Appearance Vs. Reality In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

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The concept of appearance versus reality is seen in everyday lives; including in societies, families and their practices. It makes one oblivious to their surroundings and the world they live in. In the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, the characters and their actions illustrate a positive appearance that can ultimately result in a dystopian reality. The characters of Mr. Summers, Mrs. Delacroix and Tessie along with Bobby Martin and the boys evidently demonstrate the conception of appearance versus reality in a village.
In the story, Mr. Summer is recognized as a successful businessman and his devotion to civic activities however, the villagers pitied him. "He was a round-faced, jovial man and he ran the coal business, and the people were sorry for him because he had no children and his wife was a scold" (Jackson). It is revealed that a person can have all the success in the world but live an unhappy life, in the case of the village a family is greater than success. Mr. Summers makes the lottery appear as if it were a pleasant unified town tradition instead, the significance behind the lottery …show more content…

Delacroix and Tessie until Tessie is chosen for the lottery. "Mrs. Delacroix selected a stone so large she had to pick it up with both hands and turned to Mrs. Dunbar. "Come on," she said. "Hurry up" (Jackson). Mrs. Delacroix's actions display her eagerness to betray Tessie. She appears to be Tessie's friend at the beginning of the story but encourages that the villagers stone her. Before chosen, Tessie is eager to see the lottery through but once she is selected she is just as eager to get out of it. " There's Don and Eva," Mrs. Hutchinson yelled. "Make them take their Chance!" (Jackson). Tessie appears to support the lottery but she comprises her role as good citizen when she offers up her children instead of herself therefore displaying her true selfish

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