Why I Love Using Lamb to the Slaughter in Literary Analysis Lessons

teganlattimer
Aug 14
3 min read

When most people think of Roald Dahl, Willy Wonka or James and the Giant Peach comes to mind. But there is another side to this author — a darker, more twisted side.

Lamb to the Slaughter is a great example of that side, and I love using this short story with middle and high school students. They’re often caught off guard when Mary murders her husband, but they’re even more surprised by her unusual choice of weapon. Most laugh at first, then realize someone has actually died. The real shock comes when they see how Mary behaves at the end.

That’s exactly what I want. It pulls them in. Many have seen TV shows with twists and turns, but they haven’t experienced them in a short story before. This curiosity makes them want to talk — and when they talk, their writing improves. The plot is layered. We already know who did it, but the real question becomes: will the police ever figure it out?

Why Lamb to the Slaughter is Perfect for Teaching

Irony and Tone

Side-by-side images illustrating irony in Lamb to the Slaughter: a lamb standing on green grass on the left, and a smiling police officer eating roasted meat on the right. Navy text overlay in the center reads “Irony in Action.”

This short story is perfect for introducing irony and tone in a way that sticks. Irony is one of the hardest concepts for students to grasp. It’s often confused with something simply being unexpected.

We start talking about irony from the title. Lambs are often associated with innocence, which directly contrasts with the violent act that follows. The police eating the murder weapon is another clear example. It’s not just surprising; it completely clashes with what they should be doing.

Tone is just as important. Students like talking about how Mary’s tone shifts after the murder. At first she tries to act normal, covering up what she did. Some even feel bad for her in that moment. But when they see her laughing at the end, they aren’t sure what to make of her. That uncertainty sparks the best discussions and leads naturally into literary analysis.

What Students Notice (and What They Miss)

Comparison chart for Lamb to the Slaughter. Left column titled “What Students Notice” with bullet points about the unusual murder weapon, Mary’s calm demeanor, twist ending, and detectives eating the evidence. Right column titled “What Students Miss” with points about deeper irony, overlooked clues, symbolism in the leg of lamb, and Mary’s pregnancy.

One of my favorite parts of reading short stories with students is seeing what they notice and what they overlook. Many don’t realize Mary is pregnant until much later because the line “she was in her sixth month with child” is so subtle.

When that detail clicks, their opinions often shift. Mary becomes more than just a murderer.

She’s a mother under pressure.

This leads to one of my favorite discussion questions: Is Mary a villain, or is she a good person with problems and hardships? Strong opinions like these are the foundation for meaningful literary analysis, and no two students ever answer the same way.

How I Approach Lamb to the Slaughter

Three-step reading strategy graphic for Lamb to the Slaughter. Steps include: “Read Once for Shock” with sparkles icon, “Read Again for Analysis” with magnifying glass icon, and “Discuss & Write” with pencil icon. Navy text on beige background with orange-bordered boxes connected by navy arrows.

I like to read the short story twice. The first time is just to get past the shock factor. The second time is where we dig deep, talking about how tone changes, why the author made certain choices, and how a shift in point of view might change the story.

Stories like this show students that writing isn’t just about word counts and paragraphs. It’s about understanding meaning, exploring perspectives, and thinking critically. Even reluctant writers often have something to say when a story grabs their attention.