The Lottery: Litterary Response
Literary Response: The Lottery
The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson, is a compelling story about the human race and how it is affected by its surrounding traditions. When the 27th of June arrives, a village is overtaken by a two hour lottery, which includes the picking of stones, a black box and ends in a fight for the “winners” life.
One of the prominent themes in this story is human hypocrisy. Although most of the characters are shown through their words and actions, one particular person stands out: Mrs “Tessie” Hutchinson. At the beginning of the story, Tessie heads towards the town square, stating that she “forgot what day it was” to her neighbour Mrs. Delacroix as they both chuckled softly. Soon enough, phrases are shared between Tessie and her soon to be rivals: Thought we were going to have to get on without you, Tessie”, (Mr.Summers), “Your in time, though”, (Mrs. Delacroix). Throughout the story, Mrs. Hutchinson doesn’t seem to mind the fact that someone, close to her or not, will be stoned to death. Her attitude at the start of the lottery is calm and cheerful; Tessie is unaffecyed by what the outcome of the lottery might be, since she thinks that she wouldn't be in that situation. When it is her family's turn to pick up their lottery ticket and finds out that her husband got the "winning paper", her character completely changes. Mrs. Hutchinson starts to lash out at Mr. Summers, the lottery director, saying that "you didn't give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!". Tessie's character evolves by a simple change in the lottery: her family becoming the center of it all. She tries to find ways of getting out of this situation, like including her eldest daughter Eva and her husband Don, in her family, but, little does she know that "daughters draw with their husbands' family". Tessie continues to state that "it isn't fair" and I think we ought to start over. I tell you it wasn't fair". When each member of her family takes
The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson, is a compelling story about the human race and how it is affected by its surrounding traditions. When the 27th of June arrives, a village is overtaken by a two hour lottery, which includes the picking of stones, a black box and ends in a fight for the “winners” life.
One of the prominent themes in this story is human hypocrisy. Although most of the characters are shown through their words and actions, one particular person stands out: Mrs “Tessie” Hutchinson. At the beginning of the story, Tessie heads towards the town square, stating that she “forgot what day it was” to her neighbour Mrs. Delacroix as they both chuckled softly. Soon enough, phrases are shared between Tessie and her soon to be rivals: Thought we were going to have to get on without you, Tessie”, (Mr.Summers), “Your in time, though”, (Mrs. Delacroix). Throughout the story, Mrs. Hutchinson doesn’t seem to mind the fact that someone, close to her or not, will be stoned to death. Her attitude at the start of the lottery is calm and cheerful; Tessie is unaffecyed by what the outcome of the lottery might be, since she thinks that she wouldn't be in that situation. When it is her family's turn to pick up their lottery ticket and finds out that her husband got the "winning paper", her character completely changes. Mrs. Hutchinson starts to lash out at Mr. Summers, the lottery director, saying that "you didn't give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!". Tessie's character evolves by a simple change in the lottery: her family becoming the center of it all. She tries to find ways of getting out of this situation, like including her eldest daughter Eva and her husband Don, in her family, but, little does she know that "daughters draw with their husbands' family". Tessie continues to state that "it isn't fair" and I think we ought to start over. I tell you it wasn't fair". When each member of her family takes