Today’s Checklist

The three types of ironyIrony in Lamb to the Slaughter Dear RND

Lamb to the Slaughter

IronyIrony

Irony in the movies … Shrek 2In this clip, where do you see the opposite of

what is expected?

Verbal irony - A contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is meant

Example - “Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man". - Julius Caesar

Note: This is not the same literary device as an oxymoron!

The three types of ironyThe three types of irony

Dramatic irony - A situation in which the audience knows something about present or future circumstances that the character does not know

Example - Romeo finds Juliet in a drugged sleep. He assumes her to be dead and kills himself. Upon awakening to find her dead lover beside her, Juliet then kills herself.

Situational irony - A contradiction of expectation between what might be expected and what actually occurs often connected to a fatalistic or pessimistic view of life

Example – Water, water, every where,And all the boards did shrink ; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink

Irony in Lamb to the Slaughter

With a partner, find an example of each of the three types of irony in our first short story

Elements of a short story

Having read Lamb to the Slaughter, consider what aspects make it the perfect short story

Think about Length Character Plot Conclusion

Elements of a short story

Length: a classic definition of a short story is that one should be able to read it in one sitting.

Concise: information offered in the story is relevant to the tale being told. This is unlike a novel, where the story can diverge from the main plot

Short story plot

Take note!

Exposition The setting of the Maloney household is established

Rising action Patrick acts bizarrely, e.g. he drinks his entire drink

Conflict Patrick reveals a secret to Mary

Climax Mary reacts by hitting Patrick in the head with a leg of lamb, killing him as a result

Falling action Mary proceeds to the grocer, calls the police and they arrive, proceeding with an inquisition

Denouement The policemen eat the murder weapon as Mary laughs to herself

Lamb to the Slaughter

1. From what point of view is the story narrated?2. Describe the atmosphere of the story in its beginning. How

does it change throughout?3. Identify an example of each of the three types of irony in

this story.4. What does Mr. Maloney announce? 5. Imagine that you are a detective on this case. Who are your

witnesses, besides Mrs. Maloney herself? 6. Do you think that the murder was premeditated or a “crime

of passion”?

Dear RND Due Monday

Hint: Using a quotation or even song lyrics to inspire your main idea can be a helpful start!

Be sure to consistently address "RND" throughout the letter (as though it is a person). Think personification!

Introduction Express your main idea briefly

Body Elaborate on your main idea by providing three examples to support it Express your hopes and dreams for the four years that you will spend at RND

Conclusion Reiterate your main idea (using different wording) Salutation