Lamb To The Slaughter

Lamb symbolizes both sacrifice and violence in “Lamb to the Slaughter.” It features in the story’s title and in the leg of lamb Mary Maloney uses to kill her husband. The title evokes the idiom “like a lamb to the slaughter,” meaning an innocent person or creature who is oblivious to their impending fate. The joint of meat Mary takes from the freezer embodies this concept literally as the lamb was slaughtered for human consumption. Dahl also uses the symbol of the lamb figuratively to reflect the changing roles of his characters.

Meek and submissive, Mary shares the traditional characteristics of a lamb at the start of the story and has no idea that a terrible event is about to befall her. When Patrick Maloney announces their marriage is over, she becomes a figurative lamb. Despite the sacrifices she has made for her husband, he metaphorically slaughters her with his rejection. Nevertheless, Mary prepares to cook supper. When Mr. Maloney rejects this offering, his wife uses the leg of lamb as a surprisingly effective weapon. The impact on Mr. Maloney’s skull is so hard Mary “might just as well have hit him with a steel club” (26).