Lottery Essay

"Conflict and Controversy in the Lottery"

Shirley Jackson wrote "The Lottery" as a very intriguing yet horrifying short story. This story is very well known due to the village’s annual tradition. The title makes the story come off as it will be a fortunate event because "lottery" usually comes across as "money".   Unfortunately, in this story, the title doesn't mean what it typically does. There isn't any money involved. The tradition the village faces is actually extremely controversial. In particular, the conflict of the story can be seen in the difference between Old Man Warner and Tessie Hutchinson.
The lottery happens only once a year and takes place in the village. It takes place every year on June 27th. All of the people of the village gather on this day in the middle of the square for the drawing of the papers inside the hat. To the townspeople, this event is such a common and usual thing for them that it’s just an ordinary day to them; they don't make it a big deal.
Mr. Summers is the head of the lottery and he has to gather the names of everyone living in each household so he can write their names on papers so they will be included in the drawing. He has to mix and rearrange the papers up with the one with the black dot on it in the box. The head of the household is always the one whom picks the paper from the box to see if their family drew the dot or not. This event is not an all-day thing. The losing family (the family that chose the black dot) then has to draw to decide who will lose in the household. The person who then draws the dot will get stoned to death. This sounds crazy, but it is like a ritual for all the townspeople each year.
There are many people who agree and disagree with this tradition. The older people in the town are especially accustomed to this event; therefore, it is easier for them to comprehend it. Most of the people whom disagree are the younger people of the town. The controversy of this annual event will always be...