Wider reading coursework
The Speckled Band by Sir Authur Conan Doyle
Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl
Examine the characters of Mrs Maloney in 'Lamb to the slaughter' and Roylott in 'The Speckled Band', both are clever about the way they hide the evidence of their crimes. Why does Mrs Maloney get away with it while Roylott doesn't?
Roald Dahl first published 'Lamb to the slaughter' in 1954; it is the story of a murder committed by a housewife upon hearing some presumably bad news from her husband.
'The Speckled Band' was first published at the much earlier date of1892, making it somewhat difficult for the younger reader to grasp. 'The Speckled Band' tells the story of a violent, eccentric character named Roylott who murdered his step daughter in order to acquire a portion of the inheritance intended for her.
'The Speckled Band' is quite typical of the detective story genre in that it portrays Roylott as the stereotypical villain, whom we can assume from the beginning, will be caught by the end of the text. The mystery being finding the actual evidence of how the crimes were committed. 'Lamb To the slaughter' however is not at all typical of the detective story genre in that there is an element of surprise over the fact that the all loving housewife ends up committing the perfect murder.
"The room was warm and clean, the curtains drawn, the two..." Instantly the reader gets the impression that there is a serenity and a calm about Mrs Maloney. Although calm, there is an air about her that suggests something out of the ordinary is about to happen for example; " The drop of the head as she...was curiously tranquil. The beginning of the text states "her skin had acquired a wonderful translucent quality, the mouth was soft, and the eyes with their new placid...larger, darker than before". This quotation has a double meaning because in one sense and the most obvious, the text is referring to the effects of Mary Maloney's pregnancy however, there is also the point that all of these things are out of the ordinary. (They don't usually occur and are only happening because she is pregnant) this means that the reader can assume more unusual things may happen. Because all of the changes and abnormalities have surrounded Mrs Maloney the reader can also assume that what is about to happen will affect her unusually.
This assumption is confirmed when Patrick Maloney enters the house. The reader can tell something is going to occur from Mr Maloney's actions, language and monosyllabic responses to her questions (Mrs Maloney's). He then does an 'unusual thing' he drained his glass (of whisky and soda water) consequently making a stronger one. People usually drink when they are having troubles, or are stressed with something on their minds. The fact that Patrick Maloney did this aroused great suspicion in his wife and she tries to engage in conversation to alleviate a response. The reader can see the parallel in that just as Mr Maloney does not want to eat, he doesn't entirely want to hear what his wife has to say but with every word she brings him closer to erupting. Finally the symbolism portrays the words of one who were throwing up (Patrick Maloney). It were as though, as a result of Mrs Maloney's constant chatter, like food being forced into him, he was forced to tell her what it was he had to say.
The Speckled Band by Sir Authur Conan Doyle
Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl
Examine the characters of Mrs Maloney in 'Lamb to the slaughter' and Roylott in 'The Speckled Band', both are clever about the way they hide the evidence of their crimes. Why does Mrs Maloney get away with it while Roylott doesn't?
Roald Dahl first published 'Lamb to the slaughter' in 1954; it is the story of a murder committed by a housewife upon hearing some presumably bad news from her husband.
'The Speckled Band' was first published at the much earlier date of1892, making it somewhat difficult for the younger reader to grasp. 'The Speckled Band' tells the story of a violent, eccentric character named Roylott who murdered his step daughter in order to acquire a portion of the inheritance intended for her.
'The Speckled Band' is quite typical of the detective story genre in that it portrays Roylott as the stereotypical villain, whom we can assume from the beginning, will be caught by the end of the text. The mystery being finding the actual evidence of how the crimes were committed. 'Lamb To the slaughter' however is not at all typical of the detective story genre in that there is an element of surprise over the fact that the all loving housewife ends up committing the perfect murder.
"The room was warm and clean, the curtains drawn, the two..." Instantly the reader gets the impression that there is a serenity and a calm about Mrs Maloney. Although calm, there is an air about her that suggests something out of the ordinary is about to happen for example; " The drop of the head as she...was curiously tranquil. The beginning of the text states "her skin had acquired a wonderful translucent quality, the mouth was soft, and the eyes with their new placid...larger, darker than before". This quotation has a double meaning because in one sense and the most obvious, the text is referring to the effects of Mary Maloney's pregnancy however, there is also the point that all of these things are out of the ordinary. (They don't usually occur and are only happening because she is pregnant) this means that the reader can assume more unusual things may happen. Because all of the changes and abnormalities have surrounded Mrs Maloney the reader can also assume that what is about to happen will affect her unusually.
This assumption is confirmed when Patrick Maloney enters the house. The reader can tell something is going to occur from Mr Maloney's actions, language and monosyllabic responses to her questions (Mrs Maloney's). He then does an 'unusual thing' he drained his glass (of whisky and soda water) consequently making a stronger one. People usually drink when they are having troubles, or are stressed with something on their minds. The fact that Patrick Maloney did this aroused great suspicion in his wife and she tries to engage in conversation to alleviate a response. The reader can see the parallel in that just as Mr Maloney does not want to eat, he doesn't entirely want to hear what his wife has to say but with every word she brings him closer to erupting. Finally the symbolism portrays the words of one who were throwing up (Patrick Maloney). It were as though, as a result of Mrs Maloney's constant chatter, like food being forced into him, he was forced to tell her what it was he had to say.