Final answer:
Mary in 'Lamb to the Slaughter' initially embodies the typical 1950s housewife role, being attentive and subservient, paralleling the expectations and experiences observed by Betty Friedan among other real-life housewives who felt constrained by societal norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks how Mary's actions in the beginning of Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl compare to a 1950s housewife. In the early part of the story, Mary exhibits behaviors that align closely with the 1950s societal expectations of a housewife. She is doting and attentive towards her husband, eagerly waiting for him to come home from work, concerned with preparing the home and dinner to his liking, and is generally subservient, which reflects the typical domestic role of women during that era.
Betty Friedan and her work highlight the disillusionment of many women with the homemaker role, as many felt isolated and unfulfilled. Despite following the expected behaviors, these housewives, like the character of Mary to some extent, harbored deeper complexities and potential dissatisfaction, which could spark rebellion against these standards—something that Mary's later actions in the story echo.