Tradition As A Metaphor Of Death In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

Following tradition is considered by many to be one of the most important aspects of life. Many follow traditions and celebrate holidays without a second thought, but when you take a moment to think about what the purpose of certain traditions are, are they really for the best? This is a question that Tessie Hutchinson is confronted with in “The Lottery”, by Shirley Jackson. The lottery is an annual event in villages, and it has become a way of life. However, this is not an exciting lottery with a money prize; it is a disturbing event that results in the death of the innocent. Such a tradition must have some meaning: I believe that the lottery is used as a metaphor for death.

The lottery itself is well described in the following quotes: “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.” and, “A sudden hush fell on the crowd as Mr. Summers cleared his throat and

looked at the list. "’All ready?" he called. "Now, I'll read the names--heads of families first--and the men come up and take a paper out of the box. Keep the paper folded in your hand without looking at it until everyone has had a turn. Everything clear?’ ” In the given quotes, Mr. Summers -- who runs the lottery -- tells of the proceedings. During the event, villagers draw folded slips of paper from a box. The lottery’s ‘winner’ has a black dot on their slip, and their ‘reward’ is getting stoned to death. It is also stated that the lottery is considered a civic activity; it is an action designed to address public concerns. Yet, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what concern the lottery is addressing. Is it a matter of safety, or sacrifice? It appears that the lottery is some sort of tradition whose sole reason to exist is as a death metaphor.

It’s purpose is slowly confirmed here: “‘They do say… that over in the north village they're talking of giving up the lottery.’" Old Man Warner snorted.

"’Pack of crazy fools,’" he said. "’Listening to the young folks, nothing's good enough for them. Next thing you know, they'll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live that way for a while… There's always been a lottery,’ he added petulantly.” The new information confirms that the lottery is an event that not only takes place in the story’s village, but in other towns and villages as well. This, again, brings up the question of why it exists. The lottery is a tradition of course, but when you think about it, it can be seen as a metaphor for death. When Old Man Warner says that ‘there’s always been a lottery’, though he is referring to the tradition, Jackson uses the tradition as a reference to death. Death and destruction have been around forever, and giving up the lottery up may represent a plea for

immortality.

Look at when Tessie Hutchinson’s husband receives the death slip, for example: “... there was a long pause… then all the slips of paper were opened. Suddenly, all the women began to speak at once, saying. "Who is it?," "Who's got it?," "Is it the Dunbars?," "Is it the Watsons?" Then the voices began to say, "It's Hutchinson. It's Bill," "Bill Hutchinson's got it."... Bill Hutchinson was standing quiet, staring down at the paper in his hand. Suddenly. Tessie Hutchinson shouted to Mr. Summers. "You didn't give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!"” The dotted slip of paper represents death: It can take anyone at anytime, even when they least expect it. The victim’s loved ones -- Tessie, in this case -- can be seen experiencing the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. She is in shock; she refuses to accept that her innocent husband will be beaten to death. Next, we see her become furious. Tessie insists that the drawing was unfair, and that he did not have enough time to pick the slip he wanted.

She begins to bargain: “"I think we ought to start over," Mrs. Hutchinson said… "I tell you it wasn't fair. You didn't give him time enough to choose. Everybody saw that." Mr. Graves had selected the five slips and put them in the box. and he dropped all the papers but those onto the ground. where the breeze caught them and lifted them off. "Listen, everybody," Mrs. Hutchinson was saying to the people around her.” Tessie insists that they start over; that her husband can be given a second chance. Then, Mr. Graves has the family draw again. When they do draw, however, it is Tessie that gets the slip. “"It's Tessie," Mr. Summers said, and his voice was hushed. "Show us her paper. Bill." Bill Hutchinson went over to his wife and forced the slip of paper out of her hand. It had a black spot on it, the black spot Mr. Summers had made the night before with the heavy pencil in the coal company office. Bill Hutchinson held it up, and there was a stir in the crowd.” She experiences a moment of depression as the villagers accept her death. Her family and friends batter her to death without a second thought. Could this be symbolic of the afterlife? Perhaps Tessie is viewed by the village to be ‘dead’ before the first stone hits, and the villagers are so desensitized to death that they truly do not care anymore.

In conclusion, I believe that the lottery is used as a metaphor for death. Though it is introduced as a strange and murderous tradition, the event itself bears a striking resemblance to death itself. Anyone could end up with the deadly black slip; anyone could die. Some accept it, and others stubbornly refuse to belief that they are at death’s door. People young and old are susceptible to death, especially in a place where killing off the innocent is an annual tradition.