Shirley Jackson’s short story, “The Lottery,” is about a village of three hundred people, taking their chances in a ritualistic drawing. Jackson writes the story in third person, to show emphasis on all of the characters that are included. Consequently, Jackson shows the irony of the Lottery ceremony in this village, since it isn’t to win money or a prize; it is to win your fate of your life by being stoned to death. By this means, it is apparent that Tessie Hutchinson was the one who suffered a cataclysmic death.
The opening of the story seems warm and relaxed since the day is “clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green (Jackson, Shirley).” Each year during the summer, the children of the village collect rocks and place them in the village square; which are later used to stone the winner of the lottery. Mr. Summers, is the leader of the lottery, who shows up with the black box, along with Mr. Graves, the postman. Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves are the ones that write a list of households and names for each family, who live in the village, prior to the lottery. …show more content…
The villagers and Mr. Summers noticed that Mr. Dunbar wasn’t present and he then asked who would draw in place for him. Mrs. Dunbar said that she would draw for her husband. Soon after, Mr. Summers continued to reiterate the rules of the lottery to the village: “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 (Jackson, Shirley).” Once every head of the household had picked their paper, they waited for Mr. Summers to give them the order to open
The opening of the story seems warm and relaxed since the day is “clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green (Jackson, Shirley).” Each year during the summer, the children of the village collect rocks and place them in the village square; which are later used to stone the winner of the lottery. Mr. Summers, is the leader of the lottery, who shows up with the black box, along with Mr. Graves, the postman. Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves are the ones that write a list of households and names for each family, who live in the village, prior to the lottery. …show more content…
The villagers and Mr. Summers noticed that Mr. Dunbar wasn’t present and he then asked who would draw in place for him. Mrs. Dunbar said that she would draw for her husband. Soon after, Mr. Summers continued to reiterate the rules of the lottery to the village: “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 (Jackson, Shirley).” Once every head of the household had picked their paper, they waited for Mr. Summers to give them the order to open