Compare the Two Short Stories, 'The Speckled Band' And 'Lamb To The Slaughter'.

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English Wider Reading Coursework.                                 Hayley Pearcy 11GIo

Compare the Two Short Stories, ‘The Speckled Band’

And ‘Lamb To The Slaughter’.

INTRODUCTION.

        The two short stories that I am going to compare in this essay are both written in different eras.  The first, ‘Lamb To The Slaughter’ was written by Roald Dahl in 1954. His stories mainly contained ordinary people doing strange and different things.  The second, ‘The Speckled Band’ was written by Arthur Conan Doyle in 1892.  He was famous for writing the traditional detective story and this is no exception.   It is accurate to say that the two different eras in which these stories were written reflect in the content of the stories themselves although portraying a rather different image in each one.  ‘Lamb To The Slaughter’ has been clearly influenced by the 1950’s era where there was a growing affluence and in this story there is a perceptible emphasis on household items which reflects this such as ‘The thermos bucket’ which is mentioned in the very first paragraph and also the ‘freezer’ and ‘cooker’ which are mentioned further on.  Also there is a reference to the upper class lifestyle, which also links to the rising affluence.  This is demonstrated in the drinking of whisky and soda when Mr Maloney arrives home from work and also the ritual of eating out on Thursday nights, something that the lower class would never be able to finance.  Also a rather modern thing brought about in the 1950’s was the questioning of such things as marriage.  Although it is not revealed in words, we can guess that Mr Maloney was asking to leave his wife, so the story reflects one of the household issues around at the time.  There is also the poor authority of the police force.  In the story, the police are ridiculed for being incompetent and foolish.  Mary Maloney is portrayed as having the upper hand on them therefore be able to manipulate them to her advantage making them eat the murder weapon so as to eradicate all the evidence.  In the 1950’s there were doubts on the effectiveness of the police force and unlike ‘The Speckled Band’, where the story is written to try and change peoples views on the police, ‘Lamb To The Slaughter’ is written in a way that reflects people’s views.

        ‘The Speckled Band’ was written in 1892 and at this time, England was under the reign of Queen Victoria.  ‘The Speckled band’ is very much a Victorian influenced story.  At the time, the Victorians had resentment for the police, as they didn’t seem to be doing an appropriate job.  Jack the Ripper; a famous murderer was a threat to the Victorian people.  He murdered countless prostitutes and the police were considered incompetent, as they could not catch him.  Crime was at a high.  Arthur Conan Doyle’s character, Sherlock Holmes was greatly influenced by this and he always managed to solve his cases dramatically and heroically which resounded in good winning over evil. The people of

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the time warmed to Sherlock Holmes because of his image as the ideal policeman and this made the stories a huge success.  So Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories were written specifically for that time period.  Additionally, the Victorian People were fascinated by India and anything to do with it.  This is highlighted in the reference to India in ‘The Speckled Band’ in the fact that Dr Roylott previously lived there and his unusual pets originate from there.  Furthermore, at this time horror stories such as those of Edgar Allen Poe were becoming very popular and the idea of a horror and a detective genre are closely entwined in this story.  This reference to the era in which the both of the stories have been written in has made each story more successful.

        Both of these stories are of the detective story genre.  They both include a murder, an investigation and also the fate of the murderer.  So in that way they are rather similar but the difference between the two arises when you look at the way the author approaches this basic structure.  I am now going to look at how far each story conforms to the general detective story genre and plot and compare the two.

OPENING SCENE.

        The opening scene is one of the most important aspects of a story, as it has to capture the reader’s imagination sufficiently to make them want to read more.  It is especially important in shorter stories such as these as the author needs to be economical but also fulfil all the functions of an opening scene such as setting the scene, introducing characters, generate an appropriate mood and atmosphere and also start the action.  I am now going to compare the two stories to show the effectiveness of how they cover the various aspects of an opening scene.

        ‘The Speckled Band introduces us to the story by including a short paragraph showing Watson looking back on the case.  It is immediately revealed that story is that of the detective genre.  Also, the phrase

        ‘Of all these varied cases…I cannot recall any which presented more singular features’

is used to try and make this particular case stand out from all of the others that the Victorian audience have already read.  This intrigues the reader to find out what is so special about it.  In contrast, ‘Lamb To The Slaughter does not have an introduction as such.  It is as though we are thrown into somebody’s mind for as long as the story proceeds and then drawn out again at the end.  It is written very much in the present tense as a result.  A small paragraph at the beginning of the story describes the room but nothing is given away about the fact that the story is that of a murder.

         The beginning of ‘Lamb To The Slaughter’ gives the impression of a cosy, almost claustrophobic room.  The only place that is mentioned is that one room which gives a great sense of enclosed intimacy.  Everyday objects are spoken of in a careful, descriptive way

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with an emphasis on the fact that there is two of some things, one for her and one for her husband.

        ‘Two table lamps alight’

        ‘Two tall glasses.’

This emphasises the fact that Mr Maloney and Mary Maloney are a couple even though he has not yet arrived.  We believe that this is a loving and stable marriage simply by the atmosphere in the room as Mary Maloney waits serenely for her husband to arrive and join her.  When her husband does arrive home the whole atmosphere changes.  Greatly contrasting the earlier image of Mary Maloney and the living room as placid and welcoming, Mr Maloney enters.  At first nothing about the atmosphere is too different aside from Mr Maloney’s stiff reception for his wife, who greets him as the typical loving wife,

        ‘She took off his coat and hung it in the closet’

        ‘Darling, shall I get your slippers’

As the scene then proceeds, Mr Maloney’s presence in the room turns it into an awkward place full of mixed feelings.  The room is dismissed and the scene focuses on the dialogue and feelings of the couple.  This creates a very intense atmosphere and gives the impression that all is not what it should be.  This sudden change brings up the question in the back of our minds, what secret does Mr Maloney have?  The initial atmosphere of tranquillity comes across as unusual for a detective story.  Immediately we can see that ‘Lamb To The Slaughter is different from other detective stories.  It somehow creates an alibi for her murder.  No one will believe that Mary Maloney could break this loving bond with her husband that is so clearly expressed by the atmosphere in their home.

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        The opening scene of ‘The Speckled Band’ has a very different atmosphere to that of ‘Lamb To The Slaughter’.  It has a very formal atmosphere, more businesslike.  This is accentuated by the way in which Sherlock Holmes and Watson are Presented and also the Dialogue.  An air of excitement is introduced very early on by the fact that a lady with a possible case has awaked the household early.

        ‘A young lady has arrived in a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me.’

Sherlock Holmes and Watson immediately strike the reader as passionate about their work.

        ‘I had ...

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