Comparing two texts - Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl and The Signalman by Charles Dickens.

Emma-Louise Bailey 11C

GCSE Coursework Assignment Comparing Two Texts

Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl and The Signalman by Charles Dickens

In this assignment I will be looking at two stories from this century and the last. I will examine the similarities and differences between them in content, style and language and I will talk about how the writers’ backgrounds influenced their stories and their way of writing.

The opening page of both of the stories creates a mood. In Lamb to the Slaughter Dahl carefully chooses words to create a relaxing atmosphere, “warm clean, fresh, smiling, blissful, rested, silent”. All of these words create a tranquil, cosy environment. The choices of his words created an effect on me when I was reading, and therefore felt I should be very quiet, and whisper whilst I was reading the opening page. From reading page one of Lamb to the Slaughter I gathered a picture in my mind of what was to going to come. My expectation of the story was that it would have a happy ending. This was down to the opening page of the story and how Dahl set a peaceful and comfortable scene.

However, when reading page one of Charles Dickens’ story, The Signalman, I soon gained an all-together different expectation of what was to come. Dickens’ used words such as, “steep, trench, angry, violent, pulsation, rapid, clammy”. These choices of words help to create a dark, and dangerous mood. “there came a vague vibration in the earth and air, quickly changing into a violent pulsation, and an oncoming rush that caused me to start back, as though it had force to pull me down”. This phrase was very effective in the first page of the story, as it quickly helped to create a negative mood. When reading the opening page of The Signalman, I almost felt as if I should hold my breath in fear of being heard. I straightaway felt that the ending would be tragic, although I had no ideas how.

Both writers created a mood in the first page of their story, but they were very different. Dahl’s was a very relaxing and pleasant opening, which calmed the reader and lulled them into false pretence. Dickens’ story was more direct about where the story may lead, therefore creating a negative atmosphere almost instantly. The opening that had the most effect on me as a reader was The Signalman. This is because I wanted to find out what would happen further on in the story. “His attitude was one of such expectation and watchfulness that I stopped a moment, wondering at it.” This part made me want to find out why the character was behaving in such a strange way.

The settings of each story were also very different. In Lamb to the Slaughter, the story is set in the 1950’s inside a warm, suburban living room. We have one very important clue in the story which reflects the time period, “As the wife of a detective, she knew quite well what the punishment would be, What were the laws about murderers with unborn children? Did they kill them both- mother and child? Or did they wait until the tenth month?” We can gather here that Capital Punishment was still in use and that the character in the story is worried about her punishment. The setting of the story effects the reader’s response because in Lamb to the Slaughter, the setting is so normal and usual of an everyday household in that time. The reader’s do not expect a murder to happen. The Maloney household is an unusual, unexpected place for a murder story. We are not prepared for a murder because of the homely atmosphere created by the setting description, “The room was warm and clean, the curtains drawn, the two table lamps alight, For her, this was a blissful time of day. She knew he didn’t want to speak much until the first drink was finished, and she, on her side, was content to sit quietly, enjoying his company after the long hours alone in the house. She loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man.” We see here how happy and contented the setting is. A housewife waiting eagerly at home for her husband after a long day at work. This isn’t the usual criterion for a classic murder story, as we see how only moments before the murder the murderer is blissful and at ease in her surroundings. The homely atmosphere created here by the setting helps to secure her alibi as no-one expects a pregnant woman who is very much in love with her husband and thoroughly pleased with her home and life to kill a man.

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In Charles Dickens’ tale, his story is set in the Victorian period of 1866, the mid-Victorian period as it was commonly known. In the 1860’s the railway was a recent invention just beginning to spread across the nation (cutting edge technology). For Dickens to choose this as the setting for his story was therefore a fashionable thriller. Dickens’ chose to set his story outside in a frighteningly steep cutting in a lonely signal box. The setting affects the reader’s response. This is because straightaway in The Signalman we are almost frightened by what we read. It is a very depressing environment, “so little sunlight ever found it’s way to this spot, that it had an earthy, deadly smell; and so much cold air rushed through it, that it struck to chill me, as if I had left the natural world”. The setting created a much more downbeat atmosphere and my expectations to the story began to develop. I started to expect ghost tales, or murders.

The key points or crisis events in Lamb to the Slaughter are when Mr Patrick Maloney tells his wife that he is leaving her. Dahl writes this in a clever way which makes us use our imagination. “This is going to be a bit of a shock to you, I’m afraid,” he said. “But I’ve thought about it a good deal and I’ve decided the only thing to do is to tell you right away. I hope you won’t blame me too much.” And he told her. It didn’t take long, four or five minutes at the most, and she sat very still through it all, watching him” We don’t know what was said between Mary and Patrick but it spurred her to murder. This is a key event in the story as it leads to events later on. Compared to the Signalman, Mary seems very sure in her mind what has to happen, “That’s the way, she told herself. Do everything right and natural and there’ll be no need for any acting at all.” This line demonstrates Mary’s capability of controlling the situation. In contrast, the Signalman seems very unsure of himself, and the situation. “I am troubled sir, I am troubled.” This is a key event in The Signalman as it shows his vulnerability and uneasiness about something in particular, although at this point in the story, we are not yet sure what of.

This creates tension and suspense within the readers. Dickens’ story is long and he spends a long time setting the scene, however, we are kept in suspense to what may happen, or who The Signalman is afraid of, “It is very difficult to impart, Sir. It is very, very difficult to speak of. If you ever make another visit, I will try to tell you” This creates suspense because I, as a reader was impatient to find out what it was The Signalman had to tell us. A spectre or a ghost is mentioned early on in the tale, “You had no feeling that they were conveyed to you in my supernatural way?” although we are still unsure how things will end.

Dahl also uses suspense and tension to create effect amongst the readers, although he does it in a different way. Dahl spends a long time setting the scene, but then we are not told what it is that Patrick has to say to Mary. We are left to use our imaginations and this creates tension amongst the reader’ as we are unsure of the situation. We have suddenly jumped from one atmosphere, which was inviting and welcoming to another of un-ease and uncertainty. For the huge majority of the story we are kept in suspense about whether Mary will be caught as the murderer. The story ends in suspense as we still don’t know whether the detectives will realise it was her who killed her husband.

“She told how she’d slipped out to the grocer for vegetables, and come back to find him lying on the floor. “Which grocer?” one of the detectives asked. She told him, and he turned, whispered something to the other detective who immediately went outside into the street.” This is a tense moment in the story as we are worried that Mary’s alibi will not fit. We know that she did visit Sam, the Greengrocer but we are still concerned that her plan will be exposed.

“when you come tomorrow night, don’t call out!” This line highlights the tension and we want to find out why the narrator is forbidden to call out. We are held in suspense until the following night when the Signalman will reveal his tale. The two lines, one from Lamb to the Slaughter, and one from The Signalman differ. This is because we already know what Mary has done; we are just waiting for her to be caught. However, we want to know what the Signalman has to say to the narrator, as this is initially where the story will really begin.

Lamb to the Slaughter is written in the third person, in contrast, The Signalman is written in the first. By writing the stories in different view-points we are able to compare the effectiveness that each will create for the reader. In Lamb to the Slaughter writing in the third hand makes us believe that it is a tale, a story, perhaps. When Dickens writes The Signalman we almost believe that it is a true story, an account of a past experience and it creates much more tension for the reader.

The structure of Dahl’s story is chronological, (date order). Each event follows on from the one before, following Mary’s reactions to her husband’s news, to her movements. This lulls the reader into a false sense of security as we begin to believe that the tone will be consistent through-out. When the readers are reading The Signalman they are forced to be open-minded. This is because right from the beginning they are prepared for the unexpected. Nothing seems to happen as it should, nor in the right order, as the character of the signalman refers to previous events constantly. This forces the readers to go back in time with the storyteller. So, in contrast with Dahl’s story, Dickens’ does not choose to present his story in a sequential manner.

Styles of writing are often influenced by the period of time they are written in and the attitudes of society at the time and cultural influences. Both stories are typical of the era they are written in.

Lamb to the Slaughter was written in the early 1950’s. The story shows how a woman’s job seemed to be to stay at home all day, have a meal cooked ready for their husband’s return and be the inferior gender. “I haven’t made you any supper because it’s Thursday.” This quote highlights the fact that women were expected to bide by their husband’s wishes. If a man wanted his dinner at half past eight, for example, a wife would feel obliged to cook the food for that time. Dickens’ story was written in 1866. In the 1860’s the railway was a new invention that was only just recently beginning to catch on: “it was cutting-edge technology”. For Dickens to choose this as his setting therefore was a very fashionable thing to do. Signal boxes being operated manually and being in the country shows the historical context to today’s reader. In 1895, Dickens was travelling to London by train when it derailed at high speed, killing 10 people and injuring a further 30. He wrote The Signalman a year later. Does this shows a connection between his personal experience and his story theme?

Readers, who at the time of publication had no television, no radio, and no computers would look forward to a ghost story which involved, thrilled and frightened them. Dickens’ story, The Signalman did just that. Dickens wrote his tale for an audience who would not be able to watch the story on video. However, Dahl at the time of writing had just come across television, theatre and video. Therefore, being able to show his story to a different kind of audience. His writing need not be so descriptive because he could rely on television to broadcast his imagination for him. Dickens’ writes “a dripping-wet wall of jagged stone, excluding all view but a strip of sky; the perspective one way only a crooked prolongation of this great dungeon…barbarous, depressing, and forbidding air.” His descriptions are deep and leave less to the imagination than when Dahl writes, “The room was warm and clean, the curtains drawn, the two table lamps lit-hers and the one opposite”. His writing is less descriptive but still sets the scene. Dahl could rely on storyboards and television to help the readers imagine the setting. Dickens could rely only on his own imagination. He needed to be precise to give the correct images to his audience.

One thing, which clearly indicates the time period in which the stories are written, is the language. Dickens uses very long, descriptive language. His writing is very old fashioned, for example, “Halloa! Below there!” Dickens is actually shouting hello but due top the era in which he wrote his story he uses alternative words. “it is very difficult to impart.” –also means, it is very hard to tell you. Dahl’s langue is much more modern, extremely similar to the language which we use in every-day dialogue nowadays. “There’s plenty of meat and stuff in the freezer”.

Dahl’s story almost seems to ridicule itself with humorous twist, “in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle”. The tone of Dickens’ story is a huge contrast in comparison, which is a very serious tone and is expected to be taken seriously. “Ah! It was a dreadful time, Sir. I never left off calling to him. I put this arm before my eyes not to see, and I waved this arm to the last; but it was no use”. The tone is thought-provoking, meant to stick in the reader’s mind. Dahl’s story is more light-hearted. The reader’s find themselves laughing in some places, “Probably right under our very noses. What d’you think, Jack?” and in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle”. We sense the irony here. By making a joke out of the situation, the reader’s relax and the tone lightens. Dickens’ tone suggests a much more sinister plot. “I came in and sat down, partly to collect my thoughts, partly because it had turned me faint. When I went to the door again, daylight was above me, and the ghost was gone.” Our reaction to Dickens’ story is much different to Dahl’s, where we find ourselves smiling and laughing. When Dickens’ writes the tale he does not set the tone as light-hearted. Therefore, the reader’s hang on to their seats. This is one main reason to why the stories appeal to different audiences.

The endings of both stories do have one thing in common. Both have an unexpected twist in the tale. In Dahl’s story we do not expect the character of Mary Maloney to become an evil, twisted person. We see at the beginning of the story that she is quite different, “For her, this was always a blissful time of day. She knew he didn’t want to speak much until the first drink was finished, and she, on her side, was content to sit quietly,” It is most unexpected to the reader to see that Mary is feeling little remorse at the end. We expect her to break down and confess to murder but we leave the story with the uncertainty to whether her crime will be discovered. This affects the reader and leaves them feeling shocked. When I read the story I was surprised at Mary’s actions and was sure that all would be confessed at the end. The ending of The Signalman is another with a twist to the tale. Throughout the story we listen to the narrative and learn to relate and grow to know both characters. When the Signalman is killed at the end it leaves the readers feeling unsure. They have been falsely lead to believe that the end of the story is approaching and all will be well. “Next evening was a lovely evening, and I walked out early to enjoy it.” This description sets the scene for a relaxing end. It is a twist to find that a stranger kills the Signalman, yet the manoeuvres that the train driver used are those of the ghost that had haunted him for many weeks previously, “I put my arm before my eyes not to see, and I waved this arm to the last; but it was no use”.

Only once both stories have been read to the end do their titles have any relevance. Lamb to the Slaughter is very literal. Mr Patrick Maloney is slaughtered by a leg of lamb; however, there lies a deeper meaning. Patrick was naïve and felt his wife was no threat to him. He did not see the danger he was walking into. The title of a signalman usually is known as a man who is knowledgeable and sees all. He signals where to go, takes control of many situations and is responsible for the safety of travelling rail passengers. The Signalman is an apt title for Dickens’ story, as in the tale, the Signalman isn’t in control. Instead he sees too much and although “no man in England knew his work better” he was incapable of signalling correctly.

Lamb to the Slaughter is a much more intriguing title for a short story. It leaves so much to the imagination and readers feel they want to know more about the plot line; however, The Signalman is a much more gripping read. Throughout the story readers’ want to find out more about the Signalman’s story, and it constantly leaves the readers in suspense, which adds to the excitement of the story.

In conclusion, I feel that The Signalman was more compelling to read. The storyline was more stimulating and kept the readers attention far better than Lamb to the Slaughter. However, Dahl used much easier language which made reading Lamb to the Slaughter far more enjoyable. The words were more modern and more suitable for my age group. Dickens’ used such words as, “furled, gesticulating, asunder, vehemence, transverse and dint”. By using these words it made the story harder to read. He wrote, “It was the mental torture of a conscientious man, oppressed beyond endurance by an unintelligible responsibility involving life”. This is far too complicated for light reading, which may put more people off reading and enjoying it.

Lamb to the Slaughter was an enjoyable read as I felt I could relax whilst reading it. This is where it contrasts with Dickens, The Signalman. At the time of initially comparing both stories I preferred Lamb to the Slaughter, as it seemed to relate more to everyday life and was easier to picture as I knew what many of the things were. Items that were mentioned in The Signalman were unknown to me; therefore I didn’t completely understand their meaning and relevance in the story. My choice of overall preference lies on the fact that The Signalman was more exhilarating and the twist in the tale was greater in shock and surprise.