Mary Patrick Maloney Lamb To The Slaughter

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In the short story "Lamb to the Slaughter", the main characters would undoubtedly be Mrs. Maloney and her husband Patrick Maloney. Mary could be well described as the housewife, six months pregnant, clean and organized, and adoring of her husband. Patrick Maloney, a policeman of whom we know very little about, has been an officer for many years. The author uses suspense and imagery to create ironic situations. In the opening of the story the description as we are introduced to Mary awaiting her husbands arrival lures us into the image of the ideal american home. She is a pregnant housewife sewing in her living room. The imagery used by the author to describe Mary Maloney was larger,darker,placid looking eyes, beautiful skin and soft mouthed. We even et a description of the items in the living room such as the sideboard, whiskey, tall glasses, sodawater, and the fresh ice cubes.…show more content…
Mary takes his coat as he sips the drink she had prepared for him. As Mary continues to attempt to cater to Partrick, she finds herself lost in deep thought of how much she loved him. Again not much about Patrick is revealed so our first impression of him is that he comes across as a distant husband who has lost interest. Of course as a reader one would wonder what is wrong by the manner in which he tosses back the two drinks or whiskey. Mary is excited to be able to talk to her husband now and sees opportunity to start conversation. Patrick continuously decliines her many attempts to feed him. Finally Patrick says to Mary "Sit down. I've got something to tell you." The rreading never actually fully discloses what Patrick confessed. Whatever the news might have been devasteted Mary Maloney. Patrick goes on to say "and i know its kind of a bad time to be telling you, but there simply isnt any other

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