Answer :
Final answer:
In The Lottery, Shirley Jackson narrates a chilling annual ritual where villagers draw lots, ultimately leading to a violent sacrificial act. The setting contrasts a sunny, idyllic environment with the dark tradition, symbolizing the conflict between appearance and reality. The title misleads readers into expecting a different kind of lottery, emphasizing the themes of tradition and societal violence.
Explanation:
Summary of the Basic Action
In The Lottery, author Shirley Jackson depicts an annual tradition where the residents of a small village gather on June 27th to conduct a lottery. Each head of the household draws a slip of paper from an old black box, which contains one marked paper among many blank ones. The household that draws the marked paper must then participate in a second lottery to determine who will be sacrificed. This ritual, steeped in tradition, is performed without questioning its fairness or purpose. The villagers show a disturbing acceptance of this brutal act, highlighting the story's critique of blind adherence to tradition.
Setting of the Story
The setting of The Lottery is a small rural village in America, and it appears to take place in the mid-20th century, likely around the time it was written in the late 1940s. For instance, the story describes the sunny, clear day which contrasts sharply with the grim events that unfold, indicating that life continues on the surface despite the underlying horror. Additionally, the use of an old black box for the lottery emphasizes the tradition’s long-standing, unquestioned nature.
Evidence of Tradition
Two specific pieces of evidence that show the lottery has been going on for a long time include a quote where "the lottery had been conducted as a tradition for a long time" (Jackson, page 7), and another remark that "some villagers had forgotten the original ritual and its purposes" (Jackson, page 4). This indicates not only its longevity but also the villagers’ careless attitude towards its significance.
Misleading Title
The title The Lottery is misleading because it evokes feelings of excitement and fortune typically associated with modern lotteries, rather than the grim reality of a death ritual. Jackson likely chose this title to trick the reader into expecting a conventional lottery experience, amplifying the shock of the actual outcome and prompting critical reflection on the nature of tradition and violence.
Original Purpose
The original purpose of the lottery appears to be rooted in agricultural rites, as suggested by the idea that it once ensured a good harvest. Witnesses remark on the lottery's historical relevance when they mention mentioning traditional harvest rituals (Jackson, page 2). This implies that initial belief in its purpose has been lost over time.
Beliefs About the Lottery
People believe that the lottery brings them prosperity or a sense of community and belonging, as demonstrated by their collective participation and adherence to this ritual. They think that winning, or being selected, provides a form of recognition among the other villagers.
Symbolism of Colors
The color black represents death and ominous tradition throughout the story, as seen with the old black box that holds the lottery slips. Conversely, sunlight is described to reflect a vivid atmosphere, juxtaposing the town's seemingly cheerful facade with the dark undertones of the lottery process, enhancing the story's thematic complexity.
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