When you hear the word lottery, what first comes to your mind? Winning a large sum of money probably comes to mind before being stoned to death does. In the short story "The Lottery", Shirley Jackson brings this horrible idea to life. It also raises some universal truth about living in a community and learning to question tradition and its impact on families. Another point risen is that women need to develop their opinions and assert them loud and clear, because this story proves that women, in this day and time, are not letting their mind and mouth follow their heart.
             The tradition in one New England area is called the Lottery. Mr. Summers was the conductor of the lottery, and also he organized square dances, the teen club, and the Halloween party. He was not someone who was envied because his wife was a scold and they had no children (p. 132 paragraph 2).
             The Lottery consisted of an old black box. Mr. Summers would put papers in the box. The unfortunate to pick the paper with the black dot on it was to be stoned to death.
             Many materialistic aspects of the lottery were dropped. The old black box had become shabby, splintered, and faded. Zero efforts were made by anyone to make this box better. At one time, the papers were actually wood chips, back when the town was smaller. Clearly no enhancements have been made to this tradition. This box was not even assigned a safe place for keeping (top of page 133). This box was dreaded, and the people showed that they did not enjoy this ritual.
             Mrs. Hutchinson ironically arrives to this ceremony late. When her husband confronts her about the lateness, she replies "wouldn't have me leave m'dishes in the sink, now would you, Joe?"(p133. bottom paragraph)
             The air is uneasy and nervous during the picking. It is clearly understood that this is not something the women in particular look forward to. But it is shown tha
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