STEM 2-A EAPP

The Lottery
By: Shirley Jackson
Short Story
Theme: The Lottery a story of many serious social implications
After I read the story I was surprised by how twisted and sick it really was. For me, this story
stands out as caution of what can people blindly follow along with an idea or concept because it
has always been done that way. It may be called cowardice and going with the flow because it
is the path of least resistance. It can also be called ignorance because no one is giving thought
to consequences nor how they would feel if they were the ultimate winner.
On June 27th, with the fresh warmth of a summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely
and the grass was richly green. The residents of a small village gather in the town square to
conduct the lottery. Mr. Summers the officiant of the lottery set the black box into the center of
the square. Mr. Graves, the postmaster brings a stool for the black box. Mr. Summers conducts
a quick roll call. Clyde Dunbar is at home with a broken leg, so his wife will draw lots for him.
Similarly, the Watson boy draws for his mother. Finally, the lottery begins. Each one of the three
hundred or so residents of the village draw a piece of paper from the black box. Bill Hutchinson,
the head of his household, draws a paper with a black dot on it. A second lottery was held, this
time with only five slips of paper one each for the members of Bills family. Bills wife Tessie
draws the black dot. She protests that the drawing wasnt fair even as her neighbors begin
stoning her to death.
The story is very much plot driven rather than the more familiar character driven stories in the
mainstream today.
Be fair, certainly the villagers must believe that violence is wrong. The villagers seem rational
and peaceful enough too. As part of the community, has helped stone to death previous lottery
winners. Yet when Mrs. Hutchinsons wins the lottery, the entire community doesnt hesitate to
turn on her.
The setting is a small, nondescript town with a population of approximately three hundred people.
On a clear morning, June 27th, the townspeople, starting with the children, begin to assemble for
the lottery to begin at ten in the morning.
I do recommend this is a good story for someone who is in a situation in which either tradition or
family pressure or making them commit acts that go against their own ideals. This story is one
of the best and then this story it has something meaningful to say and its memorable. That makes
it a strong and admirable piece of writing.