Lottery
Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” depicts a seemingly average village with average citizens. The citizens of this village participate in an annual lottery in which the winner will be stoned to death. It is believed that the death of the winner will bring heartier crops to the village. Jackson introduces the lottery as a tradition that has been performed and will be done for many years to come. Jackson also stresses the importance of human nature, which is that humans are conditioned to do what is taught since birth. “The Lottery” tells that it is not tradition but ignorance and cowardness which justify the ritual. In the beginning of the story Jackson paints a picture of a normal village getting ready to celebrate a joyous occasion. She goes further by setting the time of the event. “The people of the village began to gather in the square… so it can begin at ten o’clock in the morning and still be through in time to allow the villagers to get home for noon dinner” (74). The villagers’ acceptance of the lottery and its schedule is justified by tradition. Although some people will read this an
Readers will read this and argue that traditions justify all actions. Many will say that throughout the story everyone understands the reason for the lottery. However, it is not tradition but simplicity and benightedness which justify the lottery. Even as changes are discussed, the citizens are against it because they challenge the norm. Although the ritual is cruel and evil, the citizens accept it and live life as if everything will be okay. Jackson writes this to illustrate ignorance as people do things over and over again without stopping to validate the relevance of it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ he village is seen throughout yet no one objects or questions the lottery because they are scared to disrupt the routine of life. Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery”, Literature and the Writing Process. Elizabeth McMahn, Susan X Day, and Robert Funk. 5th Ed. Upper Saddle, NJ: Prentice Hall 1999. 74-79.
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Approximate Word count = 920
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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