Shirley Ardell Mason

“The Lottery,” written by Shirley Jackson, illustrates to the reader a society that heavily relies on the tradition it was established upon, even though the tradition is barbaric and senseless. Shirley Jackson illustrates to the reader how this barbaric tradition occurs by utilizing a third-person omnificent narrative, which also gives the reader insight into the history of the tradition and how societies understanding of it has changed due to the progression of time. Shirley Jackson also…

“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson presents irony throughout the story by showing the effect of how tradition can change a town, which also shows how government has control of the people. The town itself represents our country’s government and how much control they have over the people. Certain people throughout the story represent those in power in government and how power is distributed throughout a country, or in the story throughout a town. The objects that the people in the story obtain…

Similarities and differences span the passage, "Land of the Free" and the poem, "Fireworks". To begin, one similarity is the main idea that each things revolves around. This is a Fourth of July celebration. To prove this point, the poem "Fireworks" describes, "The ending celebration of this year's Fourth of July," ("Fireworks, line 6). This goes to show that it is on the Fourth of July. On the other hand, the selection, "Land of the Free" does not go out and specifically say that it is on this…

have a good harvest. Jackson uses "The Lottery" to warn people of the dangers of blindly following tradition. Using characters like Tessie, Old Man Warner, and etc. we are able to see how this tradition is hurting the community. In “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, the villagers are slowly killing themselves by blindly following their tradition. The Lottery has been going on for many years and although the villagers do not know much about its origins they try to preserve the tradition. "There…

A setting can be anything, from being a dark and stormy night, even outer space. Most of the time, the setting plays a big role in how the entire story plays out. The setting is where the entire story begins, even before the first chapter. In Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" the setting is a small town, maybe about 200 people live in this town. This setting fits the story, because the very nature of the lottery requires a small town, too many people in one place lowers the odds, and might mike…

Many people, families, and or groups of people have their own traditions that make them who they are; but what is tradition? Tradition is the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation. Being a part of tradition is something to be proud of but what if that tradition is hurting others? “Tradition was the name given to those cultural features which, in situations of change, were to be continued to be handed on, thought about, preserved and not lost (Graburn 6). Tradition as a…

In her short story, “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson describes a small town’s obedience to tradition as villagers gather to determine which one of them will become that year’s human sacrifice. The lottery (considered a civic community event) takes place in the village square, in the corner of which is a pile of stones. As the villagers gather, the adults avoid the pile, but the young boys play near it, taking small stones to fill their pockets. The trappings of the lottery are described in detail…

The Lottery. Why do good people make bad choices? “The Lottery” is something that you wouldn’t expect to happen. In the lottery, some people really didn’t want to continue doing it. Some people only care about themselves during the lottery. Did people of the village know that the lottery was bad? People didn’t want to continue the lottery. People of the village wondered why they had to continue the lottery while other villages quit doing it. People of the village didn’t want to vote,…

Dickinson Much Madness is divinest Sense - To a discerning Eye - Much Sense - the starkest Madness - ’Tis the Majority In this, as all, prevail - Assent - and you are sane - Demur - you’re straightway dangerous - And handled with a Chain - In Shirley Jackson’s intriguing short story “The Lottery,” the reader witnesses the power of conformity. The residents of the town take part in a barbaric stoning ceremony simply because it is a tradition from many years past. Most of the residents, even…

American society is strongly rooted in the old traditions of its country. The nation has always been a desired destination for immigrants from countries all over the world. Consequently, the traditions practiced by the country as a whole can often be traced back to the roots of one of the many subcultures that make up American culture. One such tradition, practiced for Halloween, is the jack-o’-lantern. The jack-o’-lantern is made by hollowing the inside of a pumpkin and then carving a spooky…