The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson uses foreshadowing in “The Lottery,” to hint at things that may happen later in the story. The author first uses it to show the tone of the story. For example the story starts off as a happy place with with green grass and blooming flowers but then she includes, “The villagers kept their distance, leaving a space between themselves and the stool.” (Jackson) This shows that the villagers know something that the readers do not yet know, it looks to readers as if the stool or something on the stool is represents something bad. Therefore when you find out that the box on the stool contains lottery slips it makes you wonder why a lottery can be so bad. This contributed to the story by making people wonder and predict why the slips

For centuries, the socioeconomic status of a person determines their role in society. People who tend to have more money are subjected to a higher position with more power thus, having more influence on people around them. More often than not, people in high position of power take part in cruel acts that force many other to turn a blind eye. A prime example, would be World War II and the power of the Nazi army. Of course situation like these are not always fictional. In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” the people of the town submit to their economic status and knowingly turn a blind eye to the despicable actions that take place in their town. This suggests that “The Lottery” can be view through the Historical and Marxist lens and it displays how war and turning a blind eye became a common occurrence in society and how it was better to stay quiet than challenge tradition.

In literature, many authors love for throw an unexpected twist as the end. Shirley Jackson is no exception. In the short stories “The Lottery” and “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley Jackson both take twist that the reader doesn’t expect. In “The Lottery” a small town gathers to draw a winner; however Tessie Hutchinson is not delighted to be the winner. Also in “The Possibility of Evil” another small town has an unexpected villain who resides on Pleasant St. Shirley Jackson uses literary devices to depict twist at the end of her short stories because she used literary devices such as syntax, irony and mood.

In some ways, “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson could be seen as controversial. Within the first paragraph, we are left with two main questions; “what is the lottery?” and “why does it happen?” A major theme that answers the first question is all about tradition. Yes, the lottery is a tradition in many towns. No one has ever questioned this tradition, even though it is quite inhumane. In all honesty, you could compare this story very well to The Hunger Games just because of what this tradition consists of. Imagine being in a town of around three hundred people and having your life put on the line. The lottery itself comes down to all of the townspeople meeting up, and each family name is read by Mr. Summers, and the head of the family

The author of “The Lottery” Shirley Jackson decided it was important to write this short story in order to inform the readers about another dimension, where a certain common tradition gets prized with something obscure. Some readers can be shocked when reading this story, because they might be surprised and even shocked with the themes that play along in the storyline. This short story “The Lottery” was so controversial at the time, because in the date it was published in June 24, 1948 there were so many themes from the stories that could relate to past events or even event that were taking place at the time.

In “The lottery” Shirley Jackson uses foreshadowing to hint at the stoning that happens at the very end of the story. For example in the text it says “--eventually made a great pile of stones in one corner of the square and guarded it against the raids of the other boys.” (Jackson). This quotation shows that the kids are making piles of stones for a future use that we don’t know about until the very end of the story. This quote also shows how the kids make a big pile of stones and if they are making a big pile of stones then they would have to have a huge use for them later. Therefore the children are making piles of stones for something that happens later in the story. Jackson’s use of foreshadowing in “The Lottery” contributed to the story

One of the most shocking literary devices in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is the setting. “The Lottery” being set in any town of the United States of America points to how important the reoccurring theme is. By not placing the story in any specific place, Jackson leaves the readers to wonder and evaluate the general inhumanity that surrounds them. When it comes to saving oneself a person seems to easily harm someone else. Along with the setting Jackson uses a great deal of irony, motifs, and symbolism to illustrate how easily society conforms in order to save oneself in “The Lottery.”

In many stories, settings are constructed to help build the mood and to foreshadow of things to come. "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson is a story in which the setting sets up the reader to think of positive outcomes. However, this description of the setting foreshadows exactly the opposite of what is to come. In addition, the theme that we learn of at the end leads us to think of where the sanity of some human beings lies.

Jackson uses the young children in this society, particularly the young boys, to show how they participate in this act, simply because the adults do. The boys in this story are used to foreshadow the future ritual known as The Lottery. Jackson makes it very obvious to the reader that the boys enjoy this tradition. When the short story begins, the boys have already begun gathering stones, showing their anticipation, and excitement, for this ritual to begin. She also states that “the children have gathered first of course,” (1) once again showing their anticipation for this event. Jackson also makes it a point to connect the

“The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson is an incredible story of a stoning tradition played every year in the summer so that the following year will have a successful harvest. When this short story was published in 1948, it received outraged negative criticism. I agree with the critics’ opinions, but without the negativity that this is a great story that expresses how humanity has the ability to conform and inherit evil, follow ancient and outdated rituals, and how it uses a scapegoat as its principle themes.

When a person thinks of the lottery they think of something good. They fantasize about all of the luxurious things they can now afford, and moving into a fancy new neighborhood. While playing games, there is a winner and a loser. The Hunger Games and “The Lottery” certainly include both. When some people play the lottery they gamble away their life’s savings with hopes of winning three or four times as much as they own. The lottery in this case is more of a death pool. Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” shares infinite similarities with Suzanne Collins trilogy The Hunger Games.

When I was a child, I listened to and followed the traditions of my parents. I never questioned it; I blindly followed along. As an adult, I understand that some traditions passed down from generation to generation are important; however, for traditions that do not make sense to me, I chose not to pass to the next generation. In the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, the characters blindly follow a tradition that no one is certain how started but continue anyway. The purpose of the lottery in the story is to decided who in the town will be stoned to death because they believe it will ensure a fertile growing season. We do not know the year in which the story takes place, but we do know that some of the surrounding towns and communities are also participating in the lottery, and that some of the other towns have chosen to discontinue it. While some believe that the traditions passed down from their elders should be honored and carried out blindly, others think that some traditions that don’t make sense need to be stopped. Just like in Jackson’s “The Lottery” the ideology of blindly following traditions can have an adverse effect on society.

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson uses extensive symbols and metaphors. It is a short story which has been equally appreciated as well as rejected by audience. The main themes of this story are those of tradition and scapegoat. The story begins with the author informing the reader about the time the lottery is going to begin by using certain phrases like “tractors and taxes” (Jackson, 76). Furthermore, the writer narrates the dress of Mr. Summers to be a “clean white shirt and blue jeans” (Jackson 78) which further supports the arrival of the lottery.

In the short stories “The Possibility of Evil” and “The Lottery”, both written by Shirley Jackson, it is clear that she uses many literary elements, and not only meets the requirements of a short story, but perhaps goes above and beyond the requirements to create a literary work of art. The elements she uses to really tie her stories together are the mood she creates,the way she’d reveal the outcome, and especially the irony. These elements both compare and contrast each other in the two short stories, which makes Jackson’s short stories so stellar and unique.

A lot of things stood out to me about “The Lottery.” This story is very different and very powerful, the message to this story is also very important. I think that Jackson is trying to get a strong point across to the audience, which as a reader I enjoy finding the meaning to a story. The main characters of this story all have very important roles to this story and I feel like I know them when I read the story which really helps me connect. The writing style of this story made it easy to read and understand. Jackson wrote this story in a way that is easy and clean to read.