The Victim
Including news on a few of the elements of literature.
Main Idea
Shirley Jackson's short story " 'The Lottery' " portrays a village following a superstitious tradition. Every year on the day of June 27th all the people participate in a random drawing, known as a lottery. This isn't your normal lottery. What if I said you are a sacrifice? The people in this village sacrifice a citizen every year for the sake of crops. It is said that " 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.' "
Main Characters
Mr. Summers is the keeper of the black, wooden, shabby box. The box holds a piece of paper for every life in the village.
Irony
Another example of irony in " 'The Lottery' " is that they sacrifice a person for the sake of another's life. Which this example isn't really that uncommon once you make some of the major, historical word connections. For example, abolitionist John Brown murdered five people to make a point about the freedom of slaves. He thought it was better for a couple to have death at their door, than millions of people who would rather die than be imprisoned any longer.
Symbolism
In the box, there is one slip of paper that stands out from the rest. This piece of paper has a black mark made with a heavy pencil from the coal company office. The black marking represents death.
The black, wooden, shabby, faded, splintered, stained box represents God and how your life is in it's hands. The box also represents fate. It is a life or death matter.
The Big Question?
What do you expect?
Death is inevitable!
Theme
- Person vs. Nature is one of the major themes because Fate is working against Tessie Hutchinson. Fate is working against a villager every year on the day of June 27th.
- We all know death is coming; the only questions are : When? Why? How? This is a major theme because every one dies but no one is powerful enough to decide their fate. No one wants to die. Everyone wants to fulfill their life intentions.
- Sacrifice because sometimes in life you have to give your life for the sake of another. For example, bodyguards risk their life for the safety of the person they are protecting.