Analyzing Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery'
“The Lottery” Research Paper Outline
Thesis/Essay Map Statement: Through the names of the characters used, the ritualized use of a scapegoat, and the actions of the women in “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson symbolistically foreshadowed the unforeseeable ending and portrayed the culture of rural America.
Main supporting points and minor supporting details:
I. The names of the characters symbolistically foreshadowed the unforeseeable ending and portrayed the culture of rural America. A. Mr. Summers’ name was symbolic in that the lottery took place was at the beginning of summer, yet Mr. Summers was the man in charge who followed rituals with a joking, carefree attitude. B. Mr. Graves was another man in charge, second behind Mr. Summers, …show more content…
Mr. Summers’ name was symbolic in that the lottery took place was at the beginning of summer, yet Mr. Summers was the man in charge who followed rituals with a joking, carefree attitude. Due to Mr. Summers having no children, it was justifiable that he was the in charge of the lottery. Mr. Summers “had time and energy to devote to civic duties” (118). Mr. Graves was another man in charge, second behind Mr. Summers, whose name was the symbol of the grim reaper. Thirdly, Mr. Adams name was symbolic in that he was the first man to draw from the lottery and he was the first individual to suggest change to the elderly ritual participants. “They do say … that over in the north village they’re talking of giving up the lottery” (121). The name “Adam” is symbolic in religious terms, as it was the first name in the Bible. In the Bible, Adam was also the first man to commit a sin. In the village of the lottery, changing and breaking tradition was almost looked at as a sin, as expressed by Old Man Warner. Old Man Warner’s name was symbolic in that he was the oldest member of the village, participating in the lottery tradition seventy-seven times. Old Man Warner was very set in his ways; he was very adamant in keeping the lottery and keeping tradition. Old Man Warner expressed that “there’s always been a lottery,” never questioning how or why (121). Instead, Old Man Warner accused the other villages as a “pack of young fools” (121). Tessie Hutchinson’s name was symbolic in that a Hutchinson was banished from a puritan colony, just like Tessie was banished from her family as soon as she drew the black dot in the
Thesis/Essay Map Statement: Through the names of the characters used, the ritualized use of a scapegoat, and the actions of the women in “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson symbolistically foreshadowed the unforeseeable ending and portrayed the culture of rural America.
Main supporting points and minor supporting details:
I. The names of the characters symbolistically foreshadowed the unforeseeable ending and portrayed the culture of rural America. A. Mr. Summers’ name was symbolic in that the lottery took place was at the beginning of summer, yet Mr. Summers was the man in charge who followed rituals with a joking, carefree attitude. B. Mr. Graves was another man in charge, second behind Mr. Summers, …show more content…
Mr. Summers’ name was symbolic in that the lottery took place was at the beginning of summer, yet Mr. Summers was the man in charge who followed rituals with a joking, carefree attitude. Due to Mr. Summers having no children, it was justifiable that he was the in charge of the lottery. Mr. Summers “had time and energy to devote to civic duties” (118). Mr. Graves was another man in charge, second behind Mr. Summers, whose name was the symbol of the grim reaper. Thirdly, Mr. Adams name was symbolic in that he was the first man to draw from the lottery and he was the first individual to suggest change to the elderly ritual participants. “They do say … that over in the north village they’re talking of giving up the lottery” (121). The name “Adam” is symbolic in religious terms, as it was the first name in the Bible. In the Bible, Adam was also the first man to commit a sin. In the village of the lottery, changing and breaking tradition was almost looked at as a sin, as expressed by Old Man Warner. Old Man Warner’s name was symbolic in that he was the oldest member of the village, participating in the lottery tradition seventy-seven times. Old Man Warner was very set in his ways; he was very adamant in keeping the lottery and keeping tradition. Old Man Warner expressed that “there’s always been a lottery,” never questioning how or why (121). Instead, Old Man Warner accused the other villages as a “pack of young fools” (121). Tessie Hutchinson’s name was symbolic in that a Hutchinson was banished from a puritan colony, just like Tessie was banished from her family as soon as she drew the black dot in the