Mary Maloney Character Analysis in Lamb to the Slaughter

In the short story “Lamb to The Slaughter”, Roald Dahl expresses the fact that true devotion breeds potent persistence. First and foremost, Mary Maloney is extensively attached and committed to her husband before he decides to leave her for his new love, and is persistent in her relationship. To particularize, the story states “She loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man, and to feel-almost as a sunbather feels the sun- that warm male glow that came out of him to her when they were alone together.”(Dahl, pg. 1) This portrays the fact that Mary Maloney is a loving, caring wife, who persistently shows love.

Additionally, after Mary Maloney’s husband discloses that he is leaving her, the story states “At that point, Mary Maloney simply walked up behind him and without any pause she swung the big frozen leg of lamb high in the air and brought it down as hard as she could on the back of his head.” (Dahl pg. 3) Accordingly, this substantiates that the love Mary Maloney had for her husband led her to take revenge for his betrayal, doing so by murdering him. Relating back to the theme, the devotion Mary had provoked her to persist in the act of murdering her husband. Moreover, Mary Maloney is also substantially committed to her unborn child, causing her to lie about her husband’s death, and manipulate the officers. Namely, the story states “Briefly, she told her story about going out to the grocer and coming back to find him on the floor.  While she was talking, crying and talking, Noonan discovered a small patch of congealed blood on the dead man’s head.  He showed it to O’Malley who got up at once and hurried to the phone.” (Dahl, pg. 5) After lying continuously, Mary Maloney says “Why don’t you eat up that lamb that’s in the oven.  It’ll be cooked just right by now.” (Dahl. pg 7). This demonstrates that Mary Maloney’s persistent lying and manipulation, after the murder of her husband, comes in the wake of her beloved husband's announcement that he is abandoning her and their unborn child. Equally important, her ensuing decision to cover up the murder is not rooted in absurdity, but rather maternal devotion.

Finally, Mary Maloney is also deeply devoted to herself, throughout many passages in the story. In the story, the narrator states “No, she said.  She didn’t feel she could move even a yard at the moment.  Would they mind awfully if she stayed just where she was until she felt better.  She didn’t feel too good at the moment, she really didn’t.” (Dahl pg.6). In the last sentence of the story, Mary Maloney is shown to be laughing. To deconstruct, Mary Maloney was feeling very fatigued after killing her husband, to the point where she could barely move. The fact that she was able to get up, and persist in her actions while the narrator did not mention the motivation, Mary Maloney may have obviously stayed persistent for her unborn child, but also, herself. Not to mention, her laughing after committing these acts, lets the reader know that this was enjoyable for her, and that she stayed persistent for her own amusement.

Ultimately, in the story “Lamb to the Slaughter”, the author conveys the message that faithful devotion breeds potent persistence in one’s course of action.