Lamb to the Slaughter vs. The Tell-Tale Heart

Attribute	Lamb to the Slaughter	The Tell-Tale Heart
Author	Roald Dahl	Edgar Allan Poe
Genre	Short story	Short story
Main character	Mary Maloney	Unnamed narrator
Setting	Domestic household	Old man's house
Plot twist	Mary kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb	The narrator kills the old man and hides his body under the floorboards

Plot

In "Lamb to the Slaughter," a woman named Mary Maloney kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb after he tells her he is leaving her. She then cooks the lamb and serves it to the police officers who come to investigate the murder. The story takes a darkly comedic turn as the police unknowingly eat the murder weapon. On the other hand, "The Tell-Tale Heart" follows an unnamed narrator who insists on their sanity while describing how they murdered an old man because of his "vulture eye." The narrator is haunted by the sound of the old man's beating heart after the murder, leading to their confession.

Characterization

In "Lamb to the Slaughter," Mary Maloney is portrayed as a devoted wife who is initially shocked by her husband's announcement but quickly becomes calculating and resourceful in covering up her crime. Her transformation from a meek housewife to a cunning murderer is a central aspect of the story's appeal. In contrast, the narrator of "The Tell-Tale Heart" is depicted as unreliable and unstable from the beginning. Their obsession with the old man's eye and the subsequent murder reveal a deep-seated madness that drives the narrative forward.

Themes

Both stories explore themes of betrayal, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions. In "Lamb to the Slaughter," Mary Maloney's betrayal by her husband leads to a drastic and unexpected response that ultimately results in her freedom. The story raises questions about the nature of justice and the lengths to which people will go to protect themselves. On the other hand, "The Tell-Tale Heart" delves into the psychological effects of guilt and the inability to escape one's conscience. The narrator's descent into madness serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of guilt.

Setting

The settings of "Lamb to the Slaughter" and "The Tell-Tale Heart" play significant roles in shaping the tone and atmosphere of each story. In "Lamb to the Slaughter," the cozy domestic setting of the Maloney household contrasts sharply with the violent act that takes place within it. The contrast between the warmth of the home and the coldness of the murder creates a sense of unease for the reader. In contrast, "The Tell-Tale Heart" is set in a dark and oppressive environment that mirrors the narrator's deteriorating mental state. The dimly lit room and the sound of the old man's heart beating add to the story's sense of dread and suspense.

Symbolism

Symbolism is used effectively in both "Lamb to the Slaughter" and "The Tell-Tale Heart" to enhance the themes and mood of the stories. In "Lamb to the Slaughter," the leg of lamb serves as a symbol of Mary Maloney's transformation from a passive victim to an active participant in her own fate. The lamb also represents innocence and vulnerability, highlighting the irony of its use as a murder weapon. Similarly, in "The Tell-Tale Heart," the old man's eye symbolizes the narrator's guilt and paranoia. The eye becomes a source of obsession for the narrator, driving them to commit the murder and ultimately leading to their downfall.