A Tradition that Blinds
“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” Recently, I read The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. This story was about a town that had a tradition of holding a lottery, and then stoning to death the person chosen. The theme of this story was that people follow their tradition blindly, not ever questioning what is right or wrong. As the quote above shows, morals are something that should always be stood up for no matter what others are doing. The author develops this theme by using point of view, a conflict, and symbolism.
By using point of view, the author helped develop the theme- that people follow their tradition blindly. The Lottery is told in third person objective, meaning the narrator of the story has no insight into any of the characters’ thoughts or feelings. This contributed to the theme because it symbolizes the characters’ lack of thoughts while following their tradition. On page 7 it says, “Tessie Hutchinson was in the center of a cleared space by now, and she held her hands out desperately as the
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villagers moved in on her.” The author, giving no reason as to why the townspeople are murdering Tessie, makes the reader assume that they have no valid reason. Therefore, the villagers are simply following what everyone else is doing, and not considering what is right. Proving the theme, this shows that the people are blindly following their tradition. Clearly, the point of view of The Lottery played a great part in enhancing the theme. However, the conflict in the text also helped to show the idea that people follow their tradition blindly. Another literary element that was used to develop the theme in The Lottery is conflict, or the lack of. The story, containing so little internal conflict, led me to believe that the townspeople were blindly following their tradition. In the text on page 7, it states, “Alright folks,’ Mr Summers said. ‘Let’s finish quickly.” This quote shows that the people in the town are more concerned about getting finished quickly than if killing someone is morally right. They seem to think nothing of stoning Tessie Hutchinson to death. Also, on page 7 it says, “Delacroix selected a stone so large that she had to pick it up with both hands...” This shows that the villagers have no misgivings about killing one of their fellow townspeople. Towards the end of the story, Mrs. Delacroix even picked out the largest and heaviest rock she could handle to kill her friend whom she had been talking to just moments before. Never hesitating or pausing to think what was right, she simply killed and betrayed her friend. This very obviously shows that the people in the town are blindly following their tradition. So, the idea that the villagers have very little internal conflict contributes to the theme, that people follow their tradition blindly. Helping to illustrate the theme, the author uses the literary element, symbolism.
The first symbol that Shirley Jackson uses is the concept is the black box. In the beginning of the story (on page 2), the black box was depicted as, “No longer completely black but splintered badly along one side to show the original wood color, and in some places faded or stained.” This description gives the reader an image of a very old, worn, and tattered box. This is symbolic of the tradition itself. Much like the box, the Lottery is a worn out tradition. “ ‘Some places have already quit lotteries,” Mrs. Adams said,’ ” Showing that many of the other towns had already quit lotteries, this quote proves that the lottery is far too old of a tradition to keep up. After analyzing the text, it is clear to me that the concept of symbolism helps demonstrate the
theme. In The Lottery, many literary elements, such as point of view, conflict, and symbolism were used to help construct the theme. Displaying how dangerous it can be if people do not consider what is right before acting, this text teaches people a very important lesson. Even today, tradition often causes people to abandon their morals, and thoughts. Even if everyone else is doing something, that does not make it right. Though Tessie Hutchinson didn't win the lottery as far as luck, she taught us all a valuable lesson.
There is no question what so ever that Jackson inserted a manifold of symbols in order to have a more profound impact on the story’s ending. Symbolism is an object, word, or idea that has a deeper meaning than how it is put into use. It serves as an iconic representation of something more emotional. Using symbolism lets the author plant a seed in the reader’s mind in which triggers a more profound reaction once the true meaning behind the symbol are revealed. In the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson there are a manifold of symbolic references that are used. It seems as Jackson wants us to question whether or not every tradition are done with good morality. As shown through this short story, many of the townspeople have a belief that their tradition is an act that would be approved by
In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” the theme of the story is dramatically illustrated by Jackson’s unique tone. Once a year the villagers gather together in the central square for the lottery. The villagers await the arrival of Mr. Summers and the black box. Within the black box are folded slips of paper, one piece having a black dot on it. All the villagers then draw a piece of paper out of the box. Whoever gets the paper with the black dot wins. Tessie Hutchinson wins the lottery! Everyone then closes in on her and stones her to death. Tessie Hutchinson believes it is not fair because she was picked. The villagers do not know why the lottery continues to exist. All they know is that it is a tradition they are not willing to abandon. In “The Lottery,” Jackson portrays three main themes including tradition, treason, and violence.
Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery', is a story that is filled with symbolism. The author uses symbolism to help her represent human nature as tainted, no matter how pure one thinks of himself or herself, or how pure their environment may seem to be. The story is very effective in raising many questions about the pointless nature of humanity regarding tradition and violence. 'The Lottery' clearly expresses Jackson's feelings concerning mankind?s evil nature hiding behind traditions and rituals. She shows how coldness and lack of compassion in people can exhibit in situations regarding tradition and values. Jackson presents the theme of this short story with a major use of symbolism. Symbolism shows throughout the setting of 'The Lottery,' the objects, the peoples actions, and even in the time and the names of the lucky contestants.
The author does not have much time to make a point like in a novel, so they must implore the use of symbols. There are several symbols in “The Lottery.” The first example is in the characters of the story. The names and personalities that Jackson chose for these specific characters have more to them than what meets the eye. Mr. Summers, “a round-faced, jovial man,” is the face of the lottery (Jackson 260). He is cheerful and takes the actions he must organize rather lightly, considering he is organizing the death of a neighbor. His assistant, Mr. Graves, is quiet and stands to the side. Readers can quickly see the contrast in names and actions that Jackson is trying to portray. In “Jackson’s ‘The Lottery,’” Amy Griffin describes the symbolism on a deeper level. She
In Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery" symbols are used to enhance and stress the theme of the story. A symbol is a person, object, action, place, or event that in addition to its literal meaning, suggests a more complex meaning or range of meanings. (Kirszner & Mendell 330) The theme of the story is how coldness and lack of compassion can be exhibited in people in situations regarding tradition and values. That people will do incredibly evil and cruel things just for the sake of keeping a routine. Three of the main symbols that Shirley uses in the story is the setting, black box, and the actual characters names. They all tie together to form an intriguing story that clearly shows the terrible potential if society forgets the basis of tradition. The story also shows many similarities between the culture of the village, and the culture of Nazi Germany. How blind obedience to superiors can cause considerable damage to not only a community, but the entire world. Symbolism plays a large role in "The Lottery" to set the theme of the story and make the reader question traditions.
Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is a chilling tale of a harsh ritualistic gathering conducted by people of a small village. The word lottery would typically remind someone of a drawing to win a cash prize. A better comparison to the story would be the lottery used to select troops for the Vietnam War; a lottery of death. Another would be the human sacrifices the Aztecs willingly made long ago.
Why would a civilized and peaceful town would ever suggest the horrifying acts of violence can take place anywhere at anytime and the most ordinary people can commit them. Jackson's fiction is noted for exploring incongruities in everyday life, and “The Lottery”, perhaps her most exemplary work in this respect, examines humanity's capacity for evil within a contemporary, familiar, American setting. Noting that the story’s characters, physical environment, and even its climactic action lacks significant individuating detail, most critics view “The Lottery.” As a modern-day parable or fable, which obliquely addresses a variety of themes, including the dark side of human nature, the danger of ritualized behavior, and the potential for cruelty when the individual submits to the mass will. Shirley Jackson also addresses cruelty by the citizen’s refusal to stand up and oppose “The Lottery.” Violence and cruelty is a major theme in “The Lottery.”
box. We do not always enjoy change, even if it might prove beneficial to us.
Jackson uses the lottery itself to function as an ironic symbol of tradition in the story. In today’s society, a lottery is an event that has positive connotations related to it. A lottery a game that is associated with fun, chance, fun, and expectation. Good things usually result from lotteries especially for those who win. Furthermore, those who don’t win have nothing to lose. Lotteries bring forth a feeling of great expectation of a wonderful outcome. Through out the story, the lottery is projected as a harmless and affable pastime, which is how it is used in today’s society; however, by the end of the story it ends with disaster.
The characters in a short story are vital to understanding everything that the author has put into her work. Most of Shirley Jackson’s characters in “The Lottery” adapt as the story goes on, revealing their true opinions and behaviors. Her characters are also true to life, which establishes realism in her stories. Tess, Old Man Warner, and the women of this story all provide outlooks and opinions that shape “The Lottery” into the constructive story it is.
In conclusion, Shirley Jackson used many literary devices throughout the entire story. In “The Lottery” Shirley Jackson, uses symbolism, irony, and imagery to appeal to readers that read this story. Other literary devices such as characterization were identified in this story but the three that were elaborated on were the ones that stood out. The emphasis on religious traditions and symbols make “The Lottery” one the darkest and most mysterious
In "The Lottery" Shirley Jackson fills her story with many literary elements to mask the evil. The story demonstrates how it is in human nature to blindly follow traditions. Even if the people have no idea why they follow.
Blindly following a person, tradition, or an ideology is illogical and prevents progression of individuals and their surrounding society. In Shirley Jackson’s 1948 short story, “The Lottery”, all the members of a small town gather together per annum to randomly choose a human sacrifice in hopes of a plentiful harvest. After the drawings are completed, it is determined that Tessie Hutchinson drew the paper with a black spot. The townspeople grabbed rocks from a pile that was gathered by the children earlier and stoned her to death. Jackson uses symbolism, imagery, and patriarchal leadership to bring the reader to a sunny, but dark world where a community murders a member of their society without hesitation to satisfy a deep-rooted tradition.
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, is a short story about an annual lottery draw in a small town. The story sets place in a small town in New England. Every year a lottery is held, in which one person is to be randomly chosen to be stoned to death by the people in the village. The lottery has been practiced for over seventy years by the townspeople. By using symbolism, Jackson uses names, objects, and the setting to conceal the true meaning and intention of the lottery.
One can see by examining the imagery of a beautiful sunny day, and the symbolism of young and innocent children in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, that this story is not an archetypal horror story. Firstly, one can see that the imagery that is explained in the narrative, describes a sunny and peaceful afternoon, which is ironic because of the stories dark and tragic ending. The first sentence of the story describes the setting in which the lottery takes place, as a peaceful and uneventful morning, rather than a gloomy and secluded site, which is considered a cliché of a classical horror story. To give the story an ironic twist of imagery, Jackson wrote; “The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were