Use Of Archetypes In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

“The Lottery” is a satire that is meant to shock and provoke readers with the prospect that societal contentment and tradition can evoke the emersion of illogical and harmful actions. The author, Shirley Jackson, understands that the proper use of symbolism and character archetypes is followed by a more impactful story. “The Lottery” opens with children who are out of school for summer break “[on a clear and sunny… day.” (Jackson, 1948, p. 221). Such an innocuous, familiar scene, might elicit from the reader nostalgic, whimsical memories of childhood play. Appropriately, the children in this story represent the innocent, susceptible future generation of the town. They do not seem to fully fathom the severity of the lottery or the abhorrent nature of the violence associated with the town’s traditions. For this reason, the reader most likely develops an expectation that this story will be a pleasant and optimistic one that takes place on a beautiful sunny day and involves the laughter and tomfoolery of young happy kids.

Mr.

Summers is the next character introduced who is of particular interest. Mr. Summers is representative of a dutiful public servant who unthinkingly carries out his civic duties. He never questions the ethics of his part in the lottery. Instead, he is steadfast if insuring that he best facilitates the process by making sure strict protocol is adhered to. Mr. Summer’s character is followed by the presence of the dilapidated black box. “Tradition was represented by the black box” (Jackson, 1948, p. 222). The black box is presented in the story as old and decrepit. However, is not replaced by the townsfolk because they cannot move forward from antiquated

values.
Next, the adults in the story signify the insipid stagnancy of a complacent and thoughtless society. They are beyond the point of considering the good or bad that emerges from the lottery. They simply wish to live their monotonous lives comfortably, even if that comfort comes at the price of possible death. Amongst the current generation lurks the oldest man in town, Old Man Warner. Old Man Warner symbolizes the older generation. He is not simply satisfied with the practice of the lottery, he fervently feels that it maintains civic order. Moreover, he openly condemns the actions of neighboring towns who no longer conduct a lottery, maintaining that their transgressions will evoke the regression of society.
Finally, the people in the town as a conglomerate epitomize the dangerous, imposing power and mercilessness of a mob. Once they come together as a group, no one individual is responsible for the death of the lottery winner. That way, everyone is absolved from the guilt of murder. It is quite a frightening concept, to consider the possibility of your friends and neighbors ruthlessly killing you with sound and easy minds. This notion is touched upon near the end of the story, and it rather beautifully counters the original tone of the story, thus making the ending much more shocking and effective.

Works Cited
Jackson, S. (1948). The Lottery. In x. j. Kennedy, & D. Gioia, Literature. Phenox : Pearson.