The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson serves as a reminder to the fact that evilexists in forms of heinous traditions and customs and men's nature inseemingly normal society and apparently pleasant environment. That'sexactly how things are in reality and this is main difference betweenShirley's Lottery and other tragic stories that depict evil in the society.To show how things are normal and the ambiance pleasant, Shirley starts thestory by giving details of the weather "the morning of June 27th was clearand sunny", and the daily activities of the residents of the villages "they(children) broke into boisterous play... and their talk was still of theclassroom and the teacher, of books and reprimands...They (women) greeted oneanother and exchanged bits of gossip".Shirley uses a number of symbols, names and objects, to emphasis on thistheme. The names of all main characters hint about the theme and their truehidden natures. Summers, Graves, Warner, Mrs. Delacroix and Mrs. Hutchinsonare some of the names. The name and nature of Mr. Summers apparently seemtoo cheerful and full of life. "Mr. Summers who had time and energy todevote to civic activities. He was a round-faced, jovial man". However, he
Graves made up the slips of paper and put them in thebox", and therefore one of those who decide whose will be killed. His nameis a clear indication of it, Graves a symbol of death. Women were stoned if their family's name was drawn. Summers said, "Some of you fellows want to give me a hand' therewas a hesitation" because it was the main determinant of the winner , theone who going to die next. In Americanliterature , summer is time for ancient rituals. " but when herfamily's name is drawn she reveals her true nature being violent andinsensitive to the point that she demands of her married daughter toincluded to increases her chances. Both Durbars and Watsons weren't economically stablebecause Mr. Hutchinson isanother example of evil that exist in society. Hutchinson, chooses the largest stone to hit herfriend and also encourages other people, which reveal Mrs. Summers reminded her that "daughters draw with their husbands' families"(562) showing that woman in every family were made the target.
Common topics in this essay:
Similarly Delacroix,
Shirley's Lottery,
Summers Graves,
Similarly Hutchinson,
Similarly Warner,
Delacroix Hutchinson,
June American,
Shirley Jackson,
Durbars Watsons,
Eva Hutchinson,
family's name,
evil exists,
summers graves,
family's name drawn,
name drawn,
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Acceptance Essays
