Pressure In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

The average person is pressured by the people around him to perform in acts that would not normally be considered. The boundaries of these “acts” could range from petty theft, to mass murder. Shirley Jackson explains this clear fact, and ponders on the topic in the short story, “The Lottery”. The plot begins in a jovial small village, which becomes more important knowing that fact that Jackson was left dejected by the people of a small town she lived in her 30’s, as a direct result of her eccentric writing ideas. Jackson considers how far people can be driven to the brink of utter insanity by means of society pressure. Shirley Jackson develops a theme of society pressure, by means of mood and indirect characterization, to the extent of showcasing

The story starts out extremely slow-paced. The author describes the situation in a cheerful manner, as shown as she describes the day as “clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green” (Jackson 1). The pleasant mood exhibits the city dwellers’ implications that the day of the “lottery” is just another day on the calendar. This quote suggests that the people don’t view the “lottery” day as something special, and it has become a part of system. This highlights the people’s unethicalness, as they have integrated a truly dreadful tradition into their society. The cheery mood was carried on, as the men “began to gather, surveying their own children, speaking of planting and rain, tractors and taxes” (Jackson 1). The overall mood given to the story suggests that the people are treating this day as any other. They are rather taking the advantage of all being together and discussing important topics. This is awfully unethical, as they have amalgamated the “lottery” with their community for no particular reason. Shirley Jackson shows, through mood, that the “lottery” has been accepted into their culture due to society

After Tessie was chosen for the stoning, all of the society pressure suddenly was forgotten. The hypocrisy generated from the sudden change of tides was evident as she wailed, “‘You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair!’” (Jackson 6). The society pressure eventually wearied off, as the person who was chosen realizes the horrendous acts that will follow. The hypocrisy after being chosen shows how the people haven’t thought as they have supported this barbaric ritual, and shows how important it is to speak out at the right time. The most brutal aspect of the “lottery”, however, is the other people’s failure to feel any sort of sympathy for the victim. This is evident through Mrs. Delacroix’s answer and how she wanted Tessie to, “‘Be a good sport’ Mrs. Delacroix called” (Jackson 7). Shirley Jackson shows how there is a point after you can’t be convinced out of the society pressure. The people’s unethicalness is displayed though their deficiency of sympathy for the victim. Through indirect characterization, Jackson is able to display how the society pressure is still remembered through the victim’s pleading, which showcases its unethical effects on