Thematic Analysis – “The Lottery” Have you ever wondered why your parents made up the story of Santa when we were little? We have a bunch of traditions that we never really question or think why they are there. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is a short story that is a perfect example of people not thinking of traditions. The short story is about a community who sacrifices a member of the community, picked by a draw, in belief they will have a good harvest. The theme of “The Lottery” is society’s resistance to change.
Throw out those silly perceptions of Neanderthals bonking each other on the heads with clubs because according to Natalie Angier in her article Furs for Evening, But Cloth Was the Stone Age Standby, “researchers have found evidence that the women of the Paleolithic era were far more accomplished, economically powerful, and sartorially gifted than previously believed.” That goes to men and women both! Probably during the Neolithic era, men became the dominant sex. So why did the status of women drop? Whenever plowing was introduced and in societies where many animals were kept rather than hunted, women were seen as less significant. The new agricultural methods were probably far too vigorous for women, especially those that were pregnant or with small children.
Because at a young age she didn’t know the differences between being white and black, Moody only thought of color differences when the white people paid her for the hard labor that she did. In addition, Moody worked many jobs for white and observed many little things about white people but still found it hard to distinguish the differences between being white and black. Throughout her years of working at homes and factories, she concluded that white people were always on top within the work industry where the black people were always on the bottom. Because the majority of black women were working for white women, she concluded that white women were lazy. One job that she learned about racial differences was being a housekeeper, where she worked for a lady named Mrs. Burke.
People like Mr. Summers, Mr. Graves and Mr. Martin being in charge of the lottery suggests that they are above everyone, which is not a characteristic of a democracy. What does Mrs. Delacroix’s extra-large stone say about the loyalty and logic in “the Lottery”? What does the large stone represent? How might she justify the killing of Tessie? Mrs. Delacroix, obviously a friend and neighbor of Tessie, who just moments before [the stoning] was laughing with Tessie about her forgetfulness, and reassuring her that she was fine for her tardiness.
A woman working in the same job as a man will usually earn less, despite the fact that she may have the same or better training, education, and skills required for the job ("Study Shows Female Managers in Britain Earn Less than Men, and Equality Could Be 57 Years Away." 2010). Women are consistently discriminated against in the workplace. Women only make 60 percent or less than their male counterparts in the same job position (Louis, 2010). Throughout history men are seen as the “strong/tough ones”; the belief is that they should be paid more than women in order to support their families (Loney, 2005).
The Death of Tessie Hutchinson A tradition is something that’s been handed down from generation to generation. We often go along with them without questioning the meaning or perhaps even changing them for our own personal beliefs. Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” leaves the reader feeling uncomfortably disturbed. It is a story about society traditions, and the way we follow them just because generations before us have followed them. The villagers believe that to keep the rain god happy and have a good harvest they must continue the tradition.
Without Scrutiny Shirley Jackson’s intention in writing “The Lottery” is, in her own words, “to shock the story’s readers with a graphic demonstration of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives” (263). It is painfully clear that this small village of approximately three hundred convey the lack of respect for oneself, family and friends. Because the town is so small, the community is closely connected. Tragically, on June 27th, their history together is meaningless. In “The Lottery,” Jackson is suggesting that people conform to the demands of society without scrutiny.
During the World War I era girls were much more proper and disciplined than now days. Helens respect and love for Krebs is hardly talked about in the story although there is no doubt has a lot of both feelings towards Krebs. Although Krebs doesn’t receive the homecoming as a soldier that he thought he would Helen is there to tell and show how proud of him she is. Helens choice to invite her brother to her softball game is one of the signs of how much she looks up to Krebs and wants his involvement in her life. Krebs being the only other sibling of Helen make a huge impact on there relationship.
Old Time Rituals and Traditions The short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is about a shocking tradition that takes place in a small American village. She writes this story to send the message that old-fashioned attitude and values are important in societies. People resist change and follow thoughtlessly the models of their ancestors. One tradition of the villagers is called the lottery, it takes place every year in “the morning of June 27th,” is based on a drawing which has been practiced by every member of the village for as long as everyone can remember (Jackson 213). Throughout Jackson’s “The Lottery”, literary elements of symbolism, irony, and tone reveal the author’s perspective on the theme of rituals and traditions.
Lai 1 John Smith Dr. K English 154 19 October 2011 Women and The Lottery Through a feminist perspective, women view themselves as strong individuals and would be appalled by a society viewing them as nothing more than a material property. In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, women had no voice in regards to public decisions and actions. For example, in the short story the townspeople had a tradition to sacrifice one person in the hopes of reaping the best harvest. In most cases the wives would be the first chosen, many feminists would view this as an abomination. Tessie Hutchinson, one of the main characters represents women who are being tyrannized by society because of their gender.