jackson_lottery

Overview of "The Lottery"

• Written by Shirley Jackson in 1948.

• Setting: The story takes place on a clear, sunny morning in June, with a peaceful village atmosphere.

Gathering of Villagers

• Time and Place: Villagers gather around ten o'clock between the post office and the bank.

• Attendance: In larger towns, lotteries could take two days; in this village (population ~300), it lasts less than two hours.

• Arrival of Children: Children assemble first, reflecting on school memories and engaging nervously before play.

• Bobby Martin: Fills his pockets with stones, setting a curious precedent for the events to follow.

• Social Dynamics: Women arrive in faded dresses, gossiping while men discuss chores, creating a community atmosphere.

Mr. Summers and the Lottery Process

• Mr. Summers: Conducts the lottery; jovial, but has no children and a discontented wife.

• Black Box: Symbol of tradition; shabbier yet significant due to its age and representation of the lottery's ritual.

  • Originally part of older boxes, the villagers resist replacing it despite its deterioration.

• Substitution of Materials: Slips of paper replace wooden chips due to practicality as the village grew.

The Ritual of the Lottery

• Preparation: Lists are compiled, and the official physical rituals have largely faded; discussions become mere formalities.

• Mrs. Hutchinson's Arrival: Late arrival of Tessie Hutchinson injects a sense of urgency and introduces the main character.

• Draw Process: Mr. Summers announces names from a prepared list; villagers draw slips with mixed emotions of anxiety and hope.

  • Emphasis on family and household representation during the draw process (Mrs. Dunbar draws for her injured husband).

Anticipation and Tension**

• Community Sentiment: While the villagers slowly draw slips, casual chatter reveals a blend of anxiety and tradition.

• Old Man Warner: Represents tradition and resistance to change; views opposition to the lottery as foolishness.

The Climax of the Lottery**

• The Winners: Who drew the marked slip is revealed to be Bill Hutchinson's family, specifically Tessie Hutchinson.

• Conflict and Denial: Tessie argues the draw was unfair, showcasing her desperation as she confronts the villagers.

• Final Outcome: As Tessie is condemned by her own community, she is attacked by the villagers, and her pleas go unheeded.

Symbolism and Themes**

• The Black Box: Represents tradition clung to despite its decay and outdatedness; symbolizes blind following of rituals.

• Stones: Manifest the villagers' complicity and the violent nature of the lottery.

• Irony: The title "The Lottery" suggests a positive expectation, contrasted with the grim reality of the outcome.

Discussion Questions**

• Surprise at Ending: Analyze expectations versus the story's shocking conclusion; identify foreshadowing elements in early paragraphs.

• Setting Influence: Discuss how the village's typicality misleads reader expectations.

• Character Differentiation: Examine Tessie Hutchinson's alienation leading to her being the 'winner.'

• Irony Examples: Consider the contrasts in title, setting, and character names.

• Character Names: Explore the symbolism and literary allusions connected to names like Delacroix, Graves, Summers, and Hutchinson.