The Speckled Bank vs The Lamb to the Slaughter Essay Example
The Speckled Bank is a short story from the 19th Century by the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which is part of a collection that depicts the renowned Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr Watson. The mention of a "dog cart" as a means of transportation within the story clearly indicates the time period in which it takes place.
Confirming the date to be prior to 1900 is the use of archaic language such as "very sorry to knock you up" and "my dear fellow." In stark contrast is Roald Dahl's 'The Lamb to the Slaughter,' a story set in the 20th Century, evident through references to modern appliances such as the oven and freezer. The victim, a policeman, even had a car as indicated by the sound of tires on gravel and a slamming car door.
The use of language in the dialogue of The Speckled Bank differs greatly from that of the other st
...ory mentioned, with the modernized term "Hullo" indicating a trend towards sentence abbreviation. Meanwhile, The Speckled Bank employs more complex sentence structures. Despite both stories featuring murder, their styles are quite contrasting, with The Speckled Bank adhering to more traditional murder story conventions.
Dr Grimesby Roylott is an archetypal killer, having previously served time in jail due to his bad temper. He shares a sizeable residence with his two stepdaughters whom he treats harshly. One of the daughters purportedly announced her intention to wed, but subsequently passed away under inexplicable circumstances a few weeks later.
The individual who reached out to Sherlock Holmes was the stepdaughter who managed to survive. Roylott's physical appearance is comparable to that of a fierce predatory bird. He possesse
a tough demeanor, and may even be oblivious to his own strength. Roylott had a motive for his actions; if either of his stepdaughters married, he would be required to pay £1000 each year. Additionally, he is able to shift responsibility onto the gypsies whom he permits to use his land.
The culprit in The Lamb to the Slaughter stands out for several reasons. Notably, she is a pregnant police officer's spouse. While The Speckled Band revolves around identifying the killer of a daughter, The Lamb to the Slaughter's suspense lies in whether or not the perpetrator will be apprehended. Furthermore, the story's irony stems from the fact that she uses a leg of lamb to end her husband's life and the investigating officers unknowingly consume the evidence.
A policeman eating the leg of lamb said, "I bet it's right under our noses" about the murder weapon, making the police appear foolish. The two murders, one in The Speckled Bank and the other in The Lamb to the Slaughter, were different in planning, victim gender, and motive. The Speckled Bank was motivated by greed, while The Lamb to the Slaughter was driven by anger after hearing bad news.
The Lamb to the Slaughter and The Speckled Bank portray different views on characters and their actions. The husband in The Lamb to the Slaughter may have instigated the attack, but it's uncertain as the audience is left unaware of what was said. In contrast, Julia Stoner is completely innocent. Though some may pity Mary Maloney, the same doesn't apply to Roylott. Additionally, the portrayal of the police contrasts in the two stories with The Lamb to the Slaughter depicting
them as unintelligent while Sherlock Holmes is showcased in The Speckled Bank using his deduction skills to solve both mysteries. To further support this idea, Sherlock Holmes is described using lengthy words and admired for his ability to analyze a situation.
Holmes demonstrates his perceptiveness early on when he observes Helen's reaction to discovering her injured wrist. This indicates his sharp attention to detail. In contrast, the murder case Holmes investigates involves a more intricate approach involving a venomous serpent, surpassing the simplicity of using a leg of lamb as a weapon.
In The Lamb to the Slaughter, unlike in The Speckled Band, the police did not focus on identifying the perpetrator because the victim was a police officer who had numerous adversaries. The officer did not suspect Mary due to their previous acquaintance and his prejudiced attitude. Additionally, he lacked creativity in locating the murder weapon. The most prominent difference between the narratives is that one murderer successfully committed the crime while the other did not.
While The Speckled Bank provides a comprehensive explanation, The Lamb to the Slaughter leaves one pondering about the husband's words that drove Mary to commit the murder.
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