The Lottery / Shirley Jackson

STUDY GUIDE

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

The Lottery

Link to story

HOTS and Bridging

Short LOTS review

Irony

Foreshadowing

Mood

Symbols

Motifs

Themes

Literary Devices

Characters

Setting

Story Breakdown

Summary

INDEX

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.

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 closes as the villagers—including her own family members—begin to throw rocks at her.

The structure of The Lottery is slightly different from other short stories

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

Climax

Bill Hutchinson gets 'it'.

Conflict / Rising Action

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

Resolution

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

Complication

Villagers gather in the square.

Exposition

Village square, between the post office and the bank

Around 10 AM - morning

June 27th - summer, vacation

Setting

Joe Summers

Old man Warner

Mr. Graves

Bill

Tessie

Click the different characters to read about them.

Main Characters

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.

Tessie Hutchinson

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.

Joe Summers

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.

Bill Hutchinson

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.

Mr. Graves

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.

Old Man Warner

ThemesMotifsSymbols MoodForeshadowingIrony

Literary Devices

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

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Persecution

Luck

Tradition

Hypocrisy

Themes

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Rules

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

Family

Motifs

The three-legged stool

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

The lottery

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The black box

Symbols

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

Mood

Joe Summers

Bill Hutchinson

Mr. Graves

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

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

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

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Foreshadowing

Mrs. Delacroix

"It isn't fair!"

Mr. Summers

The setting

The Title

Expressing an opinion by using language that means the opposite.

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

Irony

Mr. Graves

Old Man Warner

Tessie

Joe Summers

Bill

Draws the black dot in the first draw.

Helps with Lottery Day

Doesn't like change.

In charge of Lottery Day

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

Very casual about Lottery Day.

"Pack of crazy fools!"

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

"Clean forgot what day it was."

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

Joe Summers

Old Man Warner

Tessie

Bill

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

HigherOrderThinkingSkills

HOTS

Language

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.

Compare & Contrast

Language

Possible patterns:1. Tessie isn't part of the community2. Rituals3. Indifference

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

Explaining Patterns

Language

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

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

Cause & Effect

Language

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

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.

Problem Solving

Language

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?

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

Uncovering Motives

Inferring

Language

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.

Distinguishing Different Perspectives

Language

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.

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?

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

John Hillcoat

Reflections and Bridging #2

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