on the story 'Lamb to the slaughter' what changes and feelings does Mary Maloney go through?
In the short story "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl, Mary Maloney, the protagonist, goes through several changes and feelings. Here's a breakdown of her character development:
1. Initial Bliss: At the beginning of the story, Mary is depicted as a devoted, loving wife who is content with her married life. She eagerly awaits her husband's return from work, excited to share her happy news with him.
2. Shock and Denial: When her husband, Patrick, reveals some devastating news that he wants to leave her, Mary is initially in a state of shock and denial. She cannot comprehend what is happening and tries to convince him otherwise.
3. Loss and Desperation: As Patrick remains resolute in his decision, Mary's shock turns into a deep sense of loss and desperation. She realizes that her entire life is about to change, and she becomes desperate to maintain the status quo.
4. Anger and Betrayal: Feeling betrayed and angry, Mary reaches a tipping point. In a fit of rage, she abruptly kills Patrick by striking him with a frozen leg of lamb.
5. Switched Focus and Cunning: After the shocking act, Mary's emotions quickly shift as she enters a state of survival mode. Realizing the seriousness of her actions, Mary focuses on covering up the murder, removing any evidence that would implicate her.
6. Calculated Deception: Mary's emotional transformation transcends fear and uncertainty. She exhibits cunning and deception, acting innocent when others arrive at her house and even offering the murder weapon as a meal for the investigating officers.
7. Dark Satisfaction: Throughout the story, Mary experiences a twisted satisfaction, deriving pleasure from her ability to outsmart the detectives and successfully carry out her plan.
To analyze the changes and feelings of Mary Maloney more deeply, you may want to examine the details and evidence provided in the story itself. Pay attention to her actions, reactions, and dialogue, as well as the author's descriptions of her state of mind. This will help you gain a more nuanced understanding of the character's emotional journey.