Question

At night, the slugs lined up on the underside of the boards we placed in the garden. In the morning, like lambs to the slaughter, they clung quietly, determined, to their spot on the board. What does the phrase like lambs to slaughter suggest?

Answer 1

The phrase 'Like a Lamb to the slaughter' suggests that the slugs are patiently waiting for death. A lamb would not know that they are being led to death, all they see is bait, and they are content.

Answer 2

Like lambs to a slaughter suggests that the slugs (much like the sheep) have no idea that death comes soon, for the slugs either the birds will get them, they get dried out(?), or they risk being found by a human. For the sheep, they’re happy because they have an unlimited supply of food and they’re happy, but they’re being led to their deaths.