Lamb To The Slaughter Mary Maloney Character Traits

Striking, the boy conveyed an unparalleled impression. Deeper into this utopia however, his once charming disposition, slowly cracked to reveal his true monstrous nature. Out of the dream, emerged a nightmare. Malevolent, malicious, masks fell off to reveal a mentality concealed before. First impressions are not always accurate, sometimes underneath the perfection lies a different character waiting to be awakened. Take Mary Maloney in Roald Dahl’s “Lamb to the Slaughter” for example. Mary’s character development, along with her interactions with her husband, Patrick Maloney, and the detectives from his department reveal the theme of, “Seemingly “perfect” people have a dark side.”
In the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter,” Mary portrays a very “perfect” wife image. For example, according to the author, “There was a slow smiling air about her, and about everything she did.” (Dahl, p. 318) The quote is explaining how content, tranquil Mary appears. This quote includes an example of how placid and innocent Mary is. This makes her appear as the “perfect” woman. In addition, the text

directly states, “‘But you must have supper. I can easily do it here. I’d like to do it. … Anything you want.” (Dahl, p. 318) The quote is saying that despite Mary’s husband, Patrick, constantly saying no to dinner, Mary willingly insists she can easily make it. This quote is important because it shows how selfless, devoted a wife Mary is to Patrick. This adds on to her loyal, caring, ideal wife image. However, as we ventured forth into the middle of the story, flaws began to shatter Mary’s unblemished veneer.
Bursting, Mary’s “perfect” bubble dissolved as she became more aware. For instance, the author claims that, “All right, she told herself. So I’ve killed him.” (Dahl, p. 320) The quote is reinforcing the idea of Mary realizing that she has killed her own husband. An examination of this quote reveals that because Patrick wanted to leave her, while Mary wanted things to stay the same, so she acted irrationally. This is a change from her innocent, perfect image to a guilty, more knowledgeable self, which will cause her to showcase her dark side. Additionally, as stated by the author, “Did they kill them both- mother and child?” (Dahl, p. 320) In this quote, the author clarifies why Mary is worried about the penalty for Patrick’s murder- her child might be killed. This quote demonstrates how Mary adjusts from tranquil to worried. This conflict of Patrick wanting to leave her has snapped Mary out of her utopian world. Once out of this delusion, she develops further away from the amiable Mary we began with.
Calculating, cunning, Mary has now become rapt in immorality.

To illustrate, in the author’s words, “Why don’t you eat up that lamb that’s in the oven?” (Dahl, p. 324) In this quote the author proposes that Mary deceived the detectives into eating the murder weapon. This quote models the author’s use of character development as Mary went from the beginning of being good-natured and honest to deceitful. This brings the immoral evolution of Mary out. Moreover, the author plainly asserts, “And in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle.” (Dahl, p. 324) In this quote, the author describes how Mary laughed as the detectives ate the murder weapon. This quote reminds the reader that Mary is now “innocent” in a different sense than she was in the beginning of the story. “Perfect”, unaware, self-sacrificing, wife Mary is gone. Revealed to the readers is wicked, manipulative murderer

Mary.
Through character development, and interactions with Patrick Maloney and the detectives, Mary Maloney of “Lamb to the Slaughter” aids in disclosing the theme of, “Behind every ideal mask, lies a wicked face.” Cautiously, creep through relationships. Your next significant other could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.