Term Paper on "Lottery by Shirley Jackson"

Term Paper 3 pages (1095 words) Sources: 1

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Lottery by Shirley Jackson. Specifically, it will critically interpret and analyze the story. The main theme of Jackson's story is pure evil - the evil that can lie underneath what seems to be normal, everyday family life. She makes this evil all the more frightening by juxtaposing it with a normal and common setting, a small town square that could be anywhere in America. The commonality of the situation makes the evil all the more frightening and memorable.

There is not one particular character in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" that embodies the theme of pure evil, unless it is the unnamed person who throws the first stone at her. This barbaric custom of sacrificing someone to ensure the village sees a good harvest is truly evil, and it represents the evil that can lie underneath the most commonplace of people and things. The victim, Tessie Hutchinson is representative of that evil, not only because of her death, but because she knows what will happen on the summer morning, but she goes along with everyone else until she is the one chosen. She represents how people will go along with evil in society, just as long as it does not touch them personally. She even urges her husband to "hurry" when he chooses the slip of paper, and then complains that he was "rushed" when it is revealed he has the marked slip. The characters, all the families, represent the evil that lies underneath the quaint appearance of this village, and indicate that people and places are not always how they appear on the outside.

The setting of this story is quite relevant to the theme, because on the outside, this seems like it could be any small, rural town in America. The story opens, "The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green" (Jackson). It seems like any beautiful summer day in America, but it is not. Hidden under the friendly banter and the hint of Americana, there is something terribly wrong in this village. It is evil that they should carry out such a barbaric custom, and even more evil that no one attempts to do anything about it. In only a few short opening sentences, Jackson indicates this is a small town like many others. She writes, "The people of the village began to gather in the square, between the post office and the bank" (Jackson). This could be a 4th of July celebration, an evening band concert, or a summer picnic, but it is not. The tradition has been handed down, just like so many other traditions and customs in America. We celebrate the 4th of July with parades and fireworks. We celebrate Labor Day with picnics and camp-outs. We celebrate Christmas with family, big meals, presents, and Christmas trees. These are all traditions handed down in the country, and in families. The "lottery" is no different; it is simply a long-lost custom that people still hang on to for some reason. It is tradition. It is also evil, and it makes the reader stop and think - what else do we take for granted in society that has evil roots and implications?… READ MORE

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