Pressure In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

The average person is pressured by the people around him to perform in acts that would not normally be considered. The boundaries of these “acts” could range from petty theft, to mass murder. Shirley Jackson explains this clear fact, and ponders on the topic in the short story, “The Lottery”. The plot begins in a jovial small village, which becomes more important knowing that fact that Jackson was left dejected by the people of a small town she lived in her 30’s, as a direct result of her eccentric writing ideas. Jackson considers how far people can be driven to the brink of utter insanity by means of society pressure. Shirley Jackson develops a theme of society pressure, by means of mood and indirect characterization, to the extent of showcasing

how it can result in people committing unthinkable and unethical acts.
In the beginning, the theme of society pressure was introduced with the mood of the story, which suggested that the day of the “lottery” was just another day in the calendar.

The story starts out extremely slow-paced. The author describes the situation in a cheerful manner, as shown as she describes the day as “clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green” (Jackson 1). The pleasant mood exhibits the city dwellers’ implications that the day of the “lottery” is just another day on the calendar. This quote suggests that the people don’t view the “lottery” day as something special, and it has become a part of system. This highlights the people’s unethicalness, as they have integrated a truly dreadful tradition into their society. The cheery mood was carried on, as the men “began to gather, surveying their own children, speaking of planting and rain, tractors and taxes” (Jackson 1). The overall mood given to the story suggests that the people are treating this day as any other. They are rather taking the advantage of all being together and discussing important topics. This is awfully unethical, as they have amalgamated the “lottery” with their community for no particular reason. Shirley Jackson shows, through mood, that the “lottery” has been accepted into their culture due to society

pressure.
In the middle, as the lottery was being conducted, the theme of society pressure was highlighted by the indirect characterization of the people, as they mindlessly ignored the fact that somebody was going to get stoned through their constant rushing through the “lottery”. As everybody gathers around in the circle, importance is soon taken away from the tradition when the civic director, Mr. Summer, states, “‘guess we better get started, get this over with, so’s we can go back to work.’” (Jackson 4). Mr. Summer’s words indicate the loss of respect for this defining tradition. “Society pressure” has engraved this ritual into the people’s lives. The insignificance for this tradition is shown through the indirect characterization, as Mr. Summers wants to get finished with this “minor” intrusion so they can go back to more important work. The pettiness associated with the lottery proves to be unethical, as treating the death of a person, as a distraction from more important activities is nothing by plainly wrong and absurd. The joking of the people further disgraces this event deserving high prestige, at the minimum. The playful attitude is highlighted through Tessie’s choice of words, as she announces, “‘Get up there, Bill,’ Mrs. Hutchinson said, and the people near her laughed.” (Jackson 5). These words, that mean nothing by themself, escalate into something bigger, as she pokes jokes at an extremely serious matter. The citizens of this region have let this tradition merge itself with their society, due to the pressure surrounding it. The jokes are another way of saying how unimportant the “real ritual” is, and how it’s now just about stoning a person annually; the true meaning behind the “lottery” has been lost. Through indirect characterization, Jackson has incorporated the theme of society pressure by highlighting the fact that people have given no prominence to the death of a person.
In the end, the hypnotization of society pressure, shown through indirect characterization, wearied off for the person that was selected, but the other people still unthinkably followed on with the tradition.

After Tessie was chosen for the stoning, all of the society pressure suddenly was forgotten. The hypocrisy generated from the sudden change of tides was evident as she wailed, “‘You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair!’” (Jackson 6). The society pressure eventually wearied off, as the person who was chosen realizes the horrendous acts that will follow. The hypocrisy after being chosen shows how the people haven’t thought as they have supported this barbaric ritual, and shows how important it is to speak out at the right time. The most brutal aspect of the “lottery”, however, is the other people’s failure to feel any sort of sympathy for the victim. This is evident through Mrs. Delacroix’s answer and how she wanted Tessie to, “‘Be a good sport’ Mrs. Delacroix called” (Jackson 7). Shirley Jackson shows how there is a point after you can’t be convinced out of the society pressure. The people’s unethicalness is displayed though their deficiency of sympathy for the victim. Through indirect characterization, Jackson is able to display how the society pressure is still remembered through the victim’s pleading, which showcases its unethical effects on

people.
Using indirect characterization and mood, Shirley Jackson laces the theme of society pressure in the story, and shows its unethical and unthinkable results. It is firstly introduced through the mood, as she gives the idea that the “lottery” is not a big deal for the people. The theme of society pressure is then exhibited using indirect characterization, as the people are shown to be ignoring the violent death awaiting. Finally, it is indicated that the person that is chosen for death forgets about any of the society pressure and pleads for mercy, while the others, exempt from the horrific death, still carry on. By reviving her memories from the past, she is able to see man’s ability to be highly susceptible to society pressure. Her message leaves a last impact not by the power of the words, but more by the dystopian consequences predicted. Her reigning message states that people should not give in to society pressure (if it is negative), and should always let their point of view be heard at the right time.