Story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

The Lottery

In her story "The Lottery," Shirley Jackson tells story of evil blind rituals of society in small village. Villagers gather together in Central Square for annual lottery. There is much excitement and interest as rituals of event proceeds. Mr. Summers has small box where small pieces of paper are folded and stored. The box is placed in specific place. In first round, names of heads of families are called one at time to come up and get piece of paper. When all of families have come up and taken folded piece of paper, then they can look at their paper. Only one piece of paper has black mark on it, which represents death. Hutchinson's family wins lottery. (Hyman 2)

In second round, members of Hutchinson's family come up and take folded piece of paper. Mrs. Hutchinson becomes victim of lottery. Mrs. Hutchinson is then stoned by villagers, along with her family members. "The Lottery," by Shirley Jackson, discovers mankind's evil environment hiding behind customs and rituals. (Lantzen 23)

Conflict in story starts during first round of lottery, when heads of families open folded paper. Hutchinson's family has black spot in his slip, which symbolizes their death. Mrs. Hutchinson struggles to reverse conflict by saying: "You didn't give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair" (478). The climax of story is when each member of family picks up one folded paper out of five papers in second round, which decides their fate. Bsick Hutchinson and his three children choose bare slips. The very dark spot on Mrs. Hutchinson's slip characterises her death.

It creates an external confrontation for her. The system of human forfeit in order to insure good outcomes is basically unjust: "It isn't equitable" (480). Women's minor position in socioeconomic hierarchy of village also creates an internal conflict. Tessie feels unhappy and reluctant that why she is chosen to die: "It isn't equitable, it isn't right" (480). Women make their first look "wearing faded dwelling dresses . . . shortly after their menfolk" (474). Their dresses indicate that they do in fact work, but because they work in home and not within larger economy in which work is regulated by money, we can conclude that they are treated by men and treat themselves as inferiors. (Hyman 2)

The setting suggests exactly opposite of what is to come. The story ...