The Lottery by: Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” leaves the reader feeling uncomfortably disturbed.

It is a story about society, traditions and the way we follow them just because generations before us have. In general, a tradition is something that’s been handed down from generation to generation. We often go along with them without questioning the meaning or perhaps even changing them for our own conveniences. Let’s take for example our traditional holidays of Easter and Christmas; originally, these were religious holidays. These traditions were meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and the rising of Jesus from the tomb after his death. What are these traditions today? They have changed and become commercially oriented with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Do we question this? Maybe some do, but for the most part, we just go along with it. Many of us have taught our own children to decorate the Christmas tree, or the Easter eggs. We may still put a manger under the tree, or put chocolate crosses in the Easter basket. Most of us have probably not taken the time to explain why. This is comparable to the way they give little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles (228) training him to carry on the tradition for future

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The village holds square dances, a teen club, a Halloween program as well as other civic activities. Old Man Warner counters with, “Pack of crazy fools,” he said. ” (222) The children are willfully gathering the weapons for the eventual homicide. The girl children stood to the side, faded into the background indicating where their place will be as they grow up. Bits and pieces of the original tradition of the lottery remain, as in the bits and pieces of the original box. Tessie did not conform to the ways of the top of their social structure. In the end, we are left with a dark uneasy feeling. The way in which the villagers gathered for the lottery said a lot about the social structure.

The primary conductors of the lottery also happen to be the most prominent men in the village. Ultimately Tessie would have to go so she didn’t corrupt others. Although disturbing to read Jackson’s story is as she intends it to be, thought provoking. ” (222) The village sounds like somewhere you might want to live. Have you made any changes over the years for your convenience? While our traditions are not as ghastly as the one in “The Lottery” Jackson makes her readers look at society and the hypocrisies they impose on themselves and others.

Approximate Word count = 1947
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

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