Fiction Essay: Social Issues In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” a seemingly quiet peaceful village has a hidden dark side. Once a year, on the 27th of June, the entire town assembles to partake in the lottery, however, instead of winning a tremendous prize the ‘winner’ gets stoned to death. An old black box is the vessel that holds the townspeople fate, and after decades of use, it has become worn and shabby. Every year Mr. Summers tried to convince the townspeople to build a new box, yet every year “the subject [is] allowed to fade off without anything’s being done. (p.237)” Tradition is very important to the villagers and even the slightest idea of changing their ways upset many of them. This single-mindedness seals Tessie Hutchinson’s
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The stoning of Tessie Hutchinson is a symbol of the place women have in the “Lottery’s” society. Mrs. Hutchinson spoke out when she believed her husband had been rushed which caused them to be selected. By doing so she showed to have a voice which was unacceptable and in turn, she was silenced forever. Every rock that they threw at her was a symbol of the male dominance in their village and how easy it was for them to tear down their women and keep them from thriving. Furthermore, the author uses imagery to reiterate the issue of segregation between the men and women. “Tessie Hutchinson was in the center of a cleared space by now, and she held her hands out desperately as the villagers moved in on her. ‘It isn’t fair,’ she said. A stone hit her on the side of the head. Old Man Warner was saying, ‘Come on, come on, everyone.’… ‘It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,’ Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her. (p.243)” The author uses this imagery to show the reader how Mrs. Hutchinson is being assaulted and torn down by the villager's actions just as the men the story belittle and look down upon their women. On the other hand, the ominous black box is a symbol of how the villagers are unable to be open to any new ideas. The black box is worn, shabby, and has been used way past its time, however, the villagers are unwilling to …show more content…
Shirley Jackson meticulously uses these methods to portray the multiple social issues that are present in their village and how they negatively affect their people. From prejudiced old men, belittled women, and disrespectful lottery conductors all of these people depict real social issues throughout today’s society across the
The stoning of Tessie Hutchinson is a symbol of the place women have in the “Lottery’s” society. Mrs. Hutchinson spoke out when she believed her husband had been rushed which caused them to be selected. By doing so she showed to have a voice which was unacceptable and in turn, she was silenced forever. Every rock that they threw at her was a symbol of the male dominance in their village and how easy it was for them to tear down their women and keep them from thriving. Furthermore, the author uses imagery to reiterate the issue of segregation between the men and women. “Tessie Hutchinson was in the center of a cleared space by now, and she held her hands out desperately as the villagers moved in on her. ‘It isn’t fair,’ she said. A stone hit her on the side of the head. Old Man Warner was saying, ‘Come on, come on, everyone.’… ‘It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,’ Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her. (p.243)” The author uses this imagery to show the reader how Mrs. Hutchinson is being assaulted and torn down by the villager's actions just as the men the story belittle and look down upon their women. On the other hand, the ominous black box is a symbol of how the villagers are unable to be open to any new ideas. The black box is worn, shabby, and has been used way past its time, however, the villagers are unwilling to …show more content…
Shirley Jackson meticulously uses these methods to portray the multiple social issues that are present in their village and how they negatively affect their people. From prejudiced old men, belittled women, and disrespectful lottery conductors all of these people depict real social issues throughout today’s society across the