The Lottery / Shirley Jackson

STUDY GUIDE

The Lottery

A comprehensive guide to the short story by Shirley Jackson by Batya Mirsky

INDEX

Summary

Motifs

Story Breakdown

Symbols

Setting

Mood

Characters

Foreshadowing

Literary Devices

Irony

Themes

Short LOTS review

HOTS and Bridging

Link to story

Summary

"The Lottery" takes place on June 27th, a beautiful summer day, in a small New England village where all the residents are gathering for their traditional annual lottery. Though the event first appears festive, we still get a feeling of unease. It soon becomes clear that no one wants to win the lottery.

Link to story

Summary - continued

Tessie Hutchinson seems unconcerned about the tradition until her family draws the dreaded mark. Then she protests that the process wasn't fair. The "winner," it turns out, will be stoned to death by the remaining residents.

Summary - ended

Despite her protests that the first draw was unfair, the town people dismiss her claims. Now, the Hutchinson family draw again and Tessie 'wins'. The story ends as the villagers—including her own family members—begin to throw rocks at her.

Exposition

Villagers gather in the square.

Conflict / Rising Action

Bill Hutchinson gets 'it'.

The Huntchinson family nervously draws from the box. Tessie 'wins'.

Complication

Tess Hutchinson 'wins' the lottery. Protests the results.

Climax

The town people ignore Tessie's protests and begin their attack.

Resolution

Setting

June 27th - summer, vacation

Around 10 AM - morning

Village square, between the post office and the bank

Main Characters

Click the different characters to read about them.

Joe Summers

Tessie

Bill

Mr. Graves

Old man Warner

Tessie Hutchinson

Like everyone, Tessie Hutchinson takes part in the lottery every year. She's very casual (isn't worried) about the lottery even saying she nearly forgot what day it is. Tessie arrives late in contrast to her neighbors who are there on time, following the traditions of the day. Tessie's attitude changes drastically when her family is chosen in the lottery. Tessie tries to say it isn't fair even though she's never said this in previous years. She keeps saying 'It isn't fair' as the village, including her own family, stone her to death.

Joe Summers

Joe is the unofficial leader of the town. He's involved in many of the town's activities. He is completely in-charge of the different aspects of the lottery. Joe is pitied by the town because he's unmarried and has no children. Despite this, Joe's described as a jovial (happy) person. However, even though his last name is light (Summers), the task he has is very heavy and dark.

Bill Hutchinson

Bill is a quiet man who is resigned to his fate. In the first draw, he gets the note with the black dot. Even though his wife, Tessie, complains of the unfairness of the situation, the Hutchinson family draws again. After his children show blank notes, Bill shows that his paper is also blank. Then, he forcefully takes Tessie's paper to show everyone that she drew the note with the black dot.

Mr. Graves

Mr. Graves is the Postmaster of the town. Even though he doesn't have any lines, he's an important character. He swears-in Joe Summers and also assists Joe with the technical aspects of the lottery. Mr. Graves also helps young Davy Hutchinson draw a note. Mr. Grave's name is ominous (gives the impression that something bad is going to happen). It foreshadows (gives a hint) that the story isn't as happy as it first sounds and will end badly.

Old Man Warner

Old Man Warner is the oldest member of the town and has participated in the lottery seventy-seven times. He represents the old ways and traditions. Old Man Warner doesn't like the idea of change. When he hears of towns which have stopped the lottery, he calls them 'crazy fools'. In his mind, discontinuing the lottery will send society back to primitive times.

Literary Devices

ThemesMotifs Symbols Mood Foreshadowing Irony

Themes

Themes are the overall message. There can be more than one.

Tradition

Persecution

Hypocrisy

Luck

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Motifs

A motif is a recurring idea throught the story. It usually helps develop the theme.

Rules

Family

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Symbols

An object, person, action or situation which hint at something else, usually, an idea.

The lottery

The black box

The three-legged stool

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Mood

The way the reader feels while reading. This can change according to the content of the story.

Hover over the different parts of the story to read more

Foreshadowing

Events or phrases at the beginning of the story that hint at what's going to happen later.

"I've got no other family except the kids."

Bill Hutchinson

Mr. Graves

"Thought we would have to get on without you."

Joe Summers

Click the different items to read more

Irony

Expressing an opinion by using language that means the opposite.

The Title

Mrs. Delacroix

Mr. Summers

"It isn't fair!"

The setting

Click the different items to read more.There are more examples. These are just a few.

Who is it? Drag the description to the correct person.

Old Man Warner

Mr. Graves

Bill

Joe Summers

Tessie

Draws the black dot in the first draw.

Doesn't like change.

Very casual about Lottery Day.

In charge of Lottery Day

Helps with Lottery Day

Who said it? Drag the quote to box next to the person who said it.

"Clean forgot what day it was."

Bill

Joe Summers

"Thought we were going to have to get on without you."

"Pack of crazy fools!"

Old Man Warner

Tessie

"I've got no other family except the kids."

HOTS

HigherOrder Thinking Skills

Compare & Contrast

1. Two characters
2. First and second lottery draw
3. Tessie's arrival vs. Tessie's departure
4. Bill's reaction to the lottery and Tessie's reaction.

Language

Explaining Patterns

Find a pattern in the story and explain how it runs throughout the story.

Possible patterns:1. Tessie isn't part of the community 2. Rituals 3. Indifference

Language

Cause & Effect

Show and discuss how an event, action or saying of one of the characters caused something else to happen.

Examples: 1. What is the cause and effect of the lottery itself? 2. Tessie arriving late

Language

Problem Solving

Show a problem or dilemma in the story. Find the solution in the text, or suggest your own solution. However it must agree with the story. Your solution cannot be out of character.

Example of a dilemma: How did Tess offer up her own daughter to be killed again?

Language

Uncovering Motives

Choose a character. Explain why they behave in a certain way and bring proof from the story.

Examples: 1. Why is Old Man Warner against canceling the lottery? 2. Why is Bill so resigned after the first draw and doesn't protest like his wife, Tess?

Language

Inferring

Perhaps the most common HOTS. Draw conclusions (that are not clearly written) about one of the characters, their behavior, etc. Provide proof from the story.

Language

Distinguishing Different Perspectives

Discuss two differing characters' points of view and compare them. Explain how the two points of view contribute to understanding the story and its message.

Language

Reflections and Bridging

• The Lottery vs. The Hunger Games / Squid Game

• The story was published in 1948, post WWII in the United States. What was Jackson trying to say about society at that time?

• Consider the loyalty we have on social media. If we hear something about a celebrity (or even a friend), do we immediately rally against them?

Reflections and Bridging #2

"There is a capacity for violence we all harbour, and under certain circumstances, it comes out."

John Hillcoat

How does this quote relate to the story? Do you agree with this quote? Why or why not?