English Literature- Lamb to the Slaughter

Lamb to the abattoir -Roald Dahl By P. Baburaj, old Lecturer, Dept. of English, Sherubtse college, Bhutan origin of Language and writing, DSB Publication Thimphu Communicative English, P. K. Books, Calicut A perception on Literary Criticism, P. K. Books, Calicut shocking funniness/blackhumour -is concerned with the humorous discourse of the shocking, horrific and macabre. Black comedy is rattling a form of drama which displays a marked disillusionment and cynicism.It shows human beings without belief with little hope, regulated by fatality or fortune or approachable powers. In fact, human beings in an pissed predicament at its darkest, such comedy is pervaded by a kind of sour despair we cant do anything. So we may as step forward laugh. The wit is mordant and the humor sardonic. dramatic irony When the audience understands the implication and inwardness of a situation on stage, or what is being said, but the characters do non. Example-Oedipus does non realize his c rime. Sir Peter Tezel (in school for scandal) does not know his married woman is behind the diffuse when he is talking about Joseph Surface. signs. ? The sensitive and clean attic indicates the desire for chemical formula domestic pattern. ? The curtain drawn- shows a calm atmosp here that foreshadowing of incomprehensible subconscious desires that are yet to surface in the form of murderous action. ? 2 lamps alight- point to bloody shame and Patrick. ? Fresh scrap cubes in the thermos points to coldness and heat. cover is cold and thermos brings heat to the mind. contemporaneous story. ? Story tells of how a pregnant char when faced with the certainty of her husband get away her, takes control of her situation. ? Powerful woman champ -breaking away from the stereotypical role of a woman. Packed with suspense and humor. ? Fast-paced action. ? ? ? ? ? ? thirdly person omniscient narrative. Conventional and full-strength forward language. Role reversals- reversal of bloo dy shame the merry innocent docile wife to a cruel murderer outstanding irony, A type of situational irony. A outdo example of a black comedy. . . contrast what a character perceives and what the audience and 1 or more of the characters know to be true. Revenge, deception and ethics are around of the issues that one could explore in this story. Theme- love- betrayal, visit and deception. Mary Maloney a victim and a villain. A faithful, docile pregnant wife who gets cheated. Story of? Married and a amatory couple. ? Maloneys unexplained decision to leave his wife.. ? Violation of the marriage law(deception) ? Marys killing of her husband and her last-ditch deception ? ? ? ? ? ? Setting-Maloneys drawing room -Entire room of the house. -Sams grocery cheat (short scene). ? Lamb is a Biblical Symbol of innocence/ symbol of peace, but here a powerful weapon of murder. ? So lamb symbolizes here violence, death and revenge- jumbled to its conventional biblical concept. By P. Bab uraj, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of English, Sherubtse college, Bhutan *********************************