The Use of Setting in "The Lottery"

A detailed Summary of The Use of Setting in "The Lottery"

Shirley Jackson effectively uses setting in "The Lottery" to foreshadow an ironic ending. In many stories, settings are constructed to help build the mood and to foreshadow of things to come. The story sets up the reader to expect good things from the lottery. However, the description of the setting foreshadows exactly the opposite of what the reader expects. Shirley Jackson develops this through a description of the physical setting, a general description of the residents, and subtle hints throughout the story.

The story begins with the establishment of the setting. To begin, Shirley Jackson tells the reader what time of day and what time of year the story takes place. This is important to get the reader to focus on what a typical day it is in this small town. The setting set forth by Shirley Jackson in the beginning of the story creates a mood of peacefulness and tranquility. It also creates a visual image in the mind of the reader of a typical town on a normal summer day. Shirley Jackson tells you that school has

Shirley Jackson successfully creates a comfortable atmosphere while describing the residents of the town. She starts describing them as everyone begins gathering in the town square. She describes the children gathering together and breaking into "boisterous play." When the children are described to the reader, she also mentions that they are gathering rocks. The reader does not really pay attention to this detail until the end of the story when you learn what the rocks are for. The men are described as gathering together and talking about "planting and rain, tractors and taxes." The women of this community were "exchanging bits of gossip." All three activities portrayed a normal, peaceful town. The description of people and their activities are very typical. Shirley Jackson portrays that everyone is coming together for what seems to be an enjoyable, festive, even celebratory occasion. Even when the ill-fated Mrs. Hutchinson is late, everyone laughs. The reader stills believes that the lottery is a good, positive thing.

Up to this point, Shirley Jackso

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Approximate Word count = 721
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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The Use of Setting in "The Lottery"

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