"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
Summary- On a clear warm June 27th, the villagers all gather in the town square. The annual lottery is being held on this day. The children have been out for the summer and collect stone and put them in one big pile. Mr. Summers is the leader of the lottery and arrives and makes sure all the villagers are present. The husbands draw from the box first. After every husband in the family has a slip of paper then the husbands look at their slip of paper to see if they have to draw again. The Hutchinsons have the slip of paper with the black dot on it that signifys that the whole family will have to go up and draw from the box. Mrs. Hutchinson protests but her husband makes sure she stays quiet. This family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson and three children. Mrs. Hutchinson has the slip of paper with the black dot on it. Everybody starts grabbing stones even her youngest child. The suspense in this story contributes to why you should read this story and why it is a good story. Also the direct characterization of the people and how they act within the story help get a good visual of the town and how they felt.
Why Choose It?
This story is very interesting to read and keeps the readers on the edge of their seats. "The lottery" by Shirley Jackson is a good choice for the english textbook. It doesnt bore the reader because there is alot of excitement going on so you don't want to stop reading. The characterization and the details of everything going on makes it even better. The situation in the story also makes it worth reading because it isn't a conflict that usually happens in stories. It pulls at your emotions to keep reading because it's sad that the mother had been chosen to get stoned so you wanted more detail on it and it made you keep reading. We chose this story because we all agreed that it was really good and that it gives an unusual but entertaining story that readers want. This story should be in the textbook because its not like some stories that have a boring climax and conflict that students always end up reading.
Critical Reception: "The Lottery" was first published in The New Yorker magazine on 26 June 1948, and it generated hundreds of letters from readers, the vast majority of whom were confused as to the story's meaning. According to Lenemaja Friedman, three "main characteristics dominated the letters: bewilderment, speculation, and old-fashioned abuse." Since then, critical reception has generally been very favorable, and "The Lottery" has been anthologized many times. Those critics who read the story as a traditional narrative tend to fault its surprise ending and lack of character development as unrealistic, unbelievable, and making reader identification difficult. Other commentators, however, view "The Lottery" as a modern-day parable; they argue that the elements of the story often disparaged by its critics are actually consistent with the style and structure of New Testament parables and to stories from the Old Testament. Generally, critics agree only that the story's meaning cannot be determined with exactitude. While most critics concede that it was Jackson's intention to avoid specific meaning, some cite flatly drawn characters, unrevealing dialogue, and the shocking ending as evidence of literary infertility. The majority of commentators, though, argue that the story's art lies in its provocativeness and that with its parable-like structure Jackson is able to address a variety of timeless issues with contemporary resonance, and thereby stir her readers to reflective thought and debate.
Crititc Reviews: Shirley Jackson is a master at
manipulating her reader, a tactic that pays off as the story unfolds and all of
the things that once seemed pleasant are shown to have a very dark side. The title of the “The Lottery” alone is a great example of how Shirley Jackson topples reader expectations; we usually
hear the word “lottery” and are filled with a sense of hope and possibility; we
are expecting it is going to be a story about someone who wins something. Little
do we know what a grim prize it will be, of course. The title of “The
Lottery” itself can serve as a thesis statement for writing about the story. One of the other ways “The Lottery” turns readers on their heads is because of the contrast between scenes of normal small town life—a life that is so often idealized—versus the grim
reality of what the lottery really is. The horror of the lottery sinks in
well after the reader has finished a first pass of the text and has time to go
back and revisit some of the events. For instance, when we consider that this
has been described as a “civic” activity in the same vein as other community
events like dances or teenage clubs, we see how disturbingly ingrained and
“normal” ritual violence has become. Other elements of true horror also sink
later; for example, consider young Davy Hutchinson, so young he can barely hold
the slip of paper in his tight baby fist—what if he had drawn the slip of paper.
There was no mention about who could or could not be stoned, so who’s to say the
child would not have been immune? Is it right to consider that a child could be
stoned to death (or not—we are never told when it ends) since, after all, all
children are allowed to throw the stones along with the adults?One of the other unspoken disturbing
elements of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is that the reader is never sure
what the outcome of the lottery is going to be. We know that the unlucky
“winner” of the lottery will be stoned, but to death? Until he or she begs for
mercy? Unfortunately, given the nature of this story and the past of witch
trials in early American communities to which Shirley Jackson gives more than a
casual nod to, we can assume that the unfortunate will be stoned to death.There are so many elements in “The Lottery” that are not realized for their full horrific consequences until after
the fact. Little Davy, the children gathering stones so they can take part in
group violence, the fact that Tessie even tried to get her in-laws into the
second round of drawing so they could have an “equal chance” at getting stones
thrown at them…the horror really never ends and in fact, is magnified each time
it is read again. If one is looking to compare “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson to another short story, the search would be made much quicker by simply looking to the tales of Nathaniel Hawthorne. In fact,
“The Lottery” is so like “Young Goodman Brown” and “The Minister’s Black Veil” in terms of themes, if
one didn’t know any better, it could easily be suggested that they were written
by the same author
manipulating her reader, a tactic that pays off as the story unfolds and all of
the things that once seemed pleasant are shown to have a very dark side. The title of the “The Lottery” alone is a great example of how Shirley Jackson topples reader expectations; we usually
hear the word “lottery” and are filled with a sense of hope and possibility; we
are expecting it is going to be a story about someone who wins something. Little
do we know what a grim prize it will be, of course. The title of “The
Lottery” itself can serve as a thesis statement for writing about the story. One of the other ways “The Lottery” turns readers on their heads is because of the contrast between scenes of normal small town life—a life that is so often idealized—versus the grim
reality of what the lottery really is. The horror of the lottery sinks in
well after the reader has finished a first pass of the text and has time to go
back and revisit some of the events. For instance, when we consider that this
has been described as a “civic” activity in the same vein as other community
events like dances or teenage clubs, we see how disturbingly ingrained and
“normal” ritual violence has become. Other elements of true horror also sink
later; for example, consider young Davy Hutchinson, so young he can barely hold
the slip of paper in his tight baby fist—what if he had drawn the slip of paper.
There was no mention about who could or could not be stoned, so who’s to say the
child would not have been immune? Is it right to consider that a child could be
stoned to death (or not—we are never told when it ends) since, after all, all
children are allowed to throw the stones along with the adults?One of the other unspoken disturbing
elements of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is that the reader is never sure
what the outcome of the lottery is going to be. We know that the unlucky
“winner” of the lottery will be stoned, but to death? Until he or she begs for
mercy? Unfortunately, given the nature of this story and the past of witch
trials in early American communities to which Shirley Jackson gives more than a
casual nod to, we can assume that the unfortunate will be stoned to death.There are so many elements in “The Lottery” that are not realized for their full horrific consequences until after
the fact. Little Davy, the children gathering stones so they can take part in
group violence, the fact that Tessie even tried to get her in-laws into the
second round of drawing so they could have an “equal chance” at getting stones
thrown at them…the horror really never ends and in fact, is magnified each time
it is read again. If one is looking to compare “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson to another short story, the search would be made much quicker by simply looking to the tales of Nathaniel Hawthorne. In fact,
“The Lottery” is so like “Young Goodman Brown” and “The Minister’s Black Veil” in terms of themes, if
one didn’t know any better, it could easily be suggested that they were written
by the same author
Critic review: “All history has been a history of class struggles between dominated classes at
various stages of social development.” Friedrich Engles says it best when he
says this because at some point one social class is always at the top or the
bottom of the hierarchy. However each groups fights, either to hold their place
of move up. In the short story “The Lottery,” Jackson shows how the events can
be connected to socialism because the characters are supposed to sacrifice
themselves for the greater good of the community. Politics and economics are
contributing factors to the sacrificing for the community because powerful
positions and social classes feed from the towns’ peoples’
feelings and emotions. Firstly, the amount of politics involved with the
story leads a Marxist critic to conclude that tradition and formality are very
important to this society. Tradition is a priority to this town. The black box
represents this tradition. “Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about
making a new black box but no one like to upset even as much tradition as was
represented by the black box” (Jackson2). This quote represents the significance
of tradition, which is what the box represents. Mr. Summers was in charge of the
lottery, he held the power in town for as long as he holds the black box. People
in the story feared the box which means they feared him and the consequences
within the box. “Bill Hutchinson went over to his wife and forced the slip of paper out of her
hand. It had a black spot on it, the black spot Mr. Summers had made the night
before with the heavy pencil in the coal company office…” (7). This quote shows
the amount of authority that Mr. Summers shows because people fear the black
dot, which he creates. Second, the social classes of this society help display the Marxism with in the
short story, “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Jackson sets up a series of
social classes. There is the town elder that holds the highest respect and
seniority. Then there is Mr. Summers, the man in charge of the lottery. Then
there is everyone else; the possible victims of the lottery. The lottery system
is somewhat rigged. Those who rebel, pay for it later; whether it is a
coincidence, or not. “Old man Warner snorted, ‘Pack of crazy fools,’ he said,
‘listening to the young folks, nothings good enough for them’” (4). This quote
shows exactly how the town elder feels. He feels that the younger people of the
town are trying to get rid of and go against the tradition of the town that has
been in place for some many years. Another example of social class in this story
is, “’some places have already quit lotteries,’ Mrs. Adams said” (5). Other
towns in the area are abolishing the tradition of the lottery. People in town
are beginning to talk about do the same. Lastly, Shirley Jackson’s story
“The Lottery” is very similar to when Hitler took over Germany and sent
thousands and thousands of Jewish people to concentration camps based on
religion and social status. When Hitler took over Germany, he saw the Jewish
people as a nuisance and he did not like their practiced religion. He labeled
them as the lowest social class. In Jackson’s story, the young people are the
lowest social class because they want to uproot the tradition of the lottery.
Also, Hundreds of Jewish people were killed by the hands of Hitler; just as
hundreds of people were killed under the carrier of the black box. Hitler was
taken out of power and soon Mr. Summers and his black box will too.
Therefore, when reading “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson as a Marxist
critic the events can be connected to socialism because the characters are
supposed to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the community. Along
with the political and economic factors, the story “The Lottery” develops social
classes and power holding positions within the community.
various stages of social development.” Friedrich Engles says it best when he
says this because at some point one social class is always at the top or the
bottom of the hierarchy. However each groups fights, either to hold their place
of move up. In the short story “The Lottery,” Jackson shows how the events can
be connected to socialism because the characters are supposed to sacrifice
themselves for the greater good of the community. Politics and economics are
contributing factors to the sacrificing for the community because powerful
positions and social classes feed from the towns’ peoples’
feelings and emotions. Firstly, the amount of politics involved with the
story leads a Marxist critic to conclude that tradition and formality are very
important to this society. Tradition is a priority to this town. The black box
represents this tradition. “Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about
making a new black box but no one like to upset even as much tradition as was
represented by the black box” (Jackson2). This quote represents the significance
of tradition, which is what the box represents. Mr. Summers was in charge of the
lottery, he held the power in town for as long as he holds the black box. People
in the story feared the box which means they feared him and the consequences
within the box. “Bill Hutchinson went over to his wife and forced the slip of paper out of her
hand. It had a black spot on it, the black spot Mr. Summers had made the night
before with the heavy pencil in the coal company office…” (7). This quote shows
the amount of authority that Mr. Summers shows because people fear the black
dot, which he creates. Second, the social classes of this society help display the Marxism with in the
short story, “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Jackson sets up a series of
social classes. There is the town elder that holds the highest respect and
seniority. Then there is Mr. Summers, the man in charge of the lottery. Then
there is everyone else; the possible victims of the lottery. The lottery system
is somewhat rigged. Those who rebel, pay for it later; whether it is a
coincidence, or not. “Old man Warner snorted, ‘Pack of crazy fools,’ he said,
‘listening to the young folks, nothings good enough for them’” (4). This quote
shows exactly how the town elder feels. He feels that the younger people of the
town are trying to get rid of and go against the tradition of the town that has
been in place for some many years. Another example of social class in this story
is, “’some places have already quit lotteries,’ Mrs. Adams said” (5). Other
towns in the area are abolishing the tradition of the lottery. People in town
are beginning to talk about do the same. Lastly, Shirley Jackson’s story
“The Lottery” is very similar to when Hitler took over Germany and sent
thousands and thousands of Jewish people to concentration camps based on
religion and social status. When Hitler took over Germany, he saw the Jewish
people as a nuisance and he did not like their practiced religion. He labeled
them as the lowest social class. In Jackson’s story, the young people are the
lowest social class because they want to uproot the tradition of the lottery.
Also, Hundreds of Jewish people were killed by the hands of Hitler; just as
hundreds of people were killed under the carrier of the black box. Hitler was
taken out of power and soon Mr. Summers and his black box will too.
Therefore, when reading “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson as a Marxist
critic the events can be connected to socialism because the characters are
supposed to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the community. Along
with the political and economic factors, the story “The Lottery” develops social
classes and power holding positions within the community.
Story Connections:
Literature: The story "The Lottery" has plot connections with the novel "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. In "The Hunger Games" all citizens from age 12-18 have to partcipate in the drawing for the representation of their disrtict. In "The Lottery" all familes in the village must participate in the lottery. Just like Prim was randomly choosen to represent her district, Mrs. Hutchinson randomly picked the paper with the black dot. Mrs. Hutchinson protests about her chossing the paper with the black dot, just like Katnis protests when Prim's name was called.