The Lottery: A Literary Interpretation

Introduction

Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery absolutely has a dark tone that gives its readers a hint of its similarly dark theme. Jackson’s ability to conceal the story’s ultimate plot or conflict makes it more interesting to read and finish. She made use of different literary elements to guarantee the plot’s shocking end.

In the story, Tessie Hutchinson was stoned to death by her own family and neighbors who were convinced that she was the one chosen to be sacrificed in return for good harvest by the “lottery”. She has fallen victim to a process which was utterly illogical and selfish. Even her own family accepted this fact and contributed to her death without a trace of remorse. Her final lines in the story show how she thought of the process as unfair: “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right” (Jackson 15).

Irony of The Lottery’s Plot

            “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 187). The story starts off with a seemingly delightful tone which describes the setting of the town. It does not reveal anything dark or deathly at all. The initial description of the town does not suggest any dark theme or wickedness. Its description can actually even be considered as a common description of a small American old town. The first paragraph also introduces the term “lottery” in the town. It describes the townspeople’s gathering for the lottery. The narrative claims that the lottery “could begin at ten o’clock in the morning and still be through in time to allow the villagers to get home for noon dinner” (Jackson 187). This particular statement only tells the readers of the how much time would be spent in the lottery event but does not tell what happens during lotteries. At first, this would leave the readers the impression that the lottery can just be something of a normal and not so serious event in the town where everyone can go back home afterwards and eat their dinner.

            “The children assembled first,” (Jackson 187). This gives an impression that the lottery is quite fun for the kids. The idea that the kids are described to be leading the collection of stones indicates a fun event. This way of describing the town’s preparation for the lottery conceals the real dark nature of the event and provides an ironic tone. Describing the town to be in a bright sunny day state with kids enthusiastically stuffing stones in their pockets suggest a joyful day when in fact it is a day for murder.

The Lottery’s Point of View

The narrative is in the third person omniscient point of view which provides a complete detail of the characters’ thoughts and actions. However, Jackson did not make use of direct descriptions of what would happen later in the story therefore, it creates a rush of anticipation for the readers to find out what kind of lottery it is that oddly uses stones. The narrative also tells the story in a chronological order while squeezing in some background details of the families and the lottery from time to time. However, the narration sticks to telling the story in accordance to what the villagers can also observe. The tone of the narration also somewhat resembles the town’s seemingly indifference to the wickedness of the event. The narration indicates a natural and normal tone that does not convey any emotions or negative feelings at all. It is narrated in a way that it does not seem to look at the event to be completely dismal or depressing therefore creating a tone much darker in the story.

The Lottery’s Theme Interpretation

            The town’s annual lottery represents the past traditional American towns which rely largely in superstitious beliefs. The belief is too irrational that the villagers depend on the “ability” of the black box to choose the person who is to be sacrificed in exchange for good harvest. Jackson’s story reminds its readers of the shortcomings of traditional beliefs in an American setting which is quite common in the past centuries.

Furthermore, the portrayal of the characters in the story somewhat represent what is happening in our society today. Probably, it does not symbolize the world as a whole but rather, the people occupying it. Nowadays, many people believe in the efficiency of utilitarianism and consequentialism as bases for one’s happiness. If one will thoroughly analyze the stories, their environment and society’s concern is all about the benefits for the greater good. By means of sacrificing one, more people can get to attain more good things in life. They believe that no matter how evil the initial act is, the consequence is what’s important.

Conclusion

            Clearly, The Lottery is not a fairy tale but it does contain a moral lesson that shows the wickedness of a selfish act. In order for a reader to completely analyze a story of this kind, it is important to interpret all of its literary aspects to come up with a good realization from the story.

Works Cited

Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery.” The American Fantasy Tradition. Ed. Brian M. Thomsen

Macmillan, 2003. 187-193.

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