The Lottery
"The Lottery" is Shirley Jackson's dark and compelling short story about an annual ritual that takes place in what is ostensibly a typical small town in New England. It begins innocently enough on a "...clear and sunny...full-summer day...", but quickly takes a dark twist. Jackson explores the evil side of human nature, the inherent dangers of rituals, the "mob" mentality, and the subjugation of woman, as she lures the reader from this beautiful summer day through a two-hour gathering of townspeople to draw names to determine the "winner" of the lottery. The purpose of this lottery is not revealed immediately, but it quickly becomes apparent that something is awry. Written in third person with very simple, somewhat detached diction, using irony and such ominous symbols as the "black box", Jackson creates suspense early in "The Lottery", increasing the reader's anticipation, as well as anxiety level, with every paragraph. Probably the most important theme of "The Lottery" dea
no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box. Children are released from school and important government and financial leaders all take a break from work. The annual ritual in this story, the lottery, we eventually learn, is not something one wants to win. Why, if the event about to take place is good, are the children "uneasy" and why are the men telling jokes that are "quiet" and "smiling" rather than "laughing"? Why, when the names are called, are the people ". " as the townspeople can remember and they ". the feeling of liberty sat uneasily on.
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Acceptance Essays
