“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

What is symbolism? Write a definition your own words for symbols and symbolism on your own paper.

Symbol/Symbolism A symbol is any object, person, place, or action that has both a meaning in itself and that stands for something larger than itself, such as a quality, attitude, belief, or value. NOTE: These qualities, attitudes, beliefs or values could be held/shared by a group or they could be personal and specific to just one individual.

Examples of Symbols What is the meaning of this object Examples of Symbols What is the meaning of this object? What beliefs, values, attitudes does this object represent?

What is the meaning of this person What is the meaning of this person? What beliefs, values, attitudes does this person represent?

What is the meaning of this beach What is the meaning of this beach? What beliefs, values, attitudes does this beach represent?

What is the meaning of this action What is the meaning of this action? What beliefs, values, attitudes does this action represent?

What is the meaning of this person What is the meaning of this person? What beliefs, values, attitudes does this person represent?

What is the meaning of this place What is the meaning of this place? What beliefs, values, attitudes does this place represent?

How does the concept of symbolism relate to literature? Within literary works, an author decides to have something possess symbolic meaning. Can you think of any symbols within any piece of literature you’ve read?

Irony Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. It may also be a situation that may end up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple words, it is a difference between the appearance and the reality.

Types of Irony Verbal irony is a trope (figure of speech) in which the intended meaning of a statement differs from the meaning that the words appear to express. Situational irony involves an incongruity between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more about present or future circumstances than a character in the story.

Function of Irony Ironical statements and situations in literature develop readers’ interest. Irony makes a work of literature more intriguing and forces the readers to use their imagination and comprehend the underlying meanings of the texts. Moreover, real life is full of ironical expressions and situations; therefore, the use of irony brings a work of literature closer to real life. Situational irony is often used to emphasize the assertion of a truth.

Examples of Irony The name of Britain’s biggest dog is Tiny. Fred steps in a puddle, and so you immediately laugh at him. Then you step in a puddle.

Background of Shirley Jackson Born in 1916 in San Francisco and died in 1965. Jackson is a writer of many short stories. She also wrote novels like The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle as well as the witty, embellished memoir Life Among the Savages, about her domestic experiences. Within her writing, she often relies on supernatural themes. She was known for tackling provocative, chilling subject matter that was culturally incisive and held metaphors for how people dealt with difference.

“The Lottery” First published in the magazine The New Yorker in June 1948. She wrote the story while living in a small town in Vermont. It took her only two hours to write the story. At the time of its publication, the story was considered highly controversial at the time of its writing.

Before reading… Imagine that you’ve just purchased a lottery ticket. The drawing will be held tomorrow night. Describe the feelings that you’d most likely have during the time leading up to the drawing. Have you (or someone you know) ever gone along with a group without really thinking about it? Describe the experience.

Close Reading Tasks and Questions (Setting Purpose) Examine the characters’ names and how those characters behave in the story. Make a list of the characters and characteristics for each. Examine the description of the setting. Make a list of details that reveal setting. Collect any details related to the black box. What central message do you think the author is trying to convey in this story?

After reading questions for discussion 1. How are women viewed in this village? Give examples from the story to support your answer. 2. How does the choice of character name deepen the meaning of the characters’ roles in the story? 3. How does the author’s use of selective detail about the setting in the opening of the story increase the ironic impact of the true meaning of the lottery? What kind of tone/atmosphere does the opening set? 4. What details included about the black box reveal its meaning? How do you know? 5. Why do you think Mrs. Delacroix chooses an “extra large” stone? What does the stone represent?