Mary Maloney

Mary Maloney is the protagonist of "Lamb to the Slaughter", and a character which develops as a result of murder. In the end, Mary transforms from an innocent young wife to a cold-blooded killer.

Outer characterisation

Her outer characterisation reveals that she is married to a detective, that she is six-months pregnant and that she loves her husband. At the same time, the following fragment reveals that her beauty and glow are the consequences of her pregnancy:

There was a slow smiling air about her, and about everything she did. The drop of a head as she bent over her sewing was curiously tranquil. Her skin - for this was her sixth month with child - had acquired a wonderful translucent quality, the mouth was soft, and the eyes, with their new placid look, seemed larger darker than before.

Note that nothing is said about Mary’s age; however, the fact that she is pregnant with her first child indicates that she might be a young wife and future mother. While waiting for her husband, she occupies her time with sewing. Another interesting element about Mary is the fact that she always cooks dinner for her husband, except for Thursdays, when the two eat out.

Inner characterisation

Mary’s inner characterisation initially reveals that she is deeply in love with her husband and that she always waits for his arrival impatiently:

For her, this was always a blissful time of day. She knew he didn’t want to speak much until the first drink was finished, and she, on her side, was content to sit quietly, enjoying his company after the long hours alone in the house. 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. She loved him…

When he arrives home, she is always keen on preparing a drink for him and patiently waits for him to talk:

She took his coat and hung it in the closet. Then she walked over and made the drinks, a strongish one for...

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