What Does The Black-Box Symbolize In The Lottery

The author of The Lottery, Shirley Jackson, makes use of symbolism throughout her short story to get her intended purpose across to the audience. Throughout the storyline, the image of the “black-box” is mentioned approximately 20 times. This box plays quite a large role in the plot of the story in that the pieces of paper inside of it ultimately determines the fate of one the villager’s lives. Whichever individual draws the sheet of paper from the black box with the black dot on is plagued with the fate of the lottery. This villager is sentenced to death by means of stoning by the hands of the remaining townspeople. The “black-box” is representative of the old ways of which the members of the town live and the control the box has over the people as well as, ultimately, the death that emerges in the practice of the “black-box”. The characters in this short story follow a long standing tradition from the past, which is “The Lottery” and have been doing so for quite some years. When reading the text of this story, it becomes apparent that the box itself is falling apart, yet the people still use it in fear of stepping outside of this history. In extension, the current box used for the lottery is said to have pieces …show more content…
No one thinks to question the system and its outcomes, even though that it causes such devastation to others. Even though this is tied with a tragic event, Tessie Hutchinson, as well as the other members of the town, drop what they’re doing, no questions asked, to attend the drawing of “The Lottery”. This is because it plays such an important role in the community. When Tessie is chosen, she tries to beg for mercy screaming “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right.” Then, Shirley writes that “they were upon her. (Par. 79)” No matter if the stoning is fair or not, or how much Tessie begs for mercy, the people will follow tradition and stone her to death because it’s what the box has