Learn English through story level Hard 💥 The Lottery By Shirley Jackson | Improve your English

Summary

In Shirley Jackson's chilling short story, 'The Lottery,' the villagers gather for an annual ritual in a seemingly peaceful town. On a sunny June morning, townsfolk prepare for the lottery, a tradition involving the drawing of slips of paper to determine who will be sacrificed for the good of the community. As the lottery progresses, Tessie Hutchinson becomes the victim, and the villagers, including her own family, turn on her with brutal violence. The story explores themes of conformity, tradition, and the dark side of human nature.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lottery takes place on a sunny, summer day in the village, and the villagers gather in the town square to participate.
• 😀 Children are the first to arrive and engage in playful behavior, including collecting stones, which later play a significant role in the story's climax.
• 😀 The lottery ritual is conducted by Mr. Summers, a jovial man who is responsible for managing civic events in the village.
• 😀 The black wooden box used for the lottery is old, deteriorated, and has a long history that includes being passed down through generations.
• 😀 The villagers are hesitant to replace the old black box, as it represents tradition, despite its shabby condition.
• 😀 The lottery involves each head of a household drawing a slip of paper from the black box, and each family member's name is called to participate.
• 😀 Tessie Hutchinson arrives late but is immediately greeted by her husband and others, which adds a sense of community among the villagers.
• 😀 The ritual has become so ingrained in the villagers' lives that they perform it almost mechanically, with minimal questioning or reflection on its meaning.
• 😀 The outcome of the lottery results in a family member being selected, and the focus shifts to Tessie Hutchinson, who ends up drawing the marked slip.
• 😀 The ending is disturbing as Tessie Hutchinson, the chosen one, is stoned to death by the villagers, including her own family members, highlighting the blind adherence to tradition.

Q & A

What is the setting of the story 'The Lottery'?

The story is set in a small village on the morning of June 27th, a clear, sunny day with the warmth of summer. The people gather in the village square between the post office and the bank for the annual lottery.

What role does Mr. Summers play in the lottery?

Mr. Summers is the official who conducts the lottery. He organizes the event, manages the black box, and oversees the drawing process, ensuring everything runs smoothly, despite the fading traditions around it.

Why is the black box used in the lottery significant?

The black box is a symbol of tradition in the village, though it is old, worn, and in disrepair. It is said to be made from pieces of an older box, and its continued use reflects the villagers' reluctance to change their customs, even when the box itself is falling apart.

What role do the children play in the lottery?

The children initially gather in the square, playing and collecting stones. The boys create a pile of stones and guard it, which later becomes the tool for the ritualistic stoning of the lottery 'winner.'

How does Tessie Hutchinson react when her family is selected in the lottery?

Tessie Hutchinson initially laughs off her tardiness, but once her family is selected, she protests vehemently, claiming the process was unfair and that she did not have enough time to choose a paper. Her protests escalate as she is about to be stoned.

How is the lottery drawing conducted?

During the lottery, each head of a household draws a slip of paper from the black box. Once everyone has drawn, the slips are opened. The person who draws the paper with a black spot is selected to be stoned by the villagers.

What is the significance of the stones in the lottery?

The stones represent the violence and ritual of the lottery. Initially collected by the children, they are later used by the villagers to carry out the final, fatal act of stoning the person chosen by the lottery.

What does Old Man Warner represent in the story?

Old Man Warner is the oldest man in the village and represents the unwavering adherence to tradition. He expresses disdain for the idea of giving up the lottery, emphasizing that it is a long-standing practice that must continue, no matter the cost.

How do the villagers view the lottery?

The villagers view the lottery as a necessary and unquestioned tradition, despite the violence involved. They are resigned to its inevitability and participate without questioning its morality, except for Tessie Hutchinson at the very end.

What is the role of the black spot on the paper?

The black spot on the paper is the mark that designates the person who has been chosen to be stoned. It is a key element of the lottery and is what sets the victim apart from the rest of the villagers.