The Lottery Shirley Jackson Analysis

American author Shirley jackson is known for her collection of short stories; her most notable being “The Lottery.” Published in 1948, this story depicts a town carrying out an unquestioned tradition as it conducts its annual lottery. Consequently, readers are left with an understanding of the dangers that result from blindly followed traditions. Furthermore, through this story, Jackson was able to communicate her concerns with events and practices that were taking place during its publication. However, this story does not only pertain to post-war America, as its theme, rooted in human nature, may pertain to any society or time period.

Firstly, the circumstances which ensured the continuation the lottery in Jackson’s story, are similar to

The American people joined the Wisconsin Senator in accusing their friends, neighbors, and family members of having sympathies with the communist party. Although the majority of these accusations were false, they went unquestioned, as Americans allowed themselves to be guided by their fears. Ultimately, this failure to question, destroyed reputations of the accused, and lead to loss of job and, in some cases, life. Likewise, the practice depicted in “The Lottery” was also driven by fear. Except this practice was not driven by a fear of communism, rather, it was driven by a fear of straying from tradition and the change it would bring. With her description of the black box as having “Been put to use even before Old Man Warner, the oldest man in town, was born” (30). Jackson establishes the longevity of the lottery’s tradition. Furthermore Jackson also used the box to explain the feeling the townspeople had toward their the lottery. She wrote, “Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as represented by the black box” (30). With this apprehension toward the slightest of changes, the

The theme being, that it is human nature to blindly follow practices, policies, and traditions until one feels the negative effects. For example in “The Lottery,” the character of Tessie Hutchinson follows suit with her family and neighbors by participating in the town’s lottery. It was only until she was unjustly sentenced to death, however, that she began to negate the practice. Watching her neighbors and family crowd around her, armed with stones, she began to plead,“It isn 't fair, it isn 't right” (36). Moreover, even in contemporary society one can observe these particular behaviors. When the question of war or violence arises, it is the loudest voices that make the decision; even if the silent voices of the majority hold a different one. They keep quiet out of fear; fear of conflict, fear of change, and fear of communism. Throughout these three circumstances, it is this fear which leads to hurt, anger, and