Mary Maloney Is a Complex Person with a Split Personality. Discuss.

667 Words3 Pages
“Mary Maloney is a complex person with a split personality.” Discuss. In Roald Dahl’s story, “Lamb to the slaughter”, one of the main characters featured, is Mary Maloney. At first, she comes across as a pleasant, good and happy woman, who is very thoughtful and considerate towards others. But as the story unfolds, you start to see some of her not so good traits and qualities. The story demonstrates that she is a good housewife, and very homely. For example, it says: The room is neat and tidy, the chairs are facing each other, the lamps are on, and the drinks are ready. This suggests that she is well organised and likes to have everything just right for her husband. The room is described as being warm and welcoming. This shows a positive side of her split personality. However, along with this, Mary is also very Obsessive. If things are not exactly right, in place and to her satisfaction, the she is likely to cause a fuss. Mary is pregnant in the story, and seems very happy to be so. It suggests that she is excited and looking forward to having her baby. Roald Dahl used these phrases to demonstrate this: “Her skin is glowing” and “Her eyes had a new placid look”. Mary is also very loving, loyal and devoted to her husband.In the text it states that “she loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man.” This shows that she treats her husband like he’s a luxury. Mary awaits his return calmly every night, and when he arrives, she nurses and cares for him. She would be happy to get him what ever he wanted. This implies that she is very reliable, and devoted to making sure her husband is well and happy. It also shows that she is very attentive in caring and helping him. Although she has this warm, loving side to her, she is incredibly violent. “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

More about Mary Maloney Is a Complex Person with a Split Personality. Discuss.

Open Document