Randomness Of Persecution In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

In the Lottery by Shirley Jackson, this short passage discuss the significance of characterization, tone, symbolism, metaphor, similes and different phrases each of these subjects help shape the short story. In this short story the Lottery takes place in a small village in which the town gathers around in order to pick names out of the box. This story has to deal with the themes dangers of blindly following tradition but also the randomness of persecution.

In the short story the Lottery gave off to be an interesting passage with different themes which are danger of blindly following tradition and also the randomness of persecution. The Lottery is a village in which the town picks names out of a tradition box in order to stone one member

of the family believing society is perfect. This passage gives an the example of how tradition can lead into dangers actions when founded blinded. These villagers seem to not understand how in humane their traditions have lead to, by killing a family member without remorse. An example of is when “it isn’t fair, isn’t right, Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her.” The quote examples how the characters in the story didn’t seem to second question who they were stoning but also how unfair it had became.

Mrs. Hutchinson realized the how tradition has given the villagers a blind eye in order to assume it’s normal to murder someone for sport. The town seems to take this tradition as a normal family gathering in order to play a game. But in reality the game is by throwing the biggest and hardest stone to a family member, friend or neighbor in the short story. Generation after generation of following the same tradition over an over again doesn’t stand out to being an unfair or inhumane action. But also the villagers will never realize how unfair the community is becoming until they’re in the shoes of the person being stoned till death. Another theme that the passage gives the reader is how family is big part of this passage. Family matters very much in the the passage but once that person is chosen to be stoned that person is no longer a family member but instead a target. The villagers easily turn against each other in the matter of moments without giving the any remorse even if that person could be the mother, father, sister, brother, uncle or etc. Even though the people in the lottery value marriage, and

having kids there is no promise to loyalty or love once their target has been chosen. For example “ The children had stones already. And someone gave little Davy Hutchinson few pebbles.” In this quote Mrs. Hutchison was chosen to be stoned in order to complete the tradition of the lottery but instead of her family caring, they join in the event. Having the small boy join the event by throwing pebbles towards someone he loves shows that family isn’t an major factor.

The short story the author gives the reader two different types of symbols which are the representation of the black box and the lottery.

The black box is a symbol of tradition and also loyalty in the community. The black box is represented as an important item in order to complete the lottery, which the community uses as a tradition. The black box is the only thing the community never changes it or even tries to remodel it. This is an example of how there are so many different cultures who live in America who celebrate Thanksgiving without knowing why, but something that is done. Instead it’s something that generation after generation family and friends get together to eat a huge meal for one specific day. Thanksgiving is just tradition even without knowing why its done just like the black box. The lottery is done by reusing the box over and over again in order to choice the person that will be stoned till death. An example “Mr. Summer spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box.” This quote shows how the community is scared of anything that involves of changing their old traditional ways. From the quote it seems that the villagers assume that changing the box will cause some consequences in their daily lives but also the tradition of the lottery. The villagers have been loyal to the black box that helps them keep the tradition after every generation. These people seem to

keep and protect a black box that causes family members and friends into being murdered instead of being loyal to them. Year after year the people see how the box continues to get in worse condition with more and more splinters but don’t dare to fix what represents tradition. Another symbol in the passage is the lottery which represents how the society has lost their humanity. In the story the lottery seems to be shown as a healthy fun event for community but everything changes when the villagers pick up pebbles. Until the passage reveals the lottery is be represented as a cruel event by throwing rocks to a person who name was picked out of a box. “ The lottery was conducted — as were the square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program by Mr. Summers, who had time and energy to devote to civic activities.” This quote helps show how the lottery is viewed like any other event like a birthday party, cook outs, thanksgiving and easter.
The biggest metaphor in this passage is the lottery, we as readers believe the lottery is winning something good or a decision that will change your life. In reality winning the lottery is something everyone wishes they can have a chance to get. Instead the author interprets the lottery as a cruel event where people actually have fun by killing friends or family. The lottery is a metaphor of how humanity can be lost in a quick second if we are pushed over and over again. The reason why I think this is because the passage repeats over and over again how the small children are getting pebbles in order to throw them at people. “The children has stone already. And someone gave little Davy Hutchinson few pebble.” The small children don’t understand what to choice but are told by their parents to throw pebbles. We as adults don’t realize what choices would be best for us to use and when we are pushed into decisions we don’t know we continue the practice even if it has consequences. Slowly these children grow up losing their humanity and their love for people and witnessing death.
This story has showed different ways to express symbols, themes, and metaphor that was used in order to have a stronger meaning towards the main purpose of the story. I think Shirley Jackson wrote an amazing short story to warn people how society can become so corrupt even with our knowing.