Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Lamb to the Slaughter is a short, sharp, chilling story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale.
In Lamb to the Slaughter, Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells a twisted story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a wife serves up a dish that utterly baffles the police . . .
Lamb to the Slaughter is taken from the short story collection Someone Like You, which includes seventeen other devious and shocking stories, featuring the two men who make an unusual and chilling wager over the provenance of a bottle of wine; a curious machine that reveals the horrifying truth about plants; the man waiting to be bitten by the venomous snake asleep on his stomach; and others.
'The absolute master of the twist in the tale.' (Observer )
This story is also available as a Penguin digital audio download read by Juliet Stevenson.
Roald Dahl, the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more classics for children, also wrote scores of short stories for adults. These delightfully disturbing tales have often been filmed and were most recently the inspiration for the West End play, Roald Dahl's Twisted Tales by Jeremy Dyson. Roald Dahl's stories continue to make readers shiver today.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The story features a significant act of violence where Mary Maloney kills her husband with a leg of lamb. This act is central to the plot and is described in a manner that highlights its shocking nature. The narrative also includes the aftermath of the murder, which involves police officers unknowingly consuming the murder weapon. The story contains elements that could be considered frightening, particularly the shocking nature of the murder and the psychological tension experienced by Mary Maloney. The narrative builds a sense of dread as she contemplates the implications of her actions.
Does Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have violence?
The story features a significant act of violence where Mary Maloney kills her husband with a leg of lamb. This act is central to the plot and is described in a manner that highlights its shocking nature. The narrative also includes the aftermath of the murder, which involves police officers unknowingly consuming the murder weapon.
Does Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have scary content?
The story contains elements that could be considered frightening, particularly the shocking nature of the murder and the psychological tension experienced by Mary Maloney. The narrative builds a sense of dread as she contemplates the implications of her actions.
Does Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have religious themes?
The story contains references to Christian themes, particularly in the context of hospitality and morality, as seen in the line where Mary Maloney mentions that her husband would not forgive her if she did not offer hospitality. This suggests an influence of Christian values on the characters' actions.
Does Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have racial/cultural content?
There are no explicit themes of race or racism in 'Lamb to the Slaughter.' The narrative does not address racial issues or include characters of different races as a central theme.
Does Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have profanity?
No profanity is present in the text of 'Lamb to the Slaughter.' The search results do not mention any use of strong language or inappropriate terms in the narrative.
Does Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have climate change?
There are no themes related to climate or environmental issues in 'Lamb to the Slaughter.' The search results do not indicate any content addressing climate change or activism.
Does Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have sexual identity?
There are no sexual themes or content present in 'Lamb to the Slaughter.' The search results do not indicate any references to sexual situations or discussions within the story.
Does Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have gender roles?
The story explores traditional gender roles, particularly through the character of Mary Maloney, who is portrayed as a devoted wife. However, her actions challenge these roles as she takes drastic measures against her husband, suggesting a critique of the expectations placed on women. The narrative reflects on the dynamics of power and control within the marriage.
Does Lamb to the Slaughter (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes are present in the narrative of 'Lamb to the Slaughter.' The search results do not indicate any relevant content related to LGBTQ+ representation or themes within the story itself.
