Theme Of Symbolism In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson 's use of Symbolism in "The Lottery" Shirley Jackson 's "The Lottery", is very effective in raising many questions about the nature of humanity regarding tradition and violence. "The Lottery" clearly expresses Jackson 's feelings concerning mankind 's evil nature hiding behind traditions and rituals. As well, she shows coldness and lack of compassion in people. Jackson presents the theme of this short story with a considerable use of symbolism. It being shown everywhere in the setting of "The Lottery," the objects, the peoples actions, and even in the time and the names of the lucky contestants. Throughout Shirley Jackson 's "The Lottery" there is use of symbolism and irony in correlation to foreshadowing death. Although the towns’ people are gathering for a lottery drawing, there is an air of nervousness about the event. From start to finish there is an …show more content…
The village 's most powerful man, the mayor, Mr. Summers, owns the largest business in town. Summers ' ironic and symbolic name suggests that he becomes a man of leisure through his wealth; however, it also represents the town starting off with a beautiful sunny day as his name is correlated to one of the more delightful seasons out of the year. But as the reader is introduced to more characters, one learns of more symbolism. Mr. Graves is the village 's second most powerful government official, the postmaster. His name suggests the gravity of officials. Mr. Graves ' name shows the reader how the setting of the story goes from a sunny day, to one that leads to the death of a town member. Contrasting to that, Mr. Adams is a town member who is of the first to throw the stones at Mrs. Hutchinson. Depicting a biblical reference to Adam and Eve. His name represents the first of whom should 've saved the town from the lottery, but instead he is the first to support