What Does The Black Box Symbolize In The Lottery

Jackson’s use of symbolism throughout the story is a key element to expressing the idea of practicing outdated traditions in modern society.The lottery highlights the ignorance that is carried through the practice of old traditions, specifically human sacrifice. As the plot revolves around a town who is too stubborn to let go of the “lottery” the towns people use the black box as a physical representation of the lottery to carry out the deed. The black box signifies the central theme of traditions and its rituals associated with the sacrifice . The black box becomes a physical manifestation to the townspeople to continue the ritual while the participate blindly and becoming oblivious.

Jackson’s uses specific colors such as black to signify the death and absoluteness the box carries. The black box is the main figure to carry out all the “evil acts” as it decides the fate of the town peoples, the box chooses its victims through a lottery. The irony of the “lottery” is that it has no good outcomes and is choosing the fate of life randomly. The townspeople don't dare to question the origin of the black box and instead accept it and continue to follow it.This is evident as we see the Hutchinson’s family crying in distress when they were chosen, although they did not question …show more content…
The old man is the main character who is most attached to the black box because he actually grew up with box when it had a useful purpose. "The black box now resting on the stool had been put into use even before Old Man Warner, the oldest man in town, was born" this is evident that old man Warner is the benchmark for carrying the tradition. Since he is the oldest man and has a conviction of the lottery to bring good fortune for the town and in a way have clear cycle for the year. He is also afraid seeing the tradition being stopped and is strongly against seeing the youth banishing the