Shirley Ardell Mason

Jackson and Tradition Change is the only thing that is guaranteed to be constant, but many people are afraid of it. The idea of something new is somewhat intimidating, especially if one does not try to understand it. In Shirley Jackson’s the lottery she shows how people are persecuted for factors that are simply out of their own control. It is this last behavior, the need to feel a part of the gruesomeness that exists in American society, that Jackson so skillfully depicts in “The…

Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and the film Bella tell very different stories, yet they both create a moving storyline for their audiences. “The Lottery” presents an entertaining story with a jolting twist while Bella reveals life-changing situations. Extensively elaborating on the literary elements setting, point of view, and symbolism both the short story and the film convey profound details that enhance the overall meaning of the story being told. The settings in “The Lottery” and Bella…

Symbolism and Tradition The short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, takes place in a small town that has strong traditional values. Jackson conceals the darkness behind the lottery, by using symbolization and characterization. It is not until very close to the end of the story that the story comes full circle and readers find the true significance behind the lottery. Shirley Jackson utilizes symbolism and subtle element to demonstrate the standardized demonstrations of the characters,…

dangerous especially due to the inherent evil of human nature. This way of thinking is very clear in the short story, “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Humans are extremely capable of committing violent acts when they are accepted by society and practiced by tradition. Being this story was written in the post-World War II era, this event was still fresh in Shirley Jacksons mind in the composition of this story. “The Lottery” is describing the human evil that exists in the ordinary, normal…

Incidents of Irony in the “The Lottery” “The Lottery” what an oddly amusing title selection for the short story by Shirley Jackson. Many instances occur that contradict with what the reader thinks is happening and what actually happens, this keeps the reader guessing throughout the whole story. The term irony describes these occurrences exceptionally well. Throughout the story Jackson gradually reveals the underlying meaning of something much darker than one may imagine beginning with the title:…

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, is a story about an annual lottery taking place in a small town in New England. Every year the lottery is held, where the winner of the random lottery is then stoned to death. This lottery has been a long held tradition in this small town and it is a tradition that everyone must take part in. The man in charge of the lottery drawing, Mr. Summers, call each head of household forward to a black box, where they must select a small piece of paper. After the men have…

Bloom, Harold, ed. "Bobby Martin, Harry Jones, and Dickie Delacroix." Shirley Jackson, Bloom 's Major Short Story Writers. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 2001. Bloom 's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 23 Apr. 2016 Bloom’s article on “the lottery” provides an insight on the key issues of foreshadowing that is soon take place within the short story. Bloom gives information on Bobby Martin, Harry Jones, and Dickie Delacroix and how their actions are key to predicting what is soon to…

“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is a short story about a village that conducts an annual lottery that brings their community together. Although the beginning of the story is described as a typical day, the ending of the story is violent and gruesome. Everyone in the village participates in the lottery and it is viewed as something sacred. The story begins by Jackson providing specific details about the time and setting of the story. She states “The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny” and…

Throughout the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, the novella Chronical of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the theme of chance and fate is shown to be an important element in many of the events that unfold within the stories. “The Lottery” shows a distinct focus on chance, while Chronical of a Death Foretold and Oedipus Rex focus on fate. There are differences shown to arise in the literature through these two concepts, however there…

gathering the rocks to throw at the winner. Shirley Jackson turns everyone in the story into a cold hearted killer. The children are the symbol of innocence. They supposed to have the great memories of their childhood with their friends and families. They are an innocence souls and minds that just know how to dream. Shirley Jackson kills the symbol of innocence by turning the children into a deadly killer. They do not have any regret or sympathy toward the…