Use Of The Dramatic Point Of View In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

The dramatic point of view used in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” tells the story of an unnamed village that celebrates an unusually event. At the beginning of the story the narrator gives small details of the lottery taking place, but does not go into full detail until the end where he reveals that the winner of the lottery is to be stoned to death by the other villagers. As the story is told the narrator seems to be in the third person point of view which is very critical to this story. The use of third person is very effective in telling this strange tale, because the way the narrators blandness conveys the villagers on how they feel about the lottery. Which helps build up the suspense throughout the tale, the narrator gives out bits and pieces of information to the reader through actions and discussions the villages have without giving away the final twist.

In paragraph 7, the narrator states,”. at one time, some people remembered, there had been a recital of some sort...". Also, in paragraph 13, the narrator says "Although Mr. Summers and everyone else in the village knew the answer perfectly well ...". So this limited use of omniscience does not separate from the story, and is used in a casual but effective way to inform the readers to the little details that do not need to be broadcasted. In a matter of fact the tone and caring speech of the narrator allows him able to set the atmosphere of the story, which matches the attitude the villagers have towards the lottery. The narrator is going through his or her daily routine explaining details, expressing conversations, while also revealing the history of the lottery. These actions bring the readers to not have a high expectation, while the story slowly builds to the