Comparing The signalman to Lamb to the slaughter Essay Example

warm, clean, and well-lit with two table lamps hers and the one by the empty chair opposite.

The story "The Signalman" is set in a valley-like location alongside a train track, creating an ominous atmosphere due to the isolated and gloomy surroundings. As stated by the narrator, it is "as solitary and dismal a place as ever" seen. Despite being written in different centuries, there are notable differences between these stories. For instance, "Lamb to the Slaughter" is presented in third person with extensive direct speech while "The Signalman" employs first-person narration with limited use of direct speech. Nevertheless, the addition of direct speech enhances the story's appeal and makes it more captivating. Furthermore, Dickens' use of archaic language contributes to increasing its eerie effect.

Although Dahl and Dickens had different intentions for their stories, both conveyed morals. Dahl took a humorous approach while still delivering a moral message, proving that not all morality tales must be serious. In contrast, Dickens warned readers against new technology like trains through his cautionary tale. Despite these differences in style and purpose, both authors utilized main characters who struggled with self-doubt and incorporated violence and death to captivate audiences and prompt reflection.

Examples such as "she might as well have hit him with a steel club" and "I was not sure, I told him that I did fully understand" demonstrate the equal significance of both first person and third person narratives. In 1866, Dickens used his story about a train killing an individual to express his opposition to new inventions like trains, which he deemed dangerous. Dahl's story, on the other hand, focuses on the morality of murder and distinguishing between

right and wrong. By using Mary Maloney as an example, Dahl illustrates how a momentary impulse can lead to murder and even cause harm to someone they love due to anger.

Both writers convey in their stories that modern technology is not always beneficial, as seen with examples such as trains and forensic science (specifically, fingerprinting). While Dahl's writing is more up to date and geared towards a contemporary audience, with his work frequently adapted for television and radio, he assumes his readers have a grasp of what typical households look like due to their exposure to media. This is due to Dahl's story being composed in 1979, following the invention of television and radio. As evidenced by the line "she carried it upstairs, holding the thin bone-end of it with both her hands, and she went through the living room she saw him," Dahl opted for minimal description of the living room and stairs as they would be similar to those depicted in other suburban households shown in popular media.

In 1866, when Dickens shared his ghost story with his audience, books and written words were the only means to create an exciting mental image. As a result, he provided a detailed account that included descriptive language about a fire, desk for official books, telegraphic instrument with its dial, face, and needles, and little bell. While "The signalman" and "Lamb to the Slaughter" differ in genre - one being supernatural and the other not - both authors had serious motives behind their writing. They aimed to convey that modern science and technology do not provide all of life's answers. Both stories involve central characters who seem

to have lost their minds; they also include violence and death as attention-grabbing elements before concluding with unexpected twists. Although "Lamb to the Slaughter" ends humorously despite leaving readers on a cliffhanger note while "The signalman" leaves them contemplating its conclusion.