In the "Lamb to the Slaughter," Mary Maloney only decides to cover up the murder after thinking of her unborn baby. In the context of this short story, how does fear drive action?
In the short story "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl, fear plays a significant role in driving Mary Maloney's actions. To understand how fear drives her decision to cover up the murder, let's break it down into a few key points.
1. Initial fear: The story begins with Mary living a seemingly ordinary life as a loving and devoted wife to her husband, Patrick. However, when Patrick unexpectedly tells her that he is leaving her, she experiences intense shock and fear. The realization that her stable and secure life is about to crumble leads her to a state of panic.
2. Fear of losing everything: Mary's fear of losing her husband, her home, and her future intensifies when she learns that Patrick intends to divorce her. This fear drives her to desperately attempt to salvage her crumbling life.
3. Fear of judgment and punishment: Mary understands the dire consequences she could face if she is accused and convicted of murdering Patrick. The fear of imprisonment and losing her freedom further motivates her decision to cover up the murder.
4. Fear for her unborn child: Perhaps the most powerful driving force behind Mary's actions is the fear she feels for her unborn baby. In a moment of clarity, she realizes that her child's future is at stake. She realizes that if she is arrested, her child will face a life burdened by the stigma of being related to a convicted murderer.
Considering these points, it becomes clear that Mary's decision to cover up the murder is ultimately driven by her fear of the unknown consequences, both for herself and for her unborn child.
To answer your question, fear drives action in "Lamb to the Slaughter" by pushing Mary Maloney to take extreme measures to protect herself and her future. Understanding the character's motivations and how fear plays a role in those motivations helps us comprehend the story's central theme and the complexity of human behavior under duress.