At no point does the author indicate the location of "The Lottery;" However, the Salem witch trials in 1692 in Massachusetts which resulted in 14 women and 6 men being executed indicates that "The Lottery" could have taken place in New England. Historically, there was a well-known New England woman named Anne Hutchinson. The General Court of Massachusetts tried Anne Hutchinson in 1637 for her antinomian beliefs. She was found guilty, excommunicated from the church, and banished from the colony. Ironically, Tessie Hutchinson shares Anne Hutchinson's last name who is fr

The black box is very symbolic in nature from its simple construction to the color and its deteriorating appearance. The simple construction of the black box symbolizes the primitive nature of the occasion. It is "splintered badly along one side...faded or stained," (317) symbolizing the townspeople hesitation and reluctance to repair or build a new box because the ritual is an outdated and primitive practice. However, they cling to the tradition by continuing the ritual and talk of replacing the box, but all that talk just "fade off with nothing being done" (317). The color of the black box symbolizes death, evil, and irrationalism, which are all of the elements of the ceremony. The villagers focus on the gruesome rather than the symbolic nature because although the "ritual had been allowed to lapse" (317), and no one wants to replace the deteriorated box, "they still remembered to use stones" (322). When Mr. Summers set the black box on the stool, the townspeople are hesitant to help steady it, "the villagers kept their distance, leaving a space between themselves and the stool" (316). Their apprehension and nervousness towards the black box is because of its sacrificial contents which contains a list of "heads of families, head of households in each families..." (317). The box is closed and "locked up" (317), which symbolizes mystery and uncertainty of which head will be chosen. Although the ritual is primitive, they justify the act as "always been

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Approximate Word count = 993
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)