A lottery is a game of chance in which participants purchase tickets and receive a prize based on the outcome of a random drawing. Lotteries are often used to raise money for public projects, such as building schools or paving roads. They can also be used to award prizes to sports teams, businesses, or individuals. While lottery games have been criticized as addictive forms of gambling, they can also raise large amounts of money for good causes. The odds of winning a lottery vary widely, depending on the price of the ticket and the size of the prize.
The first thing to do when writing a literary analysis essay on Lottery is to understand the historical and social context in which Shirley Jackson wrote it. This will help to identify themes and symbols in the story that would not be as obvious otherwise. Jackson published the story in 1948, shortly after World War II, in a society still reeling from the atrocities committed during that conflict.
While reading, consider the way in which Jackson portrays the village in which the story takes place. Her use of description is intended to convey a sense of tranquility and community harmony. The fact that the story takes place in a town square further reinforces this idea. Despite the idyllic setting, the story ultimately proves to be horrific.
The story reveals the hidden darkness that lurks behind the surface of seemingly ordinary people and places. It is important to examine the way in which Jackson utilizes Tessie Hutchinson, an average member of the community, to illustrate this point. The exploitation of Tessie underscores the dangers of blind conformity to tradition, even when that tradition is harmful or wrong.
The lottery in this story serves as a stark reminder that harmful traditions can exist in any society and be perpetuated by any individual. Whether they are ignorant of the consequences or just follow the crowd, people can easily become indifferent to violence and cruelty. This is a dangerous trend that we must be alert to in our daily lives. The current mass incarceration of African Americans and the profiling of Muslims after 9/11 are just two examples of this tendency to ignore injustice and cruelty. Tessie’s plight is a reminder that we must remain vigilant and refuse to accept the status quo. We must constantly question the beliefs and customs that we hold dear and never be afraid to speak out against those that are inhumane or oppressive. Only then can we hope to live in a peaceful world.