Although the writer gives ample clues throughout the story, the reader finds itself so shocked at the end of "The Lottery". The reader feels the evil of this tradition held in their community. The Lottery is a yearly drawing of families in the community for the death by stoning would be the outcome. To the end with such a climactic feeling, the author uses several forms of literary devices in the setting that created irony. Irony exists in this story from the very beginning in the form of the title of the story, "The Lottery." We usually associate the term "lottery" with something good something we would like to win. In this story, however, the person who wins the lottery is actually the loser, that is, they are to be stoned.
             The day itself is a day beautiful enough for a picnic. It was "clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green." (272) The descriptions here make you think of people getting together for a celebration. The author goes on to describe the children gathering first quietly, then later they joined together in "boisterus play." (272) Also casually mentioned is the "great pile of stones" (272) gathered by the boys. Later the men began to gather. They stood together, away from the pile of stones. (272) Again the pile of stones is mentioned, yet they seem to have no bearing in the story. And last come the women, in their faded housedresses and sweaters. The are described as gossiping as they would on any other day, although this is definitely not any other day. (273) The author has created a setting that portrays something exciting and something to be eagerly anticipated.
             The most ironic part of the story, is when Mrs. Hutchinson arrives late to the event. There seems to be a great deal of unexplained build up to this part of th
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