Comparing Lamb to the Slaughter and the Speckled Band :: Lamb Band Slaughter compare Contrast Essays

Comparing Lamb to the Slaughter and the Speckled Band In this essay i am going to compare two short stories, and see if they are traditional murder mystery stories. I want to see if the stories also follow the conventions of a murder mystery story. One story is called 'Lamb to the Slaughter' and the other is 'The Speckled Band'. The story 'Lamb to the Slaughter' ('LTS') was written in 1954, which is over sixty years ago. 'The Speckled Band' ('TSB') was written in 1892. Roald Dahl wrote the story 'LTS'. This story does not follow the conventions of a murder mystery story. Arthur Conan Doyle wrote 'TSB'. This is a murder mystery story. It follows the basic conventions of murder mysteries. I will try to show the differences between the two stories, and show how the stories have different genres. Genre is a type. Geenre is a french word which means Type. Many things have genres. Things we use to entertain ourselfs with, or pass time with, have a genre. For example, films, music, books, games and many other things have genres. Genre is important because it lets people know what they are doing. If someone is watching a film they would wnt to know what genre it is. It could be a horror,thriller, comedy or anything else. So this helps them to know what type of film they are watching, but it would not give away any part of the film. Genre is useful for writers, film makers or artists. They would know what area to target, and they can make money. I am trying to find out if these two stories, 'LTS' and 'TSB', are murder mysery stories. Murder mysteries have conventions. They are basic requirments and these are: -The Detective is the main focus -The reader/viewer (if a film) is set a challenge or challanges -Usually set ater the murder -Gradually builds tention -Denoment (crime is solved) Ending -Then ending has a moral Every murder mystery has a basic story line and must have most of the conventions to fit the genre. In 'LTS' Mrs Maloney is portrayed as a normal wife. She is not presented as a murderer. At the beginning of the story it said she "...glance up at the clock" and "...was waiting for her husband." When he came back home she "Took his coat." She then "Walked over and made the drinks." This is what any normal wife would do. She then asked, "Shall i get your slippers?" and she wanted to make him some dinner. She appears as though she is a loving caring wife. She does not look like a suspect for any type of