Lamb To The Slaughter: Compare And Contrast Analysis Of The Original Story And The Film Adaptation
Generally, short stories and movie adaptations are known for their variations and adapted storylines. The short story 'Lamb to the Slaughter' Roald Dahl and the movie version by Alfred Hitchcock have some variations complementing the similarities. The film 'Lamb to the Slaughter' demonstrate a greater impact of what betrayal can do to a person through added dialogue, point of view, and more detailed descriptions. In this work "The Original Story And The Film Adaptation of Lamb To The Slaughter: Compare And Contrast Essay" we research the difference between this version of the story. The movie is suspenseful compared to the short story, a direct admirer, Patrick Maloney is more of an opposer. In the short story, Mary's intentions to cover up the murder are more obvious. The film adaptation of Lamb to the Slaughter by Alfred Hitchcock differs from the text by altering the pace, an attractive portrayal of the character of Patrick, and a lack of sympathy for Mary and her intentions. The interpretation of Hitchcock compares the directness of the short stories by slowing the progress by adding suspense and dialogue. He has Mary talking through her refusal to do this after Patrick talks about leaving her, saying 'You can't go. . . Patrick, I'm not going to let you go!' This dialogue integration leads the reader to suspect the intentions of Mary long before killing Patrick Maloney. Hitchcock, too, portrays Patrick in a way that makes him seem to be the cruel and brutal antagonist.
Hitchcock shows the audience that Patrick hasn't been faithful to Marry nor his marriage through a conversation between two officers. One said Patrick “used to fool around a bit now and again. ” Patrick is also condescending and revised towards Mary in the way he speaks to her and responds to her. While Hitchcock impersonates Patrick as a famous antagonist, he does not attempt to make Mary into an admirer that is connected or brazen. Unlike the silent giggle of Mary at the end of the short story, the conclusion of Hitchcock shows Mary smiling and malicious laughing. He also concludes the film by reminding us that Mary was attempting 'the same way' to murder Patrick with the uncooked lamb lag. This reduces any sympathy with Mary that the viewers might have had. It is difficult to imagine after this that the intentions of Mary could include anything other than self-interest and anger. It brings up the idea that she might have prepared every move before the night to cover up Patrick's murder. Throughout development, character portrayal, and how self-absorbed intentions for Mary surface, the film varies from the short story. Typically, short stories or versions of movies are noted for their variations and modified storylines. Roald Dahl's short story 'Lamb to the Slaughter' and Alfred Hitchcock's film version have some differences that contribute to the similarity. The movie 'Lamb to the Slaughter' shows a greater impact on what can be done to a person by adding dialogue, point of view, and more detailed descriptions. In Roald Dahl’s short story “Lamb to the Slaughter”, the plot’s development is more straightforward, Patrick is less cold-hearted, and the motives of Mary to cover up her crime are somewhat understandable.
Dahl follows the plot perfectly instead of drawing out the storyline with suspense, drama, and dialogue. For the most part, Dahl skips dialogue and narration. It reflects Mary's genuine surprise at the scenario by revealing that the events of the evening are quickly and dramatically unraveling, but it is also simple, lacking prolonged dialogue or static suspense. Dahl also describes Patrick as blunt but empathetic. Patrick, for instance, never tried to sit down in the film for his conversation with Mary, but he was polite in the message. He Sabbatum and “kept his head down in order that the sunshine from the lamp beside him fell across the top side of his face… She noticed there was a little muscle moving close to the corner of his left eye. ” Patrick's body language shows how he feels nervous, and perhaps even remorseful. This encourages the reader, despite his infidelity, to feel sympathy for him. Dahl also portrays the thoughts of Mary in a way that sometimes gives us a sense of sympathy for her.
This points out to the author that after murdering Patrick, Mary seeks the life of her baby rather than her own. “She knew quite well what the deal would be. What were the laws that are awaiting murderers? … Mary Maloney didn't know. And she certainly wasn't prepared to take the chance. ” Despite her motives for taking Patrick's life, this clarifies that her motives for covering up the murder were maternal. Ultimately, she lies to protect her child. Roald Dahl’s short story differs from the movie. Its progression of Patrick's portrayal and the revealed motives of Mary to cover up the murder. Several aspects could be recognized as points of comparison between the short story of Roald Dahl 'Lamb to the Slaughter' and Alfred Hitchcock movie adaption. Nevertheless, the largest and most noticeable variances are progression, depiction of Patrick's feelings, Mary's motives.
