Literary Elements In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” is a complex and thought provoking tale that stirs emotions in nearly all readers. The story takes readers on an intellectual journey that begins firmly in realism but takes a turn into dark surrealism. ”The Lottery” should continue to be taught because of its brilliant use of literary elements and timeless parable-like story structure.

Jackson’s keen use of foreshadowing, irony, and symbolism creates a story that is able to stir debates and force readers to think for themselves. The story’s idyllic summer setting creates a carefree atmosphere full of life, providing the reader with a false sense of happiness and security while also serving as a foil to the dark clues sprinkled throughout the rest of the story. By having the boys create “a great pile of stones in one corner of the Square” prior to the drawing, and having the adults appear subdue and apprehensive while standing “away from the pile of

However, I find those elements of the story to be consistent with the structure and style used in many Old and New Testament parables. It was Jackson's intention to avoid specific meaning, allowing her to address a variety of timeless issues with her parable-like structure. This is not an easy story to understand because it leaves so many unanswered questions such as: Why does the lottery exist? Is the “winner” merely stoned or stoned to death? This forces the reader to think carefully about the story and reach their own conclusions. "The Lottery" is a modern-day fable addressing a variety of themes, including the danger of blindly following tradition and the dark side of human nature. This story demands a reaction from its readers and usually gets one, which is why this story must continue to be studied in college English