The Lottery
Symbolism and irony are extremely present in The Lottery. This story represents the importance of social standards and classes in a society. Although the story takes place in what appears to be the 1950's time period, the prevalence of social status is still an important part of society today. In our time, who you know or how much money you are worth can most certainly get you out of many delicate, life altering situations. This is neither an ethical or morally correct approach; but then again we do not live in an "ideal" world. The lottery is run by the most respected and wealthy man in the town, Mr. Summers. Mr. Summers is the owner of the most successful business in town, a very profitable coal mill. Mr. Summers tries his hardest to appear like a common man when he arrives at the lottery. His attire is that of a pair of blue jeans topped with a white shirt. He is the source behind keeping the lottery going. Due to his social position, he has the power to continue the lottery or to make it cease. The symbolism behind his involvement pertains to his status. He enjoys the fact that he holds the power over his town. The people respect him because he holds a morbid part of their culture and fate in his hands. He sym
"It isn't fair..." is the last cry that we hear uttered from Tessie's lips. She will now be forever silenced by her fate as being the unlucky winner of an archaic tradition, she can look on the bright side though, her death will bring a great corn crop. The next man in the line of progression would be Mr. Martin, the owner of the town's one and only grocery store. Mr. Martin gets the honor of holding the black box, while the ballots are being stirred. bolizes the negative aspects of power and prosperity. Upon hearing this, Tessie abruptly instructs her husband to go up first. The family's names are narrowed down until Tessie is drawn as the winner. Obviously very reluctant to receive her prize, she quickly inquires why her daughter Eva is not made to partake with the rest of the family. Tessie's question is answered by the fact that Eva is now married and currently belongs to another man, not the Hutchinson family. In the end, we see Mr. Summers as the symbol of power as corruption, the lottery itself as a symbol of morbid folklore, and Tessie as the symbol of the punished, questioning female. Tessie Hutchinson is a fitting example of this. She arrives to the lottery late because she claimed to have forgotten about it while she was busying herself with housework. Upon her ar
Some common words found in the essay are:
Summers Summers, Unfortunately Tessie, , Jack Watson's, Tessie Hutchinson, family dunbar, head household, arrives lottery, lottery due, power lottery, name drawn,
Approximate Word count = 882
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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