Names And Symbolism In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is a short story that takes place in the warm morning of June 27th in a small town of a couple hundred people, and it describes an annual and traditional event in the town. The event is to sacrifice the winner in the name of the good of the village. This section is particularly rich in symbolism. The author uses symbolism to address readers of the unkind nature of human being in addition to preserving costumes and tradition. Among many symbols and symbolism, the use of objects, the character’s names, and even the use of setting as a symbolism, Shirley Jackson tries to gather the purpose and the meaning of the lottery.

The black box plays an important role in “The Lottery”. It represents the belief in the customs

and tradition; even though the black box was getting old and shabby Mr. Summers and his followers wasn’t unable to throw it away or even replace it with a new one. “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”(134). Limiting the villagers a possibility to change the box, Jackson highlights the importance to preserve certain symbols or aspects of tradition. Although no one in the village questions the origin of the black box, but accept it as an intrinsic part of their life. For example, the black box represents the continuity and persistence of “The Lottery” over the time; in addition the black box as well as the slips represents the edge between life and death.
That is a matter of fact the use of symbolic names and characters in “The Lottery”.

The use of unknown and rare names or even historical names is evident. Therefore, the author cleverly combines each name and character with their respectively personality and relevance to the story. For example, Mr. Summers, who is the most wealthy and powerful men of the town, and he has the responsibility to lead and keep alive the tradition; “The Lottery was conducted (…) by Mr. Summers, who had time and energy to devote to civic activities” (133); the game happens every year in summer conduct by Mr. Summers which both represent the sun’s ray, the power and the energy. Warner, a historical and symbolic name is the oldest man in the town who has been participating 77 times in “The Lottery”; he represents chronologically the regularity and extension of “The Lottery” as tradition over the time; when Mrs. Adams mentioned that some villages quit the lottery he said, “Nothing but trouble in that” and he adds “Pack of young fools” (136). Mrs. Delacroix, symbolic and historic name as well, which in Latin and French means “of the cross” suggests sacrifice. She represents a dual side of human being; she was very kind and pleasant with Tessie Hutchinson when Bill Hutchinson got the ticket, “Be a good sport, Tessie” (137); but she showed up her evil and cruel side when Tessie won the ticket of “The Lottery”; “Mrs. Delacroix selected a stone so large she had to pick it up with both hands (…)”

(138).
There is no doubt about the technique use of the setting as a symbolism; In other words, the green and the blossoming of the flowers which represent the hopefulness and renaissance contrast with a black box and grey stones which represent the sorrow and death. The story began on a beautiful summer day in a small town. “The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green” (133). The scenery is described as serene and peaceful like if nothing is going to happen. This apparently normal and happy setting with children playing around contrasts with the brutality of the lottery. Using the contrast between this two distinct reality, Jackson underline the fact that a savage side of human being can take place even in a warm summer day in a beautiful town.
The chant that was a part of a ritual ceremony disappeared, and it is no longer used in “The Lottery”; in addition, the chips of wood that have been used for generations were substituted by slips of paper; this reflects the idea that some aspects or symbols part of the tradition can be forgotten or changed by the society. On the other hands, when the black box even shabby and discolored cannot be replaced as well the participation of children in the game shows that the customs and traditions can be transmitted from generation by generation. Shirley Jackson clearly uses different symbols and symbolism to express her feelings regarding traditional rituals. The end of the story is very strong in terms of education and refutation: education because “The Lottery” itself tries to “open mind” of the readers about some cruel traditions that still in practice nowadays; refutation because when Mrs. Hutchinson screamed “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,” (138) she is not mentioning this particular game, but “The Lottery” itself as tradition is unfair and wrong. No one should be sacrificed in the name of the good or anything else.