Symbolism Revealed In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

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Patti Mullins Professor Nelson Composition 1302 2 August 2011 “Lottery Symbolism Revealed” In "The Lottery," Shirley Jackson’s shocking short story seeks to caution her readers to question their own existing traditions, social rituals, and customs and to bring attention to the inhumanity prevalent in society today. The tradition of “The Lottery” in this case is similar to religious traditions because religion in most instances is passed on to children at a very early age without question and children rarely openly question their parents’ choice in that matter. In addition, the villagers in this story sacrificed a symbolic scapegoat as their means of atonement. The 300 townspeople of a small New England town gather…show more content…
Stoning always is at the hands of a crowd; and all of the village could participate freely in the ritual, from Old Man Warner to the youngest children. This lottery is a symbolic indication of the earliest type of violent human ritual. Stoning has been mentioned with reference to many different religions and was historically used to expel someone with beliefs in opposition to the rest of the community. The community collectively seeks the kill the chosen “scapegoat,” thereby validating the law itself and their authority. Another example of Jackson's use of symbolism would be the names of the townspeople. Mr. Summer's name represents the irony in the story because summer is thought to be such a joyous time, but he himself is the lottery official who has presided over this shocking, deadly ritual each and every year. Mr. Summers has to be sworn in to preside over the proceeding by Mr. Graves, “Graves” indicative of the deadly events forthcoming. Perhaps Jackson sought to create balance by using both Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves to share in the ritual's responsibilities to emphasize the allegory of life and
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