The black box represented old traditions in the community. The old black box represents the tradition of the lottery and the invalidity of the villagers’ loyalty to it. The black box is basically falling apart, is barely even black anymore after years of use and storage, but the villagers are against to replace it. They base their attachment to the box on nothing more than a story that claims that this black box was made from an
Summers said. She hesitated for a minute, looking around defiantly, and then set her lips and went up to the box. She snatched a paper out and held it behind her.”(300) Though Tessie did not want to draw the slip that would decide her fate, she complies because it is tradition and Mr. Summers. Tessie Hutchinson reminds me of a pouting child in the above quote, if she was truly rebelling against the lottery she wouldn’t have drawn a slip, and she abides by the authority of Mr. Summers. In conclusion, Tessie Hutchinson adheres to the tradition of the lottery by coming to the lottery, cheering her husband on while he draws, and even drawing her slip of paper.
For example there was a story that the present box had been made with some pieces of the box that had preceded it, Mr. summers was also supposed to walk among the people, but years and years ago this part of the ritual had been allowed to lapse. Mr. Summers name brings an uninviting reality to the lottery because the winner gets stoned. On the other hand, Mr. Summers has a delightful name, which also matches his description as "a round-faced, jovial man". Mr. Summers is the mayor of the town and also runs the most successful business the coal company. When one thinks of summer one generally thinks of pleasantness and happiness.
As Warner puts it, "seventy-seventh year I been in the lottery.” (1217) Jackson uses Warner's own viewpoint on his continual luck to add drama to the large amount of time he has survived. One might say that Warner's luck is in connection with the fact that he has been the most obedient person and he is the only person who does not want to get rid of the lottery. Others, however, might say that it is a direct association that Warner is not being chosen in the lotteries because he is obeying tradition and he is being rewarded for doing so. When Mr. Adams tells Warner that "over in the north village they're talking of giving up the lottery,"(1217) Warner reprimands with, "pack of crazy fools, listening to the young folks, nothing's good enough for them. "(1217) Old Man Warner is usually understood to be the most symbolically evil supporter of custom, but he is simply the most sincere.
When some of the townsfolk speak of the possibly of stopping the lottery, Old Man Warner gets very angry and silences them. Since there is no “savior” of these people, the Pharisees such as Old Man Warner are able to silence those who question the tradition with no resistance. Anyone who has a basic knowledge of the Gospels would clearly be able to spot the similarities between them and “the Lottery.” Oehlschlaeger clearly saw this resemblance in the basic structure of “the Lottery”, but is quick to point out that the main difference between the Gospels and “the Lottery” is that Shirley Jackson failed to include a “savior” of the people. Without this “savior”, the townspeople are free to continue with the lottery as they please. I believe that the Gospel where Jesus prevents a woman from being stoned to death was the biggest inspiration to Shirley Jackson when writing her
Symbols of “The Lottery” We associate lotteries with good things like winning cash prizes. In The Lottery; there is a chosen one but not for the kind of end prize anyone would think but rather a sacrifice to be made and as the story goes, those in the village believe this is normal and there's nothing wrong. The lottery is operating as an allegory of village life itself: at first, it seems harmless, but then we start to wonder what's going on with all the subdued smiles and piled up stones. As the head of the family draws for the household; the choice is final; some get lucky in the drawing and not chosen while others aren’t as successful in this process. Before long, the reader is thrown into a bizarre twist that would not be revealed until the end.
Her focus in life was all about money. She remained focused on money even up to the end when her son Paul died to show her he was lucky and give her the money she desperately wanted. “The Lottery” shows how cruel people can be when it comes to traditions and bad luck. The conflict is substantial
She told Mrs. Delacroix that she “clean forgot what day it was” (Jackson 215). Mrs. Hutchinson’s whole attitude changed when she found out she was the winner of the lottery. She immediately began telling the villagers “It isn’t fair!” when she drew the paper with the black dot (Jackson 218). It was ironic how Tessie was in a good mood until her name was announced, and then her attitude quickly changed to despair. Jackson used irony when she chose the title “The Lottery”.
By showing up late and forgetting the date of the lottery, it seems as though Mrs. Hutchinson is unconcerned with the lottery and the reader gets the false impression that this event is not such a huge ordeal. In fact, Tess doesn’t even express any problems with the lottery until her family is chosen. Ironically, when she is the one picked to get sacrificed she screams, “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right” (Jackson 393). By initially conforming to a negative aspect of society without question then deciding to speak out when her own well being is in jeopardy, Tess displays a hypocritical and selfish character
His neglect is still being felt because he has her living in the past. He has caused her to find it extremely hard to deal with change. A simple example is “When the town got free postal delivery Miss Emily alone refused to let them fasten the metal numbers above her door and attach a mailbox to it” (708). Her not being able to deal with change all dates back to the neglect from her father. The free postal delivery had a harmless effect, but when it came time for Homer Barron to leave to go back North, this did not settle well with Emily.