Rituals In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

Death by stones just does not seem so bad anymore. In the story The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson uses a chance based ritual to have a small community come together. The celebration is call a Lottery which takes two days to set up and only two hours to be finished. The celebration is the bringing of a community to come closer to become a close nit nation. The celebration brings much joy, happiness, and relaxation, so much that even some do not take it so serious. The author gives the example that some villagers even forget about the celebration. However as much joy that it brings, misery comes along with it. Out of the entire community one person is chosen, They then decide if it shall be an honor or a course. Throughout the story many characters

Their is a warm atmosphere or a welcoming feeling surrounding each person. In this small community, the people celebrate a traditional event in which, each person is involved. Residents, “ women greet one another and exchange bits of gossip as they went to join their husbands. Soon women, standing by their husbands, began to call to their children, they came reluctantly.” There is a sense of excitement, smiles, and a feeling of cheer. The lottery is all that and more, however as much joy it brings it also brings unacceptable consequences. Jackson uses the lottery as a metaphor that by sacrificing or using a tribute it will bring a good harvest to the community. Being chosen should bring honor, prestige, and immortalization to the person. Although it sounds good, no villager wants to be

For example, Tessie Hutchinson proud mother and wife has been a willing participant all her life. Tessie never disapproved nor was she ever against the lottery, until she realized that her slip was the one picked. “You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. Its wasn’t fair!” The sound of a desperate woman shouting her feeble cry. Making up excuses of why she had been picked, even though all of the villagers witnessed the drawing. Every single person in attendance who saw the drawing knew it was a legitimate drawing. Tessie Hutchinson new the repercussions, of what would happen to her if her slip was picked, but did not want to go through with them. Death by stones was her fate, something that terrified tessie, shocked, speechless, and all