The Lottery Short Story

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Overview

  • Published: 1948

  • Setting: A village on June 27, during a sunny summer day

  • Main Event: The annual lottery, a tradition in the village

Opening Scene

  • Clear and sunny morning, flowers blooming, grass green

  • Time: Villagers gather between the post office and the bank at 10 AM; lottery is quick due to small population (approximately 300)

  • Children's Activities: Children initially gather quietly, but soon begin playing; Bobby Martin starts gathering stones, a trend followed by other boys.

Villagers Gather

  • Men: As men arrive, they discuss mundane topics like farming; quieter demeanor compared to children

  • Women: Dressed in faded clothes; join men and gossip while calling their children

  • Bobby Martin: Dodges his mother's calls to join his friends with the stone pile, illustrating the uneasy mix of innocence and violence

Mr. Summers and the Lottery Box

  • Mr. Summers: Conducts the lottery; jovial but without children; represents the community's governance

  • Black Box: Old, fulfilling the role of the lottery icon; has historical significance yet appears dilapidated

  • History of the Box: Has been used for generations, made from parts of earlier lottery boxes; tradition vs. need for change discussed

Conducting the Lottery

  • Rituals: Many past practices forgotten, including chants and salutations; now simply names read, papers drawn

  • Mrs. Hutchinson: Arrives late, humorously deflects blame for her tardiness; adds a personal touch to the event

Villagers' Interactions

  • Clyde Dunbar: Injured, prompts discussion about family representation in the lottery

  • Household Draw: Men draw papers while following the gathered social hierarchy; creates tension and anticipatory silence

Draw Outcomes

  • Gathering of Papers: As names are called, villagers become anxious; familiar routine diminishes the weight of the event

  • Old Man Warner: Represents tradition, dismisses change, focuses on the necessity of the lottery for good harvests

  • Bill Hutchinson's Family: Bill and Tessie Hutchinson's children participate in the draw; increasing tension as family unity is tested

Reveal of the 'Winner'

  • Tessie's Outcry: As Bill Hutchinson draws the marked slip, Tessie protests that it was unfair; contrast between joviality and impending doom

  • Crowd's Reaction: Shift from jovial to threatening; Tessie's desperation as the villagers close in on her

  • Tradition and Violence: The lottery culminates in collective violence, the villagers ready with stones

Thematic Elements

  • Irony: The title 'The Lottery' suggests something positive, contrasting starkly with the story's violent conclusion

  • Foreshadowing: Subtle hints throughout the early paragraphs build suspense, making the violent end shocking yet inevitable

  • Character Dynamics: Each character represents different societal aspects; Tessie's distinct role highlights individual victimization in a collective process

Discussion Questions

  1. Surprises of the Ending: Were readers anticipating the violent outcome? How does foreshadowing play a role?

  2. Setting's Impact: How does the idyllic setting contrast with the story's violent climax?

  3. Character Differentiation: How are characters distinct, and why is Tessie Hutchinson targeted?

  4. Use of Irony: What elements of the story exemplify irony, especially regarding the title and opening descriptions?

  5. Character Names: Examine the implications of names like Delacroix, Graves, Summers, Bentham, and Hutchinson — what could they symbolize?