Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" possesses many characteristics of shock and flaws in human nature. The shock is created with the contrast between the seeming normality of a society and the savage acts that they commit repeatedly. An outwardly normal village suddenly takes on the picture of a bizarre dark place on the day of "The Lottery". An obvious flaw in human nature: the traditional murders in the village are made known to us. Also, that the characters in her story have a lack of emotion and foresight. "All right folks," Mr. Summers said. "Let's finish quickly" (352). The short story "The Lottery" is frightening because it succeeds in revealing the darker side in human nature. In "The Lottery", we are horrified by the atrocity of this ruthless murder that is committed.
             In "The Lottery" one learns that tradition is important. There are several supported examples throughout the story including: The timing and date of the lottery, the officiator of the lottery Mr. Summers (347), and lastly, what the lottery represents to this micro society of "their village". Shirley Jackson has made tradition not the central but certainly a prevalent theme in this short story. While it is easy to see why some traditions are easy to carry on such as holidays and special occasions; as a reader one struggle with why, this particular barbaric tradition of "The Lottery" has been preserved and even institutionalized by the villagers.
             While the same date may seem a small thing and relatively unimportant; this particular date does have significance to the lottery and the tradition. "The Lottery" is held the same time every year on June 27(347). When Mr. Adams bring up the fact that other villages have given up on this cruel and senseless tradition, Old Man Warner warns, "Pack of crazy fools, he said: "Listening to the young...