"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" deals with the reluctance of society to discontinue rituals, tradition, and ideas which should be rejected due to danger or discrimination. The annual ritual in this story, the lottery, we eventually learn, is not something one wants to win. Rather, it's an event that has been held "as far back..." as the townspeople can remember and they "...see no reason to end it". Yet, the winner of this lottery will be stoned to death. Jackson's uses foreshadowing early on ("...the feeling of liberty sat uneasily on..." the children) and Dickie Delacroix "...made a great pile of stones...and guarded it..." to create suspense and let the reader know that this will be no ordinary lottery.
             Jackson also uses symbolism to create suspense in "The Lottery". The "black box" which holds the names to be drawn seems
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