The Lottery Essay Word
Alma Musvosvi
Professor Aagaard
English 102
April 15, y
Journal IV
One of the many themes Shirley Jackson portrays in “The Lottery”, is blind acceptance of sexism in society. This theme was clear shown throughout the story in the way that women were treated.
In the opening of the story, the villagers is gathered at the town square in preparation for the annual lottery. Jackson describes what the boys, girls, men and women are doing. From the beginning, women and girls take the stereotypical roles of gossiping, looking over their shoulders at the boys and following their menfolk. She starts with the subtle insight into the reality of sexism in society. As the story continues, the signs of its role in society become more evident. For example, when it is time for the lottery to start, the oldest man from each family is supposed to go up and pick a paper from the black box. When in comes time for the Dunbar’s to pick, Mrs. Dunbar announces that she will pick on behalf of her family, this deed was ordinarily for reserved for the oldest male of the family, Mr. Summers, the host, questions whether there is grown boy that can pick in place of her husband. Mr. Summers is already aware of the fact that she is the only one that can pick in place of Mr. Dunbar. The story states that he was obligated to ask. Nobody questioned why this was done or why Mrs. Dunbar was assumed to be incapable of drawing a piece of paper from a box. It has just become a formality that has been perpetuated in the name of tradition.
When Mrs. Hutchinson rushes in, almost late to the ceremony, the men refer to her as “your missus, Bill” implying that she belongs to her husband. When she states her reason for being late, she says, “Wouldn't have me leave m'dishes in the sink, now, would you Joe” (186)? Her duties as a women come before her duties as a member of society. In fact, everybody laughed as she said that. When it finally comes time to see who won the lottery, the Hutchinson family is
Professor Aagaard
English 102
April 15, y
Journal IV
One of the many themes Shirley Jackson portrays in “The Lottery”, is blind acceptance of sexism in society. This theme was clear shown throughout the story in the way that women were treated.
In the opening of the story, the villagers is gathered at the town square in preparation for the annual lottery. Jackson describes what the boys, girls, men and women are doing. From the beginning, women and girls take the stereotypical roles of gossiping, looking over their shoulders at the boys and following their menfolk. She starts with the subtle insight into the reality of sexism in society. As the story continues, the signs of its role in society become more evident. For example, when it is time for the lottery to start, the oldest man from each family is supposed to go up and pick a paper from the black box. When in comes time for the Dunbar’s to pick, Mrs. Dunbar announces that she will pick on behalf of her family, this deed was ordinarily for reserved for the oldest male of the family, Mr. Summers, the host, questions whether there is grown boy that can pick in place of her husband. Mr. Summers is already aware of the fact that she is the only one that can pick in place of Mr. Dunbar. The story states that he was obligated to ask. Nobody questioned why this was done or why Mrs. Dunbar was assumed to be incapable of drawing a piece of paper from a box. It has just become a formality that has been perpetuated in the name of tradition.
When Mrs. Hutchinson rushes in, almost late to the ceremony, the men refer to her as “your missus, Bill” implying that she belongs to her husband. When she states her reason for being late, she says, “Wouldn't have me leave m'dishes in the sink, now, would you Joe” (186)? Her duties as a women come before her duties as a member of society. In fact, everybody laughed as she said that. When it finally comes time to see who won the lottery, the Hutchinson family is