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Jackson examines the basics of human nature in “The Lottery,” asking whether or not all humans are capable of violence and cruelty, and exploring how those natural inclinations can be masked, directed, or emphasized by the structure of society.
- The Power of Tradition
The original paraphernalia for the lottery had been lost...
- Dystopian Society and Conformity
Jackson thus meditates on human cruelty—especially when it...
- Family Structure and Gender Roles
Jackson also critiques such a homogenous social structure...
- Human Nature
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The...
- Characters
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. Upgrade to A + Download this...
- Symbols
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. Upgrade to A + Download this...
- Plot Summary
The original black box for the lottery has long since been...
- Summary & Analysis
The details of the lottery’s proceedings seem mundane, but...
- The Power of Tradition
The story explores the themes of tradition, magical thinking, morality, evil, and conformity in a village that sacrifices one person every year. Learn how Jackson challenges the readers' expectations and raises difficult questions about the nature of evil and the cost of conformity.
Everyone is seems preoccupied with a funny-looking black box, and the lottery consists of little more than handmade slips of paper. Tradition is endemic to small towns, a way to link families and generations. Jackson, however, pokes holes in the reverence that people have for tradition.
Oct 3, 2023 · "The Lottery" Theme and Meaning. Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" is one of the most famous short stories ever. It's a perfect candidate for anthologies, having a manageable length of about 3,400 words, and a shocking twist ending.
‘The Lottery’: key themes discussed. ‘The Lottery’: main symbols. But for the present, let’s start with a brief summary of the plot of the story. ‘The Lottery’: plot summary. The story takes place one morning between ten o’clock and noon on 27 June, in a village somewhere in (presumably) the USA. The year is not stated.
Aug 31, 2023 · The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Theme: Invented Traditions and Mythic Thinking In the short story, a good deal of space is devoted to the specific histories and rituals of the lottery. We learn how the ritual has altered in the years since its inception.
The main themes in “The Lottery” are the vulnerability of the individual, the importance of questioning tradition, and the relationship between civilization and violence. The...
