Interoperating Symbols in the Lottery

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Interoperating Symbols in The Lottery The Lottery was published in The New Yorker in June of 1948 (“’The Lottery’”). Shirley Jackson’s own agent was not fond of the story, but did her job and sent it to The New Yorker (Jackson, 269). The New Yorker’s fiction editor found the short story both puzzling and intriguing (Jackson, 269). He decided to print it with one little change (Jackson, 263). He wanted to change part of the setting of the story (Jackson, 269). He wanted to change the date that the story took place to the day that the short story would be printed (Jackson, 269). Jackson allowed the change (Jackson, 263). Jackson was excited for her story to be published (Jackson, 269). She was flattered when a friend told her how much of a stir was created in his office, but soon cruel letters started coming in. She received letters from people who were “gullible, rude, frequently illiterate and horridly afraid of being laughed at (Jackson, 271) As time progressed an article was printed in the San Francisco Chronicle pleading for an answer of what the story meant (Jackson, 270). The cruelty transformed into admiration. Soon there were plays, movies, and ballets made about the story (Jackson, 271). The letter’s tone changed to one of respect and bemusement, much like the attitude of the New Yorkers’s fiction editor (Jackson, 271). In Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery she conveys the literary device of symbolism on certain objects (Jackson, 262). In the short story The Lottery by Shirley Jackson a village is gathering for an event (Jackson, 263). It is not very clear of the event that they are gathering for, but everyone seems cheerful and happy to see each other (Jackson, 263). The community appears to be close-knit (Jackson, 263). There is much small talk amongst the people as everyone arrives (Jackson, 263). The little school boys are gathering stones and putting them

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