3 Essays - Dystopian Literature, Films, Human Sacrifice, The Lottery

Roberts 1 Carla R. Roberts Sharon Wallace English 120 7 June 2011 Setting in Shirley Jackson?s ?The Lottery? It is likely to assume that a lottery is a good thing. We all want to win something in life. Whether a car, a trip to Hawaii, or a million dollars, we all want the chance to be the lucky one of many. The townspeople in the story the lottery, seemed to be gathering for such an event with joy and enthusiasm. Everyone was waiting anxiously for the lottery to begin. At least that?s how it seemed. As the story progressed, it is revealed that they are all, in fact, afraid of the results. In actuality, no one really wanted to hold the winning ticket. Cleverly, the author opens the story by painting a joyful mood. It was sunny and warm. The flowers were in bloom. Children were laughing and playing. Women gossiped amongst one another while men spoke of family and the fields. The characters seemed at peace. They were calm and content. Even the stories focal character, Tessie, bought humor to the setting which gave a light air. But it wasn?t until Tessie made a scene when her husband Roberts 2 selected the winning ticket that we begin to see the plot turn negative. Most people would be happy to win the lottery. But knowing death is the outcome, it is understood why she would be against her husband choosing the slip that he did. Although the setting is pleasant from the start, it is not until the end of the story that you realize every small detail has significant meaning. When Mr. Summers asked for assistance with the box, there was a hesitance from the men. It seemed as if no one wanted to disturb the traditions in the box used to hold the lottery and jinx their chances of winning by touching it, but they simply felt as if they were assisting fate in their own possible death. Tessie showing up late was a normal incident. It is easy to lose track of time. But she was reluctant to come for fear of her destiny. The boys were gathering stones for what was assumed to be child?s play, but, in the end, aided in murder of an innocent woman. Even the comment that was made about the how soon the lottery came back around showed that the townspeople did not truly welcome the lottery. They were able to behave in such a normal manner during this event because they accepted it. The lottery was expected and destined to oc cur, despite the opposition of the townspeople. Roberts 3 Work Cited Jackson, Shirley. ?The Lottery.? Introduction to Literature. New York, NY: Pearson, 2011