In this short story, a lot of imagery and diction was used by the author which made the story good. However, there was very few figurative language. The conflict of the story was that Mary killed her husband with a lamb leg and has to find a way out of it.
Imagery:"She loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man,and to fell almost as a sunbather feels the sun that warm male glow that came out of him to her when they were alone together."
Diction: "It didn't take long,four or five minutes at most, and she say very still through it all,watching him with a kind of dazed horror as he went further and further away from her with each word."
Figurative Language: When the clock said ten minutes to five,she began to listen,and a few moments later,punctually as always,she heard the tires on the gravel outside,and the ear door slamming,the footsteps passing the window,the key turning in the lock."
Characterization:"She knew he didn't want to speak much until the first drink was finished,and she,on her side,was content to sit quietly,enjoying his company after the long hours alone in the house.
Setting:"Mary Maloney was waiting for her husband to come home from work."
Theme:"Probably right under our very noses. What you think,Jack? And in the other room,Mary Maloney began to giggle.
Conflict:"Her first instinct was not to believe any of it,to reject it all." "All right,she told herself.So I've killed him."