Symbols In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

574 Words2 Pages

In “The Lottery”, Shirley Jackson uses the symbol of the run down black box and Mr. Summer’s influential role in the society to emphasize how societies can get into harmful habits if they base their identity in traditions instead of morals . In the short story, the characters all participate in a lottery to determine who will be stoned that year. They all pull a piece of paper out of the black box, and the person with the mark on the paper is chosen. This box was the village’s strongest strongest tradition which represents the lottery; the defining aspect of this society. Even though it wasn’t in good condition, and “grew shabbier each year” and “was no longer completely black but splintered badly along one side to show the original wood …show more content…

Mr. Summers often spoke about replacing the box, but “no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box”(1). Similarly, Mr. Summers and his obligations represented the identity of the village. Mr. Summers was in charge of much of the activities ingrained in the village’s history, including “the square dances, the teen club, [and] the Halloween program” (1). Mr. Summers is also in charge of the lottery. That was part of how the community identified themselves. They associated the lottery with who they were, and felt like if they lose the lottery, they give up who they are as a community. The symbolism with the box represents the society, weak and worn out, but too scared to end tradition, even if it is faulty, because they don’t only use the box as a tradition, but they use the box as a vital role in their identity. That is also how their society is structured. Their practices were unnecessary and harmful to their village, yet they feared what they would be without the lottery. Similarly, Mr. Summers and the activities he administrates represent the identity of the village. The dances and social gatherings represent their community, as well as the lottery. They see the lottery as crucial to their existence, prosperity,

Show More
Related

  • Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

    1157 Words  | 3 Pages

    Symbolism is used heavily in “The Lottery”. One of the first symbols revealed in the short story is the Black Box, used by the townspeople as the raffle box. “The black box now resting on the stool had been put into use even before Old Man Warner . . .was born. Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box” (Jackson). The Black Box stands as a symbol for the lottery itself and tradition of all types. Although it may be difficult to “upset” or change parts of traditions that have been practiced for ages, it is necessary to do so to grow as people. “Another symbol in the story is the black box. Although it is old and shabby, the villagers are unwilling or unable to replace it, just as they are unwilling to stop participating in the lottery” (Wilson). The...

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast A Rose For Emily And The Lottery By William Robinson

    1506 Words  | 4 Pages

    This statement reveals that the lottery is a tradition in town that they characters were born into believing in. None of the characters have lived a life where the lottery did not exist, thus this occasion is a normality to them. Summers had spoke frequently to the town about making a new box, “But no one liked to upset as much tradition as was represented by the black box. […] Every year, after the lottery, Mr. Summers began talking again about the new box, but every year the subject was allowed to fade off without anything being done” (Jackson 1). This paragraph in the text reiterates the town’s inability to stray away from the ritual of their

    Read More

  • What Does The Black-Box Symbolize In The Lottery

    374 Words  | 1 Pages

    To most people, traditions are very crucial and should be maintained all the time. However, in the short story, “The Lottery”, by Shirley Jackson, it can be seen that even though traditions are important in many societies, not all traditions should be acceptable. The central idea of this short story is how mindlessly the townspeople are for accepting unreasonable actions as a part of a tradition. This can be seen through the use of symbolism. The black box used for the lottery symbolizes the tradition that the villagers have been following for a long time. According to the text, it states, “Mr.Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition was represented by the black box.”

    Read More

  • Symbolic References in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

    1473 Words  | 3 Pages

    There is no question what so ever that Jackson inserted a manifold of symbols in order to have a more profound impact on the story’s ending. Symbolism is an object, word, or idea that has a deeper meaning than how it is put into use. It serves as an iconic representation of something more emotional. Using symbolism lets the author plant a seed in the reader’s mind in which triggers a more profound reaction once the true meaning behind the symbol are revealed. In the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson there are a manifold of symbolic references that are used. It seems as Jackson wants us to question whether or not every tradition are done with good morality. As shown through this short story, many of the townspeople have a belief that their tradition is an act that would be approved by

    Read More

  • Symbolism in The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson

    800 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is a chilling tale of a harsh ritualistic gathering conducted by people of a small village. The word lottery would typically remind someone of a drawing to win a cash prize. A better comparison to the story would be the lottery used to select troops for the Vietnam War; a lottery of death. Another would be the human sacrifices the Aztecs willingly made long ago.

    Read More

  • The Lottery Symbolism Essay

    1210 Words  | 3 Pages

    Written by Shirley Jackson, “The Lottery” is a short story about a town that hosts an annual lottery that decides which person is stoned by the rest of the town. Jackson slowly and subtly builds the suspense throughout the story, only resolving the mystery surrounding the lottery at the very last moment, as the townspeople surround Tessie with their stones. The symbolism utilized helps demonstrate the overall significance of the story, such as the lottery itself. The lottery shows the way people desperately cling to old traditions, regardless of how damaging they may be. In addition, it can show how callous many will act while staring at a gruesome situation, until they become the victims. Jackson’s story presents the issue regarding the habit

    Read More

  • Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

    1346 Words  | 3 Pages

    The black box of the lottery represents the loyalty of the town to traditions. Despite the state of the black box, which is splintered and becoming shabbier each year, the townspeople make no move to replace it. For example, “Summers began talking again about a new box, but every year the subject was allowed to fade off without anything's being done” (Jackson par 5). While on the other hand they did away with some the other traditions such as the official formally addressing each person who pulled and the wood chips, they cling tightly to the black box. The townspeople see the black box as a way to hold on to the past because supposedly it is made with pieces from the original box (Jackson par. 5). The main tradition they are holding onto is the Lottery i...

    Read More

  • The Use of Symbolism in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

    1179 Words  | 3 Pages

    box. We do not always enjoy change, even if it might prove beneficial to us.

    Read More

  • Social Hysteria in Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

    567 Words  | 2 Pages

    The black box represents virtually the only part of the original ritual that has been preserved since the lottery began. It is there not only to hold the papers that will be drawn, but also to represent to the townsfolk the tradition. The black box is constructed of pieces of the original box, a link to the time when the purpose of the lottery was clear. Most of the old custom has been forgotten: wood chips have been replaced with paper slips, and on one can remember the recital and ritual salute that had previously been part of the lottery; but the o...

    Read More

  • Symbolism and Imagery in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

    749 Words  | 2 Pages

    The lottery consists of a black box full of blanks pieces of paper and one marked piece of paper. The person who draws the marked piece of paper is the one who endures the horrible fate of being stoned. This black box is very significant because it an s symbol of tradition. Just like tradition, it has been used for many years. Because it symbol in this story is the black box, which is used in the lottery process. . The box is a symbol of tradition and just like tradition; it has been used for many years. “ There was a story that the present box had been made with some pieces of the box that had preceded it, the one that had been constructed when the first people settled down to make a village.” It is old and needs to be replaced with a new one but none ...

    Read More

  • The Lottery A Small Town Analysis Essay

    1276 Words  | 3 Pages

    Even the introduction of Mr. Summers, who conducts the lottery, adds to the picture of the setting as a perfect little town -- Mr. Summers, after all, emcees “square dances” and “the teen program!” Gradually, though, the tone of the piece begins to seem ominous, as the black box is described and citizens of the village are reluctant to come near the box to aid

    Read More

  • Themes And Symbols In The Lottery, By Shirley Jackson

    733 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, is a short story about an annual lottery draw in a small town. The story sets place in a small town in New England. Every year a lottery is held, in which one person is to be randomly chosen to be stoned to death by the people in the village. The lottery has been practiced for over seventy years by the townspeople. By using symbolism, Jackson uses names, objects, and the setting to conceal the true meaning and intention of the lottery.

    Read More

  • Symbolism in The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson

    1535 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" symbols are used to enhance and stress the theme of the story. A symbol is a person, object, action, place, or event that in addition to its literal meaning, suggests a more complex meaning or range of meanings. (Kirszner & Mendell 330) The theme of the story is how coldness and lack of compassion can be exhibited in people in situations regarding tradition and values. That people will do incredibly evil and cruel things just for the sake of keeping a routine. Three of the main symbols that Shirley uses in the story is the setting, black box, and the actual characters names. They all tie together to form an intriguing story that clearly shows the terrible potential if society forgets the basis of tradition. The story also shows many similarities between the culture of the village, and the culture of Nazi Germany. How blind obedience to superiors can cause considerable damage to not only a community, but the entire world. Symbolism plays a large role in "The Lottery" to set the theme of the story and make the reader question traditions.

    Read More

  • Literary Elements In The Lottery

    1209 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Although everyone appears to agree that the annual lottery is important no one seems to know when it began or what its original purpose was” (Introduction) This is made clear when in the story it says that the reason the tradition had started was lost years ago. It is also made clear when the box is being describe as an old rugged looking thing and “Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box” (Jackson). In the story it also says that so much of the original tradition has been lost or discarded that Mr. Summers who symbolizes a leader who has frighten amounts of power, was able to slip in chips of wood instead of paper into the box (Jackson). Mr. Summers is in charge of the lottery it is even up to him to but the black dot on the paper that decides who will be stoned. The power that Mr. Summer has serves as a symbol of humans blindly following tradition because no one ever challenged Mr. Summers whether it be to figure out or stop the lottery or even to challenge why he is the one in power. Instead the town’s people feel sorry for him because he has a nagging wife and no children. Jackson never explains why Mr. Summers has all this power. Mr. Summers is a bit ironic to because of his last name summers. When someone thinks of summer they think

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Class In The Lottery, By Shirley Jackson

    882 Words  | 2 Pages

    This is expressed mainly through subtle symbolism; first off, Mr. Summers’s states that the box to be changed, “Every year after the lottery, Mr. Summers began talking again about a new box, but every year the subject was allowed to fade off without anything’s being done” (2). In this case, the black box represents the old, grungy society, while the lottery represents a sort of election in a way. Every year after his “election,” Mr. Summers insists for the people’s well-being that “society” must be changed in some sort of

    Read More

More about Symbols In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

Open Document