Comparing Two Murderers: Lamb to the Slaughter and Vendetta
Comparing Two Murderers: Lamb to the Slaughter and Vendetta

Comparing Two Murderers: Lamb to the Slaughter and Vendetta

Available Only on StudyHippo
Topics:
  • Pages: 4 (877 words)
  • Published: August 30, 2016
  • Type: Essay
View Entire Sample
Text preview

The purpose of this essay is to provide a comprehensive examination and evaluation of the principal characters in 'Lamb to the Slaughter' and 'Vendetta'.

Both stories feature female protagonists seeking revenge against someone they despise. Additionally, these women are both murderers. Surprisingly, the authors create an initial tone that does not suggest the upcoming events. This unexpected twist can be attributed to the fact that no one would expect an ordinary housewife or elderly widow to commit such atrocious acts. I believe the author purposefully crafted this plot twist to maintain readers' curiosity.

The opening scene of 'Lamb to Slaughter' depicts a cozy and inviting setting. The room is tidy and cozy, with closed curtains and two table lamps illuminating the space - one next to the protagonist and another near an unoccupied chair. This portray

...

al establishes a romantic ambiance. During the 1950s, numerous women were dedicated housewives who didn't have jobs outside of their homes. Consequently, they spent their entire days indoors, detached from the working world. These women were perceived by society as pure, unknowing, and inexperienced.

The language and level of detail in 'Lamb to the Slaughter' differs greatly from 'Vendetta'. The opening of 'Vendetta' provides more description, allowing the reader to visualize the setting. For example, 'The house of widow Saverini, clinging to the very edge...' This quote creates suspense and drama, which contrasts with the language used in 'Lamb to the Slaughter'. In 'Lamb to the Slaughter', the author uses simpler language, as seen in the sentence 'Mary Maloney was waiting for her husband to come in from work.'

Both main characters in the two stories

View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

go through a shift from love to anger when their loved ones are taken away. For example, Widow Saverini refuses to believe her son is dead and convinces herself that he is only sleeping. She passionately declares, "Never fear, my boy, my little baby, you shall be avenged. Sleep, sleep; you shall be avenged." Instead of grieving traditionally, she decides to seek justice by planning to kill her son's killer. It seems that she feels a strong sense of responsibility in carrying out this act.

Mary Maloney's profound love for her husband in "Lamb to the Slaughter" gradually transforms into intense hatred as she adores every aspect of his existence, even the most mundane ones. However, her emotions take a drastic turn when she learns that Patrick no longer desires her company.

Both stories feature characters who employ unconventional weapons to murder their victims. Mary Maloney opts for a 'Lamb', a choice that is noteworthy due to the lamb's association with innocence and new beginnings. By killing her husband with a lamb, Mary Maloney ironically creates her own fresh start. Roald Dahl cleverly uses an oxymoron in the story's title, as the contrasting words 'lamb' and 'slaughter' evoke opposite effects. While 'slaughter' conveys negativity, 'lamb' suggests positivity and happiness. On the other hand, Widow Saverini trains her dog to carry out her killings, portraying dogs as dedicated and loyal companions to their masters.

Both women possess the ability to deceive and scheme without leaving any evidence. In 'Vendetta', the woman taught herself to harm someone and consume them without leaving a trace. The word 'devour' vividly portrays the act of greedily and

rapidly consuming something. Conversely, in 'Lamb to the Slaughter', Mary Maloney demonstrates her cunning by quickly fabricating a story that convinces the police of her innocence. This differs from 'Vendetta' where the woman spent three months training her dog for a victorious battle.

Both Mary Maloney and Widow Saverini considered the potential consequences of their actions but still decided to destroy the evidence. In "Vendetta", Widow Saverini expressed her determination to avenge her son's death, stating, "Never fear, my boy, my little baby, you shall be avenged." Similarly, Mary Maloney devised her plan with her child's safety in mind. Being married to a detective made her aware of the severe penalty she would face if caught. Nonetheless, she couldn't bear losing her child. Despite both being murderers, readers sympathize with them due to their love for their children.

Both narratives conclude with the protagonists successfully concealing their crimes. Both stories' closing lines demonstrate that the characters are content despite having committed felonies. In "Lamb to the Slaughter," Mary Maloney takes great pleasure in tricking the detectives into eating the lamb, which serves as evidence against her. The line "And in the other room, Mary Maloney giggled" is a prime example of dramatic irony, as readers are aware of Mary Maloney's clever plan while the characters are oblivious.

In the conclusion of 'Vendetta', the elderly woman is shown to be at peace and without remorse. She peacefully rests, indicating her contentment with her actions. Earlier, it was mentioned that she had trouble sleeping because of her strong desire for revenge against Nicholas Ravolati. However, once she successfully executed her plan, she felt a

sense of relief and viewed his death as a necessary duty.

In summary, both authors have employed different methods to depict their protagonists, utilizing language and setting. Nevertheless, both characters exhibit an inclination to engage in criminal activities, displaying a lack of remorse and defying the stereotypes associated with women during their respective eras.

Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New