Mary Maloney was happily and patiently waiting for her husband to come in from work. What does this say about her and her marriage?
Various answers.
15
“This is going to be a bit of a shock to you, I’m afraid,” he said. “But I’ve thought about it a good deal and I’ve decided the only thing to do is tell you right away. I hope you won’t blame me too much.” What did he tell her?
Various answers.
15
Patrick Maloney is a veteran policeman, and Mary Maloney is a pregnant housewife. She murders him and seems to get away with it. What kind of irony is this?
dramatic
verbal
situational
15
Think about Mary's name. It is an allusion to Mary from the Bible. How/why is that situationally ironic?
Various answers.
15
Think about the murder weapon. How/why is it situationally ironic that this object was used to kill a man? (Think about its original purpose. What was it supposed to be before it became a murder weapon?)
Various answers.
15
Think about and her pregnancy. How/why does it make the murder situationally ironic?
Various answers.
15
We know that Mary Maloney committed the murder, but the police don't. What kind of irony is that?
situational
dramatic
verbal
15
What was Mary Maloney's motivation for covering up her crime?
She feared jail and what would happen to her.
She wanted to protect her unborn child.
15
We know the police eat the murder weapon, but they don't. What kind of irony is that?
dramatic
verbal
situational
15
How does Mary Maloney demonstrate actions of a stereotypical 1950's housewife? (Think back to our gender roles research.)
Various answers.
15
How does Patrick Maloney demonstrate actions of a stereotypical 1950's husband? (Think back to our gender roles research.)
Various answers.
15
Who was the lamb to the slaughter in this story? Explain.
Patrick Maloney
15
Will Mary Maloney ever get caught? Explain.
Various answers.
15
What clues help the reader infer that this takes place during the 1950's? (think gender roles, the police investigation, Mary's grocery shopping, Mary's pregnancy, etc.) Identify three things.
Various answers.
15
Mary says, “It’d be a favor to me if you’d eat it up.” (She is referring to the lamb) What type of irony?
Various answers.
15
The policemen assume a burglar entered the home and killed Patrick with a large wrench. What type of irony?
