“The Lottery” By Shirley Jackson

Background Characters Setting Nameless New England village on a sunny day June 27th @ 10:00a.m. Point of View Third Person, detached Characters Mr. Summers Mr. Graves Old Man Warner Mr. Hutchinson Mrs. Hutchinson

Background Foreshadowing The gathering of stones by the children Irony The title - suggests that one of the villagers will receive a prize Irony (cont.) The sunny day – suggests that a happy event is about to take place Symbolism The Black Box & Stoning – Outdated tradition

Themes Reluctance of people to reject outdated traditions, ideas, rules, laws & practices “We have always had a lottery as far back as I can remember. I see no reason to end it.” Therefore, why change now? Society wrongfully designates scapegoats to bear the sins of the community Some believe that Tessie is stoned to death to appease forces desiring a sacrificial lamb offered in the atonement for the sins of others

Themes The wickedness of the common man/woman can be just as shocking as the heinous crime of a serious killer We become surprised to learn that the man, woman or even child next door has committed offenses so outrageous that we are left in disbelief The unexamined life is not worth living The townspeople refuse to examine their traditions & continue to take part in a barbaric ritual Following the crowd can have disastrous consequences By agreeing w/ the lottery, the people forfeit their individuality & send Tessie to her death