Analysis of the Lottery

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Analysis of “The Lottery”

Occasionally an author writes a story that is not at all what the reader expects. That author develops a theme which is not at first apparent but becomes evident only as the reader progresses through the tale. A provocative example of such a story is Shirley Jackson’s work “The Lottery”. In this book she uses symbolism to reveal her perspective on the theme of irrational adherence to tradition.
The primary example of symbolism used in the story is the black box that contains the slips of paper that must be drawn by each of the villagers. The box is symbolic of the ritual of a lottery itself and much detail is provided surrounding its history, appearance, storage and condition. The author reveals that this item is symbolic of the tradition, “Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the box” (217). Additionally the box is always referred to as “the black box”, black being the customary color used to represent death. Although the box is dilapidated, the villagers are reluctant to throw it away, just like the lottery tradition. The placement of the box, essentially on a pedestal as the focus of attention, “and the stool was put in the center of the square and Mr. Summers set the black box down on it” (217) symbolizes the importance placed by the villagers on the custom of the lottery. The black spot, which would appear on the unfortunate lottery winner’s slip of paper, in this story represents, both literally and symbolically, death. The actual event of the drawing of the lottery itself is a symbol of a tradition which is accepted and followed blindly and without question. Each of these examples represents the author’s adeptness in the use of symbolism in her writing.
Although Ms. Jackson reveals her theme slowly in this tale, it does

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