What Is The Symbolism In The Lottery

“The Lottery” is a short story by Shirley Jackson in which villagers in a small town participate in a barbaric tradition that involves killing one of their own. The story incorporates a large amount of symbolism, both through the use of objects as well as some names. These symbols tell us a few things about why this tradition continues on, primarily because of the fear of the unknown. Although to us, the lottery seems very morally wrong, the villagers consider the lottery just another normal part of life, and they continue to practice it because they are afraid of what will happen if they stop. The black box is one of the most obvious symbols in the story. The first symbol that we can see in the black box is the color itself. Black is traditionally a color that represents death, and death is always the outcome of the lottery. Another symbol present within the black box is the fact that the black box “had been made with some pieces of the box that preceded it”
Mr. Graves is an obvious one, with the name “Grave” symbolizing that death is to come. Mr. Graves helps Mr. Summers set up for the lottery, showing that the grave of one of the villagers is not far away. Mr. Bentham is one that is not as readily apparent. He shares a name with Jeremy Bentham, an English philosopher who was the father of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is the idea that a person should do something because it brings happiness to both himself and the people around him. Although the lottery is perceived as being good for the community, somebody has to lose their life in order to help these other people, which is in stark contrast to the idea of utilitarianism. The inclusion of the name “Bentham” in the lottery is a mockery of the ideals of Jeremy Bentham, as he would have been in stark disapproval of the lottery, yet the character in the story who he shares a name with actively participates in the