Shirley Jackson The Lottery Analysis

A detailed Summary of Shirley Jackson The Lottery Analysis

The rigid structure of society reinforces order and promotes conformity of all classes, but an individual contradicting established customs poses a threat. Shirley Jackson, the author of The Lottery, conveys that rebellious impulses of humans are repressed by society to maintain a rigid social order.

The lottery enforces an unfair distinction in class status between men and women. Women are subordinate in the social power structure of the village, as shown when Mrs. Hutchinson's family is chosen in the first round. Objecting that her daughter and son-in-law "didn't take their chance," (562) Mr. Summers reminds her that "daughters draw with their husbands' families," (562) showing that power is exclusively held in the hands of males in families. Women, as inferior housewives, must submit to their husbands' power over them because as men in the work f

Pack of crazy fools, listening to young folks, nothing's good enough for them. Next think you know, they'll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live that way for a while. Used to be a saying about 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.' (561)

Jackson demonstrates society's belief that without the lottery as a symbol of a suppressing threat to cause fear, there would be no motivation to work. Because there is a fear, work is done and society and order are preserved.

In addition to the reinforcement of a firm division between the genders, the institution of the lottery maintains the structure of society by motivating work. A fear is instilled that lack of productivity will cause one to be selected in the next lottery and banished from the common group. The village reveals this fear in their questions after the first round: "Who is it? Who's got it? Is it the

Some common words found in the essay are:
Shirley Jackson, Dunbars Watsons, Anne Hutchinson, Youth Hitler, Repressing Challenges, Davy Hutchinson, Hutchinson Jackson, structure society, dunbars watsons,

Approximate Word count = 608
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

join now Save Paper

Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

"Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
Jack M.
"With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
Brian P.
"I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
Sara J.
"I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
Rachel W.
"I love this site!!!"
Marie N.

Shirley Jackson The Lottery Analysis

Related Essays

Saved Paper

Newest Essays

Testimonials