How Is Tradition Used In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

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In “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson masterfully uses symbolism, imagery, and setting to explore the powerful grip of tradition and ritual on a community. The story’s black box symbolizes the enduring legacy of customs, while the vivid imagery of the townspeople and their actions paints a picture of unquestioned routine. The setting, a seemingly idyllic town square, contrasts with the dark tradition it hosts, underscoring the theme that even the most picturesque communities can harbor sinister traditions. This helps set the stage for a deeper examination of how traditions can lead to devastating outcomes when followed blindly. Shirley Jackson uses her protagonist Tessie Hutchinson in her short story “The Lottery” to portray the power of tradition and ritual …show more content…

As Jackson describes, “The black box grew shabbier each year; by now it was no longer completely black but splintered badly along one side to show the original wood color, and in some places faded or stained” (Jackson 420). The black box, old and falling apart, just like the outdated tradition it represents. This shows how following tradition can lead to dark and horrible consequences when nobody decides to stop and question why they are doing what they are doing. Shirley Jackson uses imagery to highlight the theme of tradition and ritual in her short story “The Lottery.” Jackson describes the lottery as if it is just another community event with vivid images of family gatherings and the town’s normal activities. But as the story unfolds, the imagery shifts to something more sinister. Jackson’s use of imagery, like in the line “The children had stones already, and someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles” (Jackson 425), chillingly illustrates the normalization of violence in the town’s tradition. This contrast in imagery shows how deeply rooted and accepted the tradition is, despite its

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