Symbolism In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

In The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson she includes different symbols and themes in her story. Two themes that are mentioned throughout the story are traditions and customs along with family. The main tradition that happens in this story is The Lottery. In this tradition everyone is included, family, friends, and all villagers including the young and old. The black box and the lottery and the stones used symbols that she illustrates in the story. One of the villagers is chosen and then killed at the end of the story. In “The Lottery”, Shirley Jackson uses symbolism to illustrate the themes of tradition and customs and family, which in turn help enhance the action of the plot. The author Shirley Jackson uses themes to connect the story and relate …show more content…
One of the traditions that are mentioned in this story is the lottery. In this tradition villagers gather around Town Square but before the villagers arrive the children gather stones. “The people of the village began to gather in the square, between the post offices and the bank, around ten o’clock (1).” Mr. Summers who is in charge of the lottery arrives carrying a black wooden box filled with the names of the villagers. Mr. Summers calls all the head of the households and has each one pick a paper from the box and has them keep it hidden until everyone has taken a slip. Once the name is selected they find out that Bill Hutchinson is the person that is chosen. After they find out that it is him, Mr. Hutchinson’s family’s names are then put in the box. They then select the family names and find out that Tessie is chosen. The kids begin to throw stones and the villagers attack her. This tradition is what happens in that village and in other villages too but over time the tradition has slightly …show more content…
The first thing that is mentioned about family is that the head of the household knows them and that’s how they are chosen for the lottery. “There goes my old man.” Mrs. Delacroix said. “She held her breath while her husband went forward (26).” The head of the household gives them their recognition. Once the family is chosen they get together and have to submit their names as a family they gather together for another drawing happens which disconnects the family from each other. “And someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles (78).” The lottery causes family to turn against other family members. Once the person is chosen from the family, which was Tessie, the stones are thrown and later the family gathers and mourns for the loss of their family member. This is how Jackson shows how family plays an important role in this

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