Introduction
The short story The Lottery is one of Shirley Jackson’s most famous works. Its concept revolves around an annual draw in a small village. Although the lottery is usually associated with a winner getting a grand prize, in the story, it is a process of selecting a victim for a ritual. Every year, the “winner” is stoned to death by their family and neighbors to ensure the village’s well-being. The author raises questions about whether it is acceptable to blindly follow tradition, the necessity of breaking away from it, and the effect of mob psychology on people. This essay aims to discuss and analyze the story’s main themes and imagery and language that support those themes.
The Themes and Intent of the Story
The central theme of the short story is traditions and whether following them is morally right. From the text, it is clear that the deathly lottery has been held in the village for many generations. Although stoning someone to death is disturbing for the readers, it is almost mundane for the story’s characters. Tessie Hutchinson even admits to forgetting about the lottery happening that day (Jackson). The tradition is normalized and holds incredible power over the villagers. It can be argued that murder on any other day would be met with condemnation from the townsfolk, and the perpetrator would be punished by law. However, as a part of a ritual, it is not criticized but celebrated. The idea of breaking away from the tradition is dismissed as Old Man Warner states that “there’s always been a lottery” and that it affects the well-being of the village (Jackson). There is no explicit explanation for the lottery given by other characters. For them, it is merely something that has always taken place, and none of the villagers show any intention to stop it even when the members of their family are concerned.
The danger of mob mentality is another significant theme in the short story. This mentality makes people do things they never knew they could do. If every villager takes part in the ritualized murder, everyone is equally guilty and responsible, and, at the same time, all is absolved of that crime. There is no protest from the villagers as their cruelty is justified by tradition and complete participation. The lottery takes place in the village square, where it is easy to conform to the group’s mood, with the mob mentality taking over everyone present. Furthermore, no one is released from participation, with even the youngest son of the victim being given small pebbles to throw at his mother (Jackson). Not even children can remain innocent in the ritual, because if they do, then those who threw stones at the victim will bear all the responsibility for it. However, for the tradition to continue and for people to feel like their actions are morally right, this cannot be allowed to happen. Thus, mob mentality helps to keep the brutal tradition alive.
Overall, The Lottery intents to show the readers that blindly following a tradition is not always the right thing. Not all the inherited rituals are harmless, and by showing the consequences of the one in the story, the author provokes the readers to think about the reasoning behind traditions. It is meant to encourage critical thinking in people and warn them about the dangers of mob mentality and following antiquated rituals.
The Imagery of the Story
The imagery used by the author in The Lottery helps support and develop the main themes of the story. White and black colors frequently occur in the story when the author describes the ritual. The pieces of paper that decide the villagers’ fate are white, with the “winning” one marked with a big black dot. The author uses the juxtaposition of the colors to show the villagers’ self-righteous position. White color is often associated with cleanliness and purity, while black can be viewed as dirty and contaminated. By staining the white paper with the black dot, the villagers mark the victim, making her a legitimate target for the ritual. The box, where pieces of paper are placed, is also black, suggesting that what is inside it may not be as innocent as may seems. It is unkempt and chipped, showing that the ritual has been going for an exceptionally long time and is antiquated. It also indicates that the only part of the ritual people care about is using the stones, as other important elements are long forgotten and abandoned.
The way children and adults interact in the story presents another powerful image that supports the theme of tradition and passing it down. The way adults treat the little son of the victim, Davy Hutchinson, is the prime example of the younger generation being taught a ritual they do not fully understand. When his family is selected, he is led by an adult to the box and willingly puts his hand in it, without realizing what the piece of paper he takes means (Jackson). Davy is too young to appreciate the tradition and doubt the adults who encourage him to further take part in it by giving him small stones to throw at his mother. Thus, the older generation teaches the younger one the tradition that they do not comprehend but, at the same time, do not question as they rely on the adults.
Language and Structure of the Story
The structure and the language used by the author also help develop the themes of the story. The composition is straightforward with the exposition set in the first few paragraphs, showing the friendly villagers gathering for the lottery. The climax is the Hutchinson family’s final drawing, and Tessie’s death serves as the resolution of the narrative. Irony and exaggeration frequently are used throughout the text of the story. The title itself is ironic as the lottery is often associated with luck and good fortune. It is reinforced in the resolution as Tessie exclaims that “it isn’t fair,” referring to an utterly random process (Jackson). The irony used in the story highlights the absurdity of the tradition and the villagers’ indifference to its consequences. Exaggeration is used primarily by Old Man Warner, who suggests that ending the lottery would be like returning to a primitive way of life (Jackson). Ironically, he believes that holding on to an outdated ritual is progressive. Overall, the author’s language helps set up the main themes and convey the lack of reason behind antiquated traditions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Lottery makes the readers question whether it is right to follow old traditions or whether it is better to break away from certain practices deemed necessary by previous generations. The text also raises the subject of the dangers of mob mentality and how it plays a pivotal role in keeping outdated rituals alive. The story’s central themes are also supported by the author’s use of irony and exaggeration throughout the text.
Work Cited
Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery.” The New Yorker, Web.