Lamb To The Slaughter And The Speckled Band Analysis Essay Example

approached by Helen Stoner, a young woman who is about to get married, regarding strange events that preceded her sister's mysterious death before her own wedding. Holmes follows his typical detective routine and identifies the culprit just in time. As one of the original detectives, Holmes demonstrates typical detective traits throughout the book. His ability to make small yet crucial observations ultimately leads him to solve the mystery.

This text discusses a comparison between the deductive skills of Sherlock Holmes and the detectives in "Lamb to the Slaughter." The example given is how Holmes deduces that Helen Stoner traveled by Dog Cart by examining the mud on her coat. In contrast, the detectives in "Lamb to the Slaughter" are portrayed as incredibly foolish, as they unknowingly eat the evidence without realizing the significance. Holmes consistently outsmarts criminals, while the detectives in "Lamb to the Slaughter" seem oblivious to what is happening around them.

Both stories feature a role reversal between the victims and murderers. In Lamb to the Slaughter, it is surprising that the victim appears more likely to be the culprit, while the actual murderer still appears as the victim. On the other hand, The Specked Band portrays a contrasting dynamic where the victim is a young and vulnerable woman who depends on Holmes for aid. In this story, the murderer conforms to a stereotype as an evil man who employs cunning methods to ensnare his victims.

The two stories also differ greatly in terms of their backgrounds. In "Lamb to the Slaughter," the setting is a cozy and familiar home which would be the least expected place for a murder. This is especially surprising considering that

the perpetrator is depicted as a gentle and affectionate woman who deeply cares for her husband. This is evident in lines such as "Hello love, how was your day at work" and "What would you like for dinner I have some lamb?" However, her demeanor drastically changes, and she ends up killing him with the very meal she had intended to prepare for him with love. Thus, things take a sudden and drastic turn.

The chilling atmosphere of Helen Stoner's life in "The Speckled Band" is stereotypically conducive to murder. The incorporation of humor and suspense in both narratives compels readers to continue, especially given the length of this particular story. Its brevity allows for a swift resolution and comprehension of the events. These aspects contribute to the appeal of both books and help sustain readers' engagement.

The Speckled band had many suspenseful moments that kept readers guessing. In contrast, it is the seemingly ordinary behavior of Mrs Maloney in Lamb to the slaughter that holds the reader's interest. She creates an alibi by going to the local shop and maintaining her normal routine, concealing her gruesome act. The ending of Lamb to the Slaughter was unexpected and humorous; the detectives actually ate the evidence, making it one of the best cover ups ever!

Similarly, the ending of The Speckled Band had a twist, not in terms of revealing the murderer's identity, but in how he committed the murder. Both endings were satisfying and enjoyable. However, personally, I find Lamb to the Slaughter more successful as it combines humor, grief, and a unique twist on traditional murder mysteries. I found it thoroughly enjoyable and gripping. While The Speckled

Band was impressive and its surprising twist added to the story, it didn't captivate me as much as Lamb to the Slaughter did.