Examples Of Foreshadowing In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson is the author to two gruesome short stories titled, “the Lottery” and “the Possibility of Evil”. Both stories are known for their shocking turn of events and internal messages about humanity itself. Shirley Jackson has a very unique style of writing using different forms of literary devices. There are many similarities in these short stories and also many differences that contribute to the devices Shirley used in both; such as mood, foreshadowing, and imagery. A literary device that seems most distinct in her stories is foreshadowing. Foreshadowing is a hint or clue as to what will be happening in a future event. In “the Lottery”, kids could be seen collecting rocks, “...had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and other boys soon followed... selecting the smoothest and roundest stones” (the lottery 1). this small and even innocent line is a hint to the horrific occurrence that will happen later in the story that involves a static character to be blungeoned to death by stones. Another example of foreshadowing is in the very first few lines of Shirleys “the possibility of evil”, where a symbolism of ‘decieving looks’ is introduced. “Miss Strangeworth never gave away any of her roses…” (the possibility of evil 1). Roses are a symbolism of deceit; and thats why they are used to represent the main character Miss Strangeworth.
In literature, mood evokes certain feelings in readers through words and descriptions. In the beginning of the lottery, the author sets the mood for a nice, relaxing day that could even give the reader a sense of happiness. But as the story drags on the mood begins to set off a suspicious or even eerie feeling that has the reader on the edge of their seat. -quote-. Unlike the lottery, the Possibility of Evil starts with a calming and pleasant mood, but very quickly flips to one of surprise and horror. There is no build up to the suspense.