The Lottery

Allison Lee Green
Professor Marissa McNamara
English 1102
14 February 2013
Mindless Tradition
“The Lottery” (1948) by Shirley Jackson has provoked controversy and condemnation since its release. The short story takes place in a village where tradition is vital. The lottery is an annual event in which one individual is chosen by random to be viciously stoned by family and friends. All town members practice the ritual. The short story portrays how human nature engages in behaviors mindlessly. “The lottery was conducted—as were the square dances, the teen-age club, the Halloween program…” (p. 243). Jackson’s tone is ironic because the dictation among the villagers is friendly. Additionally, the manifestation of the lottery is similar to celebratory events such as square dances and Halloween. This illustrates the lottery as an accepted, festive event. It is expected that the lottery winner is going to receive a prize or something of that manner. However, it is implied that the winner’s fate is very grim. Prior to the lottery, Jackson describes the social atmosphere, “Soon the women… began to call their children, and the children came reluctantly, having to be called four or five times” (p. 243). This is foreshadowing of the dark future that is to come. This seemingly jovial town performs a horrendous event for many years, not a single individual protesting, or any questions asked. It seems as though the main purpose is to carry on the ritual. However, the townspeople show signs of anxiety concerning the ritual. Small comments such as “Don’t be nervous, Jack” indicate that the people are not completely comfortable with the tradition (p. 247). Furthermore, not one expresses fear or repugnance concerning the lottery, only signs of eagerness and zeal. Alternatively, they sacrifice their morals and personal principles, becoming mindless. This suggests that individuals are not strong enough to confront their disapproval or the fear of being rejected by society. Mr. Summers never replaces the black box just like the villagers never stand up for their beliefs; “Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset tradition as was represented by the black box” (p. 243). Although Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” was written many years ago, the message concerning human nature still holds true today. Just like the villagers became mindless while participating in the horrible event of stoning Mrs. Hutchinson to death, individuals continue to engage in behaviors thoughtlessly today. Tradition can be dangerous, because with it, come mindless followers. Jackson says, “Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones” (p. 249). Tradition has become a diluted word itself, a mere explanation used by some to justify being unaware of the purpose or meaning in what they participate in. In Amy Griffin’s literary criticism of “The Lottery” she explains, “at one point in the village’s history, the lottery represented a grave experience, and all who participated understood the profound meaning of the tradition.” Furthermore, she rationalizes that the ritual used to be necessary and spiritual for proper crop growth, believing that the practice was an “archetype to build on man’s inherent need for such ritual” (Griffin). Moreover, A.R. Coulthard, author of literary criticism of “The Lottery” says, “It is not an assault on mindless, cultural conformity. It is a grim, even nihilistic, parable of the evil inherent in human nature.” However, Coulthard also says “the story seems such a transparent attack on blind obedience to tradition that little or no exegesis is necessary…” So why do the townspeople cohere to a ritual when they no longer find meaning in the tradition? Old Man Warner explains, “There’s always been a lottery” (p.246). These villagers are clinging to a tradition without a clear, justifiable purpose. The townspeople feel compelled to prolong this disturbing tradition, just as people today take part in ritualistic practices. Even simple gestures such as shaking hands or saying “Bless You” when one sneezes, no one seems to question why. Correspondingly, holidays such as Halloween, which is mentioned in Jackson’s short story, is practiced every October, but does anyone truly recognize it’s ancient roots and reasons for practicing it? Coulthard makes a valid point when stating “it is not that the ancient custom of human sacrifice makes the villagers behave cruelly, but that their thinly veiled cruelty keeps the custom alive.” Considering the fact that one of them will die shortly, there does not seem to be an abundance of signs of distress. This may be because the villagers have been brainwashed in a sense.
The truth of the lottery is not unveiled until the end. The reader may question why it was described as a “civic activity” (p. 243) in the beginning of the passage. However, it is made clear that the lottery is very gruesome. Although the short story may be seem irrelevant because civilized people do not engage in lotteries as grim as Jackson’s, society is attracted to violence and tends to embrace, even meaningless, tradition, illustrating a profound message about a human’s need for both ritual and acceptance.

Griffin, Amy A. "Jackson's The Lottery." Explicator 58.1 (1999): 44. Academic Search
Complete. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.
Coulthard, A.R. "Jackson's The Lottery." Explicator 48.3 (1990): 226. Academic Search
Complete. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.