices and assumptions as they question Mary and analyze the evidence.

Moreover, their incapacity to look behind Mary’s façade highlights the shortcomings of their research strategy and offers a critique of the brittleness of human judgment.

Themes In Lamb to the Slaughter

Betrayal and revenge.

Mary’s learning of her husband’s adultery sparks her journey into darkness, highlighting the topic of betrayal. Dahl examines the effects of betrayal and the hazy boundaries between justice and retribution as Mary painstakingly prepares and carries out her retaliation.

Mary’s actions were stunning, which emphasizes the damage betrayal does to relationships and the extent people would go to in order to exact revenge.

Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Dahl deftly explores the concept of deception throughout the narrative, as Mary hides her actual motivations under an act of innocence.

In addition, the theme that looks can be deceiving is furthered by the contrast between Mary’s exterior and her inner thoughts and behaviors.

Dahl asks readers to consider their views of reality and the veracity of appearances through Mary’s deception of the truth and her ability to outwit the police.

Justice and Morality

Through Mary’s wrongdoing, Dahl challenges readers to consider the nuances of morality and justice. Even though one can perceive Mary’s conduct as morally dubious, her motivations and the circumstances of the crime raise significant ethical problems.

Moreover, Dahl invites readers to ask themselves if Mary’s actions are morally acceptable in the face of injustice and betrayal as the narrative progresses, challenging conventional ideas of good and wrong.

Gender Roles and Power Dynamics

“Lamb to the Slaughter” delves at the power dynamics and gender roles in marriage and society. Mary defies assumptions and prejudices by going from being a subservient wife to a crafty perpetrator, emphasizing the idea of empowerment.

Furthermore, Dahl gently challenges gender norms and expectations in society, implying that people might rebel against stereotypes and express their agency in novel ways.

Irony and Dark Humor

Dahl adds layers of complexity and depth to the narrative by infused the story with black comedy and irony. A sense of black comedy is produced by the ridiculousness of Mary’s crime as well as the incapacity and ignorance of the police.

Dahl draws readers into an exciting and gripping investigation of human nature and the capricious turns of fate through sardonic turns of events and shocking discoveries.

Finally, Roald Dahl’s “Lamb to the Slaughter” skillfully examines themes of treachery, deceit, and the unpredictable aspect of human nature.

In addition, the story’s compelling plot and nuanced cast of characters make readers think about the ramifications of treachery and the hazy boundaries between retribution and justice.

Furthermore, “Lamb to the Slaughter” never fails to enthrall viewers with its dark humor and surprising turns, serving as a constant reminder of Dahl’s storytelling prowess.

The phrase “Lamb to the Slaughter” means being led to a situation where one is in imminent danger or harm without realizing it.

“Lamb to the Slaughter” is a work of fiction by Roald Dahl and not based on a true story.

The story “Lamb to the Slaughter” revolves around a woman who murders her husband with a frozen leg of lamb and then cleverly conceals the crime.

The main message of “Lamb to the Slaughter” is the unpredictability of human behavior and the consequences of betrayal.

The moral lesson of “Lamb to the Slaughter” is that appearances can be deceiving, and revenge can have unexpected consequences.

Lamb to the Slaughter is not typically categorized as a horror story, but it does contain elements of suspense and dark humor.

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• Feb 13, 2022

From Feminine to Fatal: A Feminist Approach to Roald Dahl’s “Lamb to the Slaughter”

Throughout the years, women have been overpowered, oppressed and silenced. The act of “angel of the house” was the personae that women adopted while, behind closed doors, they endured unjust and cruel treatments. Literature, mostly written by men, rarely portrays these struggles and tends to sugarcoat the harsh reality of the sexist and patriarchal societies. However, there are rare exceptions. Although Roald Dahl is known for specializing in children’s literature, he wrote a collection of shocking, mind-twisting and unforgettable short stories. This article will analyze one of these fictions, “Lamb to the slaughter”, from a feminist point of view, focusing on the central figure of the story, Mary Maloney. In this narrative, MaryMaloney starts off as the victim, but quickly become a sly, vengeful and unapologetic murderer.

To begin with, Dahl begins his story with the familiar childish tone that he employs in most of his works. Mrs. Maloney is described as a typical housewife: she spends her days doing chores, patiently waiting for her husband to come home, and, most importantly, expecting a child. When the book begins, she is sewing, a common and domestic activity for a housewife. As soon as her husband’s car enters the driveway, her mood shifts, and she excitedly attends to his every need, highlighting her submissive and obedient nature. On the other hand, he is not reciprocating her care and affection, which doesn’t seem to strike her as odd. It isn’t until he orders her to sit down for a chat that she “began to get frightened” (Dahl, 1953).This fear allows the audience to believe in Mrs. Maloney’s innocence and helplessness, making her eventual crime that much more striking.

Figure 2: Photograph of the film Lambs to the slaughter by Alfred Hitchcock (1958)

This short story is built on ironies. Starting from the very beginning of the tale, the wife is comically ecstatic with the mere presence of her husband, so her attitude mocks the social stereotypes of the devoted wife and the cold husband: “She loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man” (Dahl, 1953).However, the main irony lies in the title of Dahl’s work: the lamb leg. The reader can sense the literary comedy in the fact that a dinner, often associated with the realm of women, turns into a weapon used to fight the patriarchy. According to Jaber (2016):

There is perversity and absurdity in the way that a leg of lamb (intended to be cooked for dinner) is turned into a murder weapon and how after it becomes a murder weapon it is tuned back to be a dinner meal.(pp.1173-1174)

The lamb leg comes full circle, and disappears from existence.Furthermore, the choice of animal in the story holds a certain ironical paradox. Joshi (2015) states that “When an individual is innocent, trusting and has no clue that another is trying to take advantage of him or her, that is like leading a lamb to the slaughter”. He continues by arguing that, at first, one tends to believe that Mary is very naïve and clueless, but later the reader comes to realize that she is cleverer and stronger than she seems.

The illusion of the perfect, happily-married couple quickly vanishes as Patrick declares that he intends on leaving his pregnant wife as soon as possible. He proceeds to appease her pain and shock by assuring her that he will be financing her and their unborn child. This compensation feels frail after witnessing Mary’s attention and care towards her working husband; this offer even feels humiliating and degrading to a woman whose heart has just been shattered. Patrick’s behavior only strengthens the need of audience to sympathize with Mary and to understand her motivations. The roles here are reversed, as we pity the murderess and abhor the victim. Additionally, the feminist power of this story lies in its eventual effect on the reader: as Mary gets away with her crime and slightly “giggles”, the reader celebrates her victory and even feels relieved.

Figure 3: Oil painting of Lamb to the Slaughter by Math Metivier (n.d)

Having heard the news, Mrs. Maloney quickly goes through the stages of grief: at first, she is in complete and utter denial: “Her first instinct was not to believe any of it, to reject it all” (Dahl, 1953). However, the next stage of grief, anger, is manifested through the murder itself rather than through verbal aggression. The act itself feels rather effortless and easy, even humorous to Mary: “the funny thing was that he remained standing there for at least four or five seconds, gently swaying” (Dahl, 1953).

Mrs. Maloney has no time to bargain and, thus, skips the third stage as she quickly develops a plan to find herself an alibi to escape punishment. Even within these brief moments of panic, Mary’s maternal instincts get the best of her, as she is mostly worried about the future of her child. Her affectionate side resurfaces once more during the story as she attains the fourth stage: depression. Remembering the love she had for Patrick and his sudden death brings Mary to a brief breaking point. Here the reader witness Mary’s true feelings after several instances of fake surprise and sadness: “No acting was necessary” (Dahl, 1953). This sentence is short, but effective as it highlights the depth of her previously concealed emotions. What really stands out in this narrative is that the final stage of grief precedes the rest of them, as Mary comes to the sudden and conclusive deduction that she has killed her husband. This acceptance is what drives the plot forward, but it also portrays Mary as a strong, unconventional woman that is able to switch so quickly from a loving and caring wife to a psychopathic killer.

To sum up, Dahl’s “Lamb to the Slaughter” is a captivating short story that challenges the traditional gender norms in only a few pages. By killing her husband, Mary is seen as an unconventional, powerful and feminist woman that would not allow her spouse to walk away freely, abandoning her and their unborn child. Jaber (2016) mentions in her article that Dahl “combines horror, shock, and absurdity in a way that reinforces the effect of his work”. By using irony and dark humor, the author addresses the issues of gender inequality, patriarchy and transfer of power. References

Dahl, R. (2012). Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) . Penguin UK.

Jaber. (2016). The Female Avenger: Violence, Absurdity, and Black Humour in Roald Dahl's Short stories. Journal of the College of Education for Women , 27 (3).

Joshi, D. P. (2015). Portrayal of Different Shades of Marital Life in The Lost Jewels and Lamb to the Slaughter: A thematic study. European Academic Research , 3 (2).

Pictures References

Figure 1. Chia, Roxanne (2011) Kelly Reemtsen’s ladies [Digital Illustration], Flickr.

Figure 2. Hitchcock, Alfred (1958) Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Lamb to the Slaughter . [Photograph] United States, Shamley Productions, CBS Productions.

Figure 3. Metivier, Math (n.d) Lamb to the Slaughter [Oil Painting], ArtStation.

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This is disgusting. Murder is not ok. Women were not even treated that bad.

Something tells me that this article is very very feminist

Charming and beautifully creepy. The perfect woman may not exist, but the perfect crime does.

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Literature Studies: “Lamb to The Slaughter” by Roald Dahl Essay

Patrick is a detective who punctually arrives home to his wife. She always offers him a cold drink and allows him to take it peacefully. However, on this fateful day, the unusual happened and Patrick presumably told Mary, his wife, they were going to part ways. The series of events following this announcement led to Patrick’s death and an investigation into his death. This paper looks into Mary Maloney’s nature and her controlling characteristic as narrated by Dahl.

Dahl begins the story by introducing a wife, Mary Maloney, who is in a warm room waiting for her husband (Dahl). From the onset, Mary is depicted as a dedicated and dutiful wife with much love for her spouse. Despite signs pointing to anxiety, her occasional glances at the watch, she is calm.

Mary also comes across as keen to detail, she knows exactly when her husband comes home every day. Mary is composed, loving, and meticulous. However, in all her character traits, her attention to detail appears to contribute a significant share to her overall character.

The opening paragraphs clearly inform the reader that Mrs. Maloney is observant. She knows precisely what time her husband arrives since she begins to listen for signs of Patrick’s arrival. “When the clock said ten minutes to five … a few moments later, punctually as always…” (Dahl). She is rewarded by the sound of car tires outside the house. She can also tell that the second drink Patrick made for himself is stronger by just looking at it.

Her meticulous nature is called upon when she realizes that she has killed Patrick. Mary knows that if found at the crime scene without an alibi, she would end up as the prime suspect. A possibility of being charged for murder does not frighten her. Mary’s only fear is for the unborn child she is carrying (Dahl). To protect her soon to be born baby:

“She carried the meat into the kitchen, put it into a pan, turned on the oven… she washed her hands, ran upstairs, sat down in front of the mirror, fixed her makeup, and tried to smile … That was better. Both the smile and the voice sounded better now. She practiced them several times more” (Dahl).

Heading to the grocery, she bought what she needed. Her keen eye for detail plays out above and further highlighted by her knowledge of Patrick’s favorite dessert.

After the police arrived and began a thorough investigation, they realized that Mr. Maloney died from a blow to his back. As Mary cries in the house, Dahl gives the reader a hint to her diabolical plan. By cooking the “murder weapon”, she has partially destroyed any evidence linking her to Patrick’s death. However, it is not destroyed completely yet.

First, she offers the detectives a drink, possibly alcoholic and bids her time. Jack reminds her of the oven that is still running. She feigned surprise and with a teary face gently offers the officers to eat the murder weapon. Her mission to protect her unborn child appears accomplished when the police decide to finish the lamb. The story ends with Mary laughing at the remark by a police officer that the murder weapon was probably right under their noses.

Works Cited

Dahl, Roald. “Lamb to The Slaughter.” Harper’s Magazine. 1953. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2023, October 31). Literature Studies: "Lamb to The Slaughter" by Roald Dahl. https://ivypanda.com/essays/literature-studies-lamb-to-the-slaughter-by-roald-dahl/

"Literature Studies: "Lamb to The Slaughter" by Roald Dahl." IvyPanda , 31 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/literature-studies-lamb-to-the-slaughter-by-roald-dahl/.

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IvyPanda . 2023. "Literature Studies: "Lamb to The Slaughter" by Roald Dahl." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/literature-studies-lamb-to-the-slaughter-by-roald-dahl/.

1. IvyPanda . "Literature Studies: "Lamb to The Slaughter" by Roald Dahl." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/literature-studies-lamb-to-the-slaughter-by-roald-dahl/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Literature Studies: "Lamb to The Slaughter" by Roald Dahl." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/literature-studies-lamb-to-the-slaughter-by-roald-dahl/.

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Lamb to the Slaughter

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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, whisky. Fresh ice cubes in the Thermos bucket. Mary Maloney was waiting for her husband to come home from work.

There was a slow smiling air about her, and about everything she did. The drop of the head as she bent over her sewing was curiously tranquil. Her skin—for this was her sixth month with child—had acquired a wonderful translucent quality, the mouth was soft, and the eyes, with their new placid look, seemed larger, darker than before.

She knew he didn’t want to speak much until the first drink was finished, and she, on her side, was content to sit quietly, enjoying his company after the long hours alone in the house. She loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man, and to feel—almost as a sunbather feels the sun—that warm male glow that came out of him to her when they were alone together.

And I know it’s kind of a bad time to be telling you, but there simply wasn’t any other way. Of course I’ll give you money and see you’re looked after. But there needn’t really be any fuss. I hope not anyway. It wouldn’t be very good for my job.

At that point, Mary Maloney simply walked up behind him and without any pause she swung the big frozen leg of lamb high in the air and brought it down as hard as she could on the back of his head. She might just as well have hit him with a steel club. She stepped back a pace, waiting, and the funny thing was that he remained standing there for at least four or five seconds, gently swaying. Then he crashed to the carpet.

It was extraordinary, now, how clear her mind became all of a sudden. She began thinking very fast. As the wife of a detective, she knew quite well what the penalty would be. That was fine. It made no difference to her. In fact, it would be a relief. On the other hand, what about the child? What were the laws about murderers with unborn children? Did they kill them both—mother and child? Or did they wait until the tenth month? What did they do? Mary Maloney didn’t know. And she certainly wasn’t prepared to take a chance.

The two detectives remained, and so did the two policemen. They were exceptionally nice to her, and Jack Noonan asked if she wouldn't rather go somewhere else, to her sister’s house perhaps, or to his own wife who would take care of her and put her up for the night.

Sometimes Jack Noonan spoke to her gently as he passed by. Her husband, he told her, had been killed by a blow on the back of the head administered with a heavy blunt instrument, almost certainly a large piece of metal. They were looking for the weapon. The murderer may have taken it with him, but on the other hand he may’ve thrown it away or hidden it somewhere on the premises.

“It’s the old story,” he said. “Get the weapon, and you’ve got the man.”

“Here you all are, and good friends of dear Patrick’s too, and helping to catch the man who killed him. You must be terribly hungry by now because it’s long past your supper time, and I know Patrick would never forgive me, God bless his soul, if I allowed you to remain in his house without offering you decent hospitality. Why don’t you eat up that lamb that’s in the oven? It’ll be cooked just right by now.”

The woman stayed where she was, listening to them through the open door, and she could hear them speaking among themselves, their voices thick and sloppy because their mouths were full of meat. … “That’s the hell of a big club the guy must’ve used to hit poor Patrick,” one of them was saying. “The doc says his skull was smashed all to pieces just like from a sledge-hammer.” … “Personally, I think it’s right here on the premises. “Probably right under our very noses. What you think, Jack?” And in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle.

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Lamb to The Slaughter

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Lamb to the Slaughter Thesis + 1 Analysis

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Lamb to the Slaughter In the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter”, author Roald Dahl conveys his feelings that the troubles in life can be solved by analyzing the situation before acting, that you should appreciate what you have, and that ultimately that everyone is a lamb, all with the power to break free of their control.

To reinforce his lesson on planning out a situation, Roald Dahl uses examples of the outcomes of situations with and without rational thinking; he first begins with an example of the negative effects of rash decisions. “…Mary Maloney simply walked up behind him and without any pause…brought it down as hard as she could.” In the heat of the moment, Mary was blinded from proper judgment by her onslaught of emotions towards her husband. If Mary had stopped and thought rationally about her predicament, she most likely would not have to deal with the fact that she murdered her husband. On the other hand, Roald Dahl gives his main character a chance to redeem her previous poor decision making. “What were the laws about murderers with unborn children? Did the kill them both-mother and child?”

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Once Mary came to the conclusion that her baby’s life was on the line, she was not going to take a chance. She calculated her actions, and after thinking about the best solution, concocted a solution to her crisis. She cleverly creates an alibi for herself, demonstrating the positive outcomes of rational thinking. Also, Mary once again demonstrates the advantages of processing a situation before acting when she decides to rid herself of the murder weapon. “Please eat it…It’d be a favor to me if you’d eat it up. Then you can go on with your work again afterwards.” Knowing that the officers are searching for the weapon and she still has it, Mary develops an extraordinary plan to rid herself of the evidence. Her well thought out plan emphasize the positive outcomes of rational thinking by not only riding her of the lamb leg, but by also reinforcing the officers’ belief that she is innocent. Outline:

Thesis- In the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter”, author Roald Dahl conveys his feelings that the troubles in life can be solved by analyzing the situation before acting, that you should appreciate what you have, and that ultimately that everyone is a lamb, all with the power to break free of their control. TS1- Roald Dahl provides positive and negative example of rational thinking. CD1- “…walked up behind him…as hard as she could”.

CM1- Mary was blinded by her emotions.

CM2- If she had planned better, the situation may have gone a lot better. CD2-“What were the laws about murderers with unborn children? Did the kill them both-mother and child?” CM1- Was not going to take a chance now that her unborn baby is on the line. CM2- Thinking allows her to come up with an alibi.

CD3- “Please eat it…It’d be a favor to me if you’d eat it up. Then you can go on with your work again afterwards.” CM1- Mary realizes that she needs to dispose of the murder weapon. CM2- Rational thinking not only rids the evidence, but also solidifies the officers’ assumption that she is innocent. TS2- Roald Dahl also provides literary evidence to support that you should value the things you have. CD1- “Of course I’ll give you money and see you’re looked after. But there needn’t really be any fuss.” CM1- The thought of divorce had no weight on Mr. Maloney.

CM2- His lack of value towards his wife’s love led to his death. CD2- “And in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle.” CM1- She giggled because she never knew she had the strength to do something like this on her own. CM2- The newfound feeling of empowerment had not been present until she valued her own abilities. TS3- Everyone is a lamb, all with the ability to break free of control. CD1- “…he remained standing there for at least four or five seconds, gently swaying. Then he crashed to the carpet.” CM1- Patrick Maloney was simply a lamb, clueless to the fact that he was to be slaughtered. CM2- He had the power to try and work things out, but failed, resulting in his untimely death. CD2- “All right, she told herself. So I’ve killed him.” CM1- She was the lamb to be slaughtered by her controller, Mr. Maloney. CM2- She rose above and seized control from her metaphorical butcher. Conclusion: Roald Dahl uses his characters to portray his personal views that troubles in life can be solved by rationalizing the situation before making a decision, that you should appreciate what you have, and that ultimately that everyone is a lamb, all with the power to break free of their control.

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Makeshift slaughterhouse in a residential garage points to growing concerns about illicit meat sales

Lack of inspection, unsanitary conditions raise risk of food-borne illness, says expert.

Social Sharing

Inside a garage in an established Edmonton neighbourhood, animals were being slaughtered and the meat was advertised for sale to consumers, a CBC News investigation has learned.

Police entered the rented garage in the quiet residential Woodcroft community in February 2023. Images shared with CBC News show piles of goat carcasses, tubs of blood and the remains of a skinned baby goat on a makeshift slaughter table.

Neighbour John Bos told CBC News that the sounds of bleating goats first alerted him to unusual activity in the garage. 

He contacted the owner of the property when he saw goats being unloaded from a truck. Bos said he was surprised by the way the goats were handled.

"They're using two-by-fours, prodding them along. Like, I thought that's kind of weird," he said.

The next morning, things got stranger when he saw several goats bolting down the back alley. Bos says he called Edmonton's animal control officers and then stepped outside to get a closer look. 

Through the open garage door, he witnessed what he calls a shocking sight.

"What I seen almost made me throw up. There was goat parts everywhere. Blood on the wall. It was gross," he said. 

"Like legs, heads.… There was a little one on the table, it was all skinned, but you could tell it was a little baby lamb or baby goat. It just made my heart sick."

• 7 halal meat outlets closed in Calgary as RCMP investigate unlawful slaughter and sale

Edmonton animal control officers arrived and rounded up four goats that had escaped, as well as several live goats from the garage, Bos said.

A post published at the time to a Facebook group for the Edmonton Muslim community offered "young fresh goats" and beef for $6 per kilogram. "Everything is halal," the post stated. It included a phone number and the address of the Woodcroft garage. 

The Facebook post was taken down soon after police cleared out the garage. 

CBC contacted the renter, Yusef Izairi, by phone on Wednesday. Izairi said he was slaughtering the animals for friends, given the high meat prices at commercial butchers and grocery stores. When asked several times about offering meat for purchase on social media, he repeated that he was helping to serve his community and that he was not selling it.

Izairi says between 10 and 12 goats were slaughtered in the garage. He says friends purchased the animals from farms.

Edmonton police investigated but no charges were laid, a spokesperson told CBC News in early April. The spokesperson declined to offer any further comment. 

A spokesperson for Edmonton Animal Care and Control has also confirmed the incident but referred questions to the police.

Multiple agencies investigating

The slaughter and sale of uninspected meat is a growing problem, said Ron Wiebe, an Alberta Agriculture inspection and investigations manager for southern Alberta. In an emailed statement to CBC News, Wiebe confirmed that there are ongoing investigations throughout the province.

The sale of uninspected meat has increased in recent years, he said.

Cuts of beef from illicit sources can be purchased for less than half the cost that would be paid for meat produced by a federally or provincially inspected slaughterhouse.

CBC News uncovers makeshift slaughterhouse in Edmonton garage

Last week, health inspectors ordered the closure of six Calgary halal grocers, a catering company and a provincial warehouse and distribution centre as a result of the ongoing investigation. An RCMP spokesperson said the investigation into the illegal slaughter and sale of sheep and goats began last fall.

On Tuesday, Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued a news release warning of a significant health risk associated with meat products purchased from the eight businesses. It advised anyone who purchased meat, or meat products from the establishments to dispose of it and watch for any symptoms of gastrointestinal bacterial infection.

AHS added in the statement that it is collaborating with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, RCMP, Alberta Health and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation in the ongoing investigation into the Calgary meat shops.

Serious risk to human health

The AHS warning echoes the concerns of Lynn McMullen, a retired professor of food microbiology and food safety at the University of Alberta, who says meat produced at uninspected abattoirs poses a serious risk to human health. 

Even with Canada's inspection system, meat tainted with E.coli, listeria or other bacteria that have health implications for humans can make it to market. In the absence of inspections,  the risk rises, she said.

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And once a pathogen enters the consumer food chain, it is difficult to detect and nearly impossible to trace back to the source, she said.

"When they inspect restaurants, for example, they inspect once or twice a year. That's a snapshot," McMullen said. 

"How do we know that the rest of the time they're doing things accordingly and doing things safely? We don't."

Similarly, if an establishment — for example, a butcher, restaurant, caterer or wholesaler — is supplementing inspected meat with other sources, inspectors can have a hard time detecting it.

"If there's meat in a cooler, how does the inspector know where it came from? Unless they can show them their receipts and purchase requisitions, that sort of thing. But that's today. What happens tomorrow could be very different."

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, food-borne bacteria, parasites and viruses cause about four million illnesses, 11,600 hospitalizations and 238 deaths per year. In 60 per cent of cases, the source of the food poisoning is never traced.

In the case of meat that comes from an uninspected source, there is no information tracking where it has been sold. This makes it difficult for health officials to prove whether uninspected meat is the source of an outbreak, she said.

"A lot of these cases are sporadic, so they don't get linked to something. It's very, very difficult to say that this organism came from this food source, from this person, unless we have that food source."

Other charges laid for illegal slaughter and sale

There are several ongoing court cases in Alberta over the slaughter and sale of uninspected meat. 

Two men from central Alberta, near the town of Didsbury, Alta., are facing charges of illegal slaughter, and selling, transporting and delivering uninspected meat. They made their first court appearance on March 25.

In March 2023, RCMP said it investigated the sale of meat coming from sick and injured cattle. Officers found 36 dead calves, more than 100 tags from slaughtered cows and discarded livestock body parts outside a facility located in Wheatland County in southern Alberta. RCMP photos show discarded body parts piled in a snow-covered heap.

Peter Wiebe is charged with causing unnecessary suffering to animals and selling uninspected meat.

Wiebe's operation had an on-farm slaughter permit, RCMP said, but Alberta's meat inspection act does not permit uninspected meat to be sold to the public.

Specific regulations vary from province to province, but all meat entering the consumer system must be inspected either federally or provincially.

'A very serious big deal'

Risk management consultant Neil LeMay, a former RCMP officer and deputy chief of Alberta Sheriffs, said he believes stolen animals are part of the underground illicit meat supply chain. He recently conducted an investigation for a client into Alberta's red meat industry, which did not include the cases described in this story. 

He described the conclusions of his investigation as "troubling."

LeMay began looking into criminal activity in the meat industry following a CBC News report last year into cattle thefts in Alberta.

• For as long as there have been cattle, people have been stealing them. But the problem is getting worse

LeMay says the co-ordination it takes to steal, transport, slaughter and then sell stolen livestock has all the hallmarks of organized crime, in that it requires a sophisticated network to make it happen.

"I think it's a very serious big deal," LeMay said. 

In 2023, the Alberta RCMP's livestock division investigated about 50 cattle thefts, including one case where 85 cattle were taken from a remote field.

The RCMP in Saskatchewan investigated 34 cattle thefts last year, for a total of 148 cases since 2020. Cattle thefts are not specifically tracked by RCMP in British Columbia.

The Alberta RCMP employs two livestock investigators. B.C. and Saskatchewan have one each. 

"We have all the laws we need on the books," LeMay said. 

"We need investment in enforcement. We need boots on the ground … on the cattle rustling side and on the meat processing side, to enforce those laws."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Network News Producer

Terry Reith is CBC's network news producer based in Edmonton. He's also served as the network's medical reporter, and senior writer for the consumer section of cbc.ca. Reith joined the CBC in 1992 as a local radio and television reporter.

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