Before the Murder:
* Loving and Devoted Wife: Mary is presented as a loving and devoted wife who dotes on her husband, Patrick. She is described as "a small, slim woman," "pretty," and "blonde."
* Domestic and Submissive: Mary embodies traditional feminine roles of the time, spending her days cooking and cleaning. She seems submissive to Patrick's wishes and decisions.
* Naïve and Trusting: She appears to be unaware of her husband's infidelity and seems shocked by his news.
During the Murder:
* Sudden and Unexpected Violence: Mary's personality takes a dramatic turn when Patrick breaks the news of his plans to leave her. She instantly snaps, killing him with a frozen leg of lamb. This sudden change highlights a hidden rage and frustration within her.
* Cold-Blooded and Calculating: After the murder, Mary displays an unsettling calmness and control. She meticulously stages the scene and plans her alibi, showcasing a calculated and cunning side.
After the Murder:
* Manipulation and Deception: Mary expertly manipulates the police, using her perceived innocence and domesticity to their advantage. She leads them astray with her feigned distress and creates a false impression of a perfect wife.
* Detachment and Ruthlessness: Mary shows little remorse for the murder, even going as far as serving the murder weapon to the police officers. This demonstrates a chilling detachment and ruthlessness.
Overall Character Change:
Mary Maloney's character transformation is a stark contrast between the loving and docile wife she appears to be and the cold-blooded killer she becomes. This change highlights themes of:
* The Suppression of Anger: Mary's years of suppressed frustration and anger towards her husband, combined with his betrayal, finally explode in a violent act.
* The Power of the Feminine: Mary's use of her feminine attributes, like her domesticity and seeming vulnerability, to deceive and manipulate the police, challenges traditional gender stereotypes and portrays a more complex and powerful female character.
* The Darkness Within: The story suggests that even the seemingly harmless and innocuous can harbor dark secrets and be capable of extreme violence.
Mary's character change is what makes "Lamb to the Slaughter" such a compelling and unsettling story. It leaves the reader questioning the true nature of human beings, the consequences of repressed emotions, and the hidden potential for violence within us all.