An understanding, of Jackson’s life and times may serve to illuminate motive and meaning, thus yielding further appreciation of this work. Shirley Jackson was born 1919, in the time of the “Lost Generation”. While attending Syracuse University, she met Stanley Edgar Hyman, a classmate, Jewish intellectual numismatist and literary critic whom she married in 1940. With the War’s end in 1946, publication of “the Lottery” in 1948, and her marriage to a Jewish intellectual it seems likely that news of the Holocaust would have influenced her writing. In “The Lottery”, Shirley Jackson describes a situation that aside from time and location mirrors Europe under Nazi authority.
Shirley Jackson’s allegory is simultaneously operating on different levels, texturing this narrative with diverse allusions and inferences. Within this tapestry I find a confluent theme as she demonstrates how our natural aversion to violence can be overcome by nurturing the concept of authority, and creating individual interdependence, despite our natural individual independence. Jackson implies the argument that this can be made to happen to most any individual or group. Jackson’s point is we should recognize the influences of our world, so we may not become evil.
A multitude of indications in this story verify or support the natural aversion to violence. The villagers naturally distance themselves from symbols of death and violence when they exert uncorrupted independent thought. This is evident in the following sentences from “The Lottery”, “They stood together away from the pile of stones in the corner”; “The villagers kept their distance, leaving space between themselves and the stool.” When Mr. Summers asks for assistance with the black box, we r...
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...e use of Tessie as the scapegoat, Azazel, mirrors the use of the Jews as the scapegoat for problems in Germany. In “The Lottery”, the villagers have forgotten the original reason for the ritual. Once robbed of independence by the mob, manipulated by reason, coerced by authority, and conditioned to accept it, with multiple fallacious reasons, the original reason is of little practical importance. The use of fallacious propaganda was a technique extensively employed by the Nazi party. Shirley Jackson has woven a complex allegory with near endless symbolism, uniting multiple concepts. As I read this I recognize Rousseau, as the origin for some of the ideas presented. Perhaps the greatest affirmation of her skillful artwork is that so many varying suggestions as to her theme and point exist. This I believe to be her ultimate purpose, to inspire original thought.
In “The Lottery” the author uses many different types of themes to inspire the reader to feel certain emotions. Themes such as the perils of blindly sticking to outdated traditions. Traditions such as sacrificial murder in which some ancient societies believed that “Life brings death, and death recycles life” (Griffin); this shows how some readers could accept the actions depicted in this story. Yet another way of looking at it and finding a way to accept it is that it’s been said that capital punishment today is a form of ritualistic killing. But other readers may just see it as cold blooded murder in which they may be appalled that some societies could still do this in 1948 when this story was written.
Crawford, Nick. “Learning from ‘The Lottery’: How Jackson’s Story Might Help Us Rethink Tradition.” Making Literature Matter: An Anthology for Readers and Writers. Eds. John Schilb and John Clifford. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012. 877-80. Print.
Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery', is a story that is filled with symbolism. The author uses symbolism to help her represent human nature as tainted, no matter how pure one thinks of himself or herself, or how pure their environment may seem to be. The story is very effective in raising many questions about the pointless nature of humanity regarding tradition and violence. 'The Lottery' clearly expresses Jackson's feelings concerning mankind?s evil nature hiding behind traditions and rituals. She shows how coldness and lack of compassion in people can exhibit in situations regarding tradition and values. Jackson presents the theme of this short story with a major use of symbolism. Symbolism shows throughout the setting of 'The Lottery,' the objects, the peoples actions, and even in the time and the names of the lucky contestants.
Shirley Jackson?s insights and observations about society are reflected in her shocking and disturbing short story The Lottery. Jackson reveals two general attitudes in this story: first is the shocking tendency for societies to select a scapegoat and second is the idea that communities are victims of social tradition and rituals.
The Lottery is an amazing work of fiction not only because of its extraordinary twist on the concept of tradition, but for its classic irony and impeccable use of symbolism. The Lottery questions whether or not tradition should be respected for what it is or evolve to suit new generations. When asked the purpose of writing The Lottery, Shirley Jackson responded that the story was "to shock the story's readers with a graphic demonstration of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives." (237) Jackson was a true visionary as a female author who created a thought provoking and alarming story to readers in a time when tradition was still heavily weighted in society.
...instead of one of her family members. Looking at the character of Mrs. Hutchinson, one can see that there are a lot of lies inside the society. Each person in the society has a real face behind the mask. Moreover, Jackson clearly presents the danger of blindly following the tradition and the selfishness of the society. In this story, Jackson successfully portrays the life of an individual against society. Individuality stands no chance against a large group of people who follow a tradition blindly. Moreover, an individual who wants to change the society may never be successful till the end. To change the attitude of a large group of people, an individual need to be supported by a large number of people.
Have you ever been controlled by fear? This outlines that individuals would do whatever they can to stay out of fears way, it proves that they have no power whatsoever. Today I’ll be addressing this topic with reference to the set topic Hunger Games by Gary Ross and my chosen topic the cartoon ‘State School NO.1812’ by R. Cobb. These two different texts show two contrasting ideas of love and compassion over ruling fear and control; and the amount of power they have.
Shirley Jackson takes great care in creating a setting for the story, The Lottery. She gives the reader a sense of comfort and stability from the very beginning. It begins, "clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green." The setting throughout The Lottery creates a sense of peacefulness and tranquility, while portraying a typical town on a normal summer day.
"The Lottery" is a short story that shows just how disturbing the human mind can be at times. As the story proceeds it builds the reader up till the end where what you thought was going to happen did not turn out that way. But is that not how our lives are portrayed? Do we not build ourselves up to society believing what they say and do until the matter is put into our hands? Mrs. Hutchinson was a follower of society just like we are. Everyday was the same routine and every year she played the lottery just like all of the other town people. But this year would be a very different year for Mrs. Hutchinson because her chance at the lottery was about to happen. Now as a reader in this day, we would think of the lottery to be a great prize to receive but not during the days of these town people.
The story of “The Lottery” is a dark tale that gives the reader a window into a community blighted by an tradition propagated by ignorance; sending a message that reverberates with many events, ideas, and observations throughout the annals of time. Written by the great Shirley Jackson, this fable exemplifies how delusion and illogical thinking led to the terrifying and morose ending of Tessie Hutchinson's existence. Shirley Jackson was well known in her lifetime, but not necessarily as the literary master she is hailed as today. Jackson had great interest in the culture of witchcraft, and deeply incorporated this knowledge into one of her first short stories: “The Lottery.” While this influence greatly improved the haunted tone of the story, it also spawned various rumors regarding Shirley Jackson herself, being a reclusive bookish woman interested in the dark arts. However, just as the “witches” of Salem were mercilessly murdered for ambiguous reasons, so too was Tessie Hutchinson. Shirley Jackson saw the reflection of these poor souls within our very lives, and channeled their sorrowful essence into a meticulous story that is as moving as it is disturbing.
In “The Lottery”, Jackson wrote about a special tradition of a small village. June 27th was warm and sunny, and it gave the impression like nothing could possibly go wrong. Everyone knows the lottery as an exciting thing, and everybody wants to win, but this lottery is unlike any other. This lottery was actually the tradition of stoning of an innocent villager; that year it was Tessie Hutchinson. Though the horrific ending was not expected, throughout the story Jackson gave subtle hints that this was not an average lottery. Jackson foreshadowed the death of Tessie Hutchinson with stones, the black box, and the three legged stool; she showed that unquestioning support of tradition can be fatal.
Change. The first step of evolution in a society. Without change, history is bound to repeat itself. But (however?) with it we can grow to view things with a new perspective. One might wonder why humans are not more accepting of change. The answer is the fear of the unknown. In literature there are many symbols that represent how fear of change negatively impacts a society and its people. Shirley Jackson’s short story The Lottery introduces us to such a society. Every year on June 27th the lottery is held. The villagers come together, in the town square, to select one individual as the winner of the lottery. Unbeknownst to the reader, until the end of the short story, the prize the winner receives is death by stoning. The time has come again
Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery.” A Portable Anthology. Ed. Janet E. Gardner. Boston: New York: Bedford/St Martin’s, 2013. 242-249. Print.
In "The Lottery" Shirley Jackson fills her story with many literary elements to mask the evil. The story demonstrates how it is in human nature to blindly follow traditions. Even if the people have no idea why they follow.
Overall, this story tells of the loss of tradition. Three very old and sacred parts of this tradition are eliminated or changed. It's disheartening to read this story and see how a society's culture is so damaged. After more years pass, it will be surprising to know if any part of this tradition is practiced or if it all just ends. Hopefully these villagers will one day understand the true meaning of tradition and practice the lottery the way it's suppose to be practiced.