Comparing Patrick and Mary Maloney, the two main characters in "Lamb to the Slaughter," reveals a number of similarities and differences. Although they have very different social roles, both Mary and Patrick work hard at what they do. As a housewife, Mary dedicates her day to ensuring the comfort of her husband, while Patrick, a police officer, has to "walk around all day long." Both, then, are devoted to their work.
Similarly, they are both creatures of habit. Mary knows and looks forward to the signs of her husband's impending arrival, like the key turning in the clock. Then, "punctually as always," Patrick and Mary sit together and enjoy a drink.
In contrast, one of their differences relates to their decision-making ability. Patrick, for example, spends time thinking about a situation before making a decision. We see this in his decision to divorce his wife. Mary, on the other hand, is impulsive; her choice to murder her husband is rash and lacks any foresight.
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