The Lamb To The Slaughter Short Story Analysis

Kate Chopin, born from Katherine O’flaherty, was an American author of short stories and novels. Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter, and fighter pilot. His books have sold more than 250 million copies. Although these writers are almost a generation apart in age, both individuals display a remarkable similarity in their lives. Each has written a tongue twisting story about how love takes a toll on a human being and eventually leading them into death. Though these authors share similar writing techniques, each has a unique style which makes the readers gravitate to their stories. Tragedy strikes both characters in “Desiree’s Baby” and “The Lamb To The Slaughter. Mary kills her husband and puts her life in jeopardy while Desiree kills herself because her husband no longer loves her or their child. Each describes these incidents as love gone unpleasant. A close examination of the way Desiree, the protagonists of Desiree’s Baby, and Mary, the protagonists of Lamb To The Slaughter, react to their rejections from a loved one demonstrates …show more content…
He points out significant details leading up to Mary’s husbands death. “We can have lamb” is one detail that will be used a deadly weapon to kill her husbands. Roald Dahl gets straight to the point in this account. For instance, in the beginning of the story there is already sense of death and conflict waiting to start. “The room was warm, the curtains were closed, the two lamps were lit. On the cupboard behind her there were two glasses and some drinks.” The reader feels the animosity in the house, not realizing these are signs leading up to Mary’s husbands death. Whereas in the story Desiree’s Baby written by Kate Chopin begins with a more pleasant beginning. “It made her laugh to think of Desiree with a baby.” This informs the reader that Desiree and Armand are on good terms. Roald Dahl wants the reader to comprehend the situation with