1. Symbolism, Irony, Vocabulary
“The Lottery”

2. Symbolism & Irony in The Lottery
Students will identify examples of figurative language by citing textual evidence of symbolism within The Lottery.

3. Bellwork
Complete the plotline graph for The Lottery.

4. Formative
2. The piles of stones collected by the boys is an example of…
Symbolism
Foreshadowing
Irony
3. The lottery is conducted by…
Mr. Summers
Mrs. Graves
Mr. Hutchinson
The morning of the lottery is…
Gray and foggy
Very hot and humid
Warm and sunny
6. While waiting for the lottery to begin, the townspeople…
Quietly talk and joke.
Cry and pray.
Stay silent
5. The winner’s last words are:
“I will get my revenge.”
“I always knew it would be me.”
“It isn’t fair, it isn’t right.”
4. Mrs. Hutchinson’s late arrival is an example of…
Symbolism
Foreshadowing
Irony

5. The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Symbolism
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

6. Symbolism – I do
Mrs. Delacroix:
Representation: The family name of Delacroix in French means “of the cross.”
Explanation: Mrs. Delacroix was one of the least Christian townspeople since she picks up the biggest stone to throw at Tessie.

7. The Three- Legged Stool:
Symbolism – I do
The Three- Legged Stool:
Representation: The three-legged stool is symbolic of the trinity – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
When someone dies these are last rites the priest does over their body.
When you are paying your last respects to someone at a wake, you perform the holy trinity.
Explanation: The stool is symbolic for the funeral the town will soon behaving for the winner of the lottery.

8. Symbolism – We do The Black Box
Representation: The color black symbolizes death.
The black box is closed symbolizing whoever is chosen will be closed in by the crowd.
The box is old; the paint is peeling, and the wood is splintered. This condition reflects the fading tradition in other villages as well as the villager’s questioning the lottery in this village.
Explanation: The black box shows the fate of o ne of the villagers. One of them will die by winning the lottery.

9. Symbolism – You do The Lottery
Representation: The lottery represents any action, behavior, or idea that is passed down to the next generation and followed unquestioningly, no matter how illogical or cruel.
The citizens claim to be loyal to the lottery despite the fact that many parts of the lottery have changed or faded away.
Explanation: The residents in the story blindly continue the tradition and refuse to question the morality of it, out of fear.

10. Symbolism – You do
Old Man Warner
Representation: He warns the townspeople of the danger of dropping the lottery.
Explanation: His serious tone and strict follow of the tradition symbolizes the safety of mob mentality, which explains how he has been spared 77 times.

11. Symbolism – I do Joe Summers
Representation: Summer, as in the season, represents happiness, a fresh start, and change.
Joe Summers represents these things, as well, in the beginning of the story.
Explanation: He gets along with everyone so he was chosen to be the official of the lottery.
The Irony is that he doesn’t really represent happiness because he is the official of the death ceremony.

12. Representation: Graves denotes death.
Symbolism – I do
Mr. Graves
Representation: Graves denotes death.
Explanation: Mr. Graves helps Mr. Summers officiate the lottery, aka “death ceremony”.
This is not only symbolism but a foreshadowing of what was to come.

13. Irony
Verbal Irony: Irony in which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning.

14. Irony Explain how the following quotes are examples of verbal irony.
“Get up there Bill.” This is what Tessie yells when it’s her husband’s turn to draw from the box; yet, when Tessie finds out her family drew the black dot she claims Bill wasn’t given enough time.
When Old Man Warner finds out that other towns have stopped holding the lottery, he states, “Next thing you know, they’ll be wanting to go back to living in caves.”

15. Vocabulary Answers F G B J I C D H E A
Match each term to the correct definition.
On your quiz, be prepared to use the correct word in a sentence.
Answers F G B J I C D H E A

16. The Lottery Choose one slip from the black box.
Do not look at it until everyone has slip.

17. Review Answer 6 out of the 8 critical response questions.
You may work solo or with a partner.
Answer questions as complete as possible for your own benefit with the quiz.