Incidents of Irony in the “The Lottery”
“The Lottery” what an oddly amusing title selection for the short story by Shirley Jackson. Many instances occur that contradict with what the reader thinks is happening and what actually happens, this keeps the reader guessing throughout the whole story. The term irony describes these occurrences exceptionally well. Throughout the story Jackson gradually reveals the underlying meaning of something much darker than one may imagine beginning with the title: “The Lottery,” followed by leading one to believe the children are gathering rocks for fun, and then closing with Mrs. Hutchinson screaming “it isn’t fair, it isn’t right” (137).
The title “The Lottery” poses as a primary example of irony. To most people …show more content…
Hutchinson screams “it isn’t fair, it isn’t right” (137). Unfortunately, Bill Hutchinson draws the piece of paper with the black dot on it for his family. They are asked if there are any other households in the Hutchinson family, and without hesitation Mrs. Hutchinson offers Don and Eva. She yells “make them take their chance” not caring if one of them wins, as long as it is not her (137). Mrs. Hutchinson’s wish for Don and Eva to draw is declined, therefore every member of the Hutchinson family has to draw. Each person takes a paper from the black box, opens it, and four of the five family members are relieved finding nothing on their paper. Mrs. Hutchinson does not say a word keeping the paper to herself. Mr. Hutchinson, her husband, comes over to “force the slip of paper out of her hand” revealing “the black spot” Mr. Summer’s made. (137). Meaning Tessie Hutchinson is the winner of the lottery and will be stoned. She exclaims “it isn’t fair, it isn’t right” when the villagers are “upon her” (137). How ironic that Mrs. Hutchinson is completely fine with someone else winning. But when she finds out it is her, it becomes unfair.
Irony is found in many places throughout the story requiring the use of imagination to unravel what Shirley Jackson is revealing to readers, starting with the title of the story “The Lottery,” then leading the reader to believe the children gathered rocks as a part of a game, ending with Mrs. Hutchinson screaming “it isn’t fair, it isn’t right” (137). These examples are just a few of the many ironic happenings, so one can appreciate how entertaining the story is by keeping the reader guessing what may happen
“The Lottery” what an oddly amusing title selection for the short story by Shirley Jackson. Many instances occur that contradict with what the reader thinks is happening and what actually happens, this keeps the reader guessing throughout the whole story. The term irony describes these occurrences exceptionally well. Throughout the story Jackson gradually reveals the underlying meaning of something much darker than one may imagine beginning with the title: “The Lottery,” followed by leading one to believe the children are gathering rocks for fun, and then closing with Mrs. Hutchinson screaming “it isn’t fair, it isn’t right” (137).
The title “The Lottery” poses as a primary example of irony. To most people …show more content…
Hutchinson screams “it isn’t fair, it isn’t right” (137). Unfortunately, Bill Hutchinson draws the piece of paper with the black dot on it for his family. They are asked if there are any other households in the Hutchinson family, and without hesitation Mrs. Hutchinson offers Don and Eva. She yells “make them take their chance” not caring if one of them wins, as long as it is not her (137). Mrs. Hutchinson’s wish for Don and Eva to draw is declined, therefore every member of the Hutchinson family has to draw. Each person takes a paper from the black box, opens it, and four of the five family members are relieved finding nothing on their paper. Mrs. Hutchinson does not say a word keeping the paper to herself. Mr. Hutchinson, her husband, comes over to “force the slip of paper out of her hand” revealing “the black spot” Mr. Summer’s made. (137). Meaning Tessie Hutchinson is the winner of the lottery and will be stoned. She exclaims “it isn’t fair, it isn’t right” when the villagers are “upon her” (137). How ironic that Mrs. Hutchinson is completely fine with someone else winning. But when she finds out it is her, it becomes unfair.
Irony is found in many places throughout the story requiring the use of imagination to unravel what Shirley Jackson is revealing to readers, starting with the title of the story “The Lottery,” then leading the reader to believe the children gathered rocks as a part of a game, ending with Mrs. Hutchinson screaming “it isn’t fair, it isn’t right” (137). These examples are just a few of the many ironic happenings, so one can appreciate how entertaining the story is by keeping the reader guessing what may happen