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 Shirley Jackson (Page 2)
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| Author | Topic: Shirley Jackson |
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norfolkt unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 01-17-2003 18:38
 
My view on "The Lottery" is negative because the thought of a town sacrificing a human is hard. The general emotions that I received from Shirly jackson was that a man was the stronger of the household and the woman as the weaker. For food to be plentiful in a home, I am grateful that today's society no longer entertain this practice. |
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Paul Terry unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 02-22-2003 14:55
The "Lottery" by Shirley Jackson is one of the most interesting readings that I have ever comed. Her use of symbolization throughout this story is masterful. The first time I read the "Lottery" I was taken totally by surprise. I like most assumed that it was a lottery to win something. I was very shocked to find the total opposite. With the first reading I did not catch onto the clues provided by the author about the outcome. On the second reading, actually breaking down the story, hints became more obvisious. I really enjoyed the technique that the author used to develop the story. It is a brilliant piece of work. Paul Terry |
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cbohlander unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 02-25-2003 13:48
The Lottery is a very disturbing piece of literature. I reason with this statement out of my participation while reading it. The symbolism in the writing is superb. It wasn't a suprise, since I had to read it in school, and it left a distaste then too. I still wanted the outcome to change. I suppose tradition in cultures all over the world could shock each other, even if something as trivial as cutting ones hair might be viewed as gastly as Shirley's story The Lottery, especially the part of the youngest child of Tessie's is handed stones to contribute in his mother's death. The persona of the story leaves me just got.I have never appreciated Alfred Hitcoche either. |
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laklinge unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 02-25-2003 23:11
quote: |
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laklinge unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 02-25-2003 23:29
I, like other readers, had read this story many years ago and viewed part of it on the humanities tape. I had forgotten most of it until the ending and realized it was as cruel watching this time as it was reading it several years ago. Shirley Jackson does such an extraordinary way in characterization. They are just ordinary people and we can easily relate to them especially in the sense that the whole town shuts down for this lottery each week. It is a tradition much similar to a small town market or fair in which everyone is hurrying to get there. One of the points that sticks out most to me is the correlation of the lottery facilitator and that he also is in charge of other town functions and yet like the others, goes about this horrid task without mercy. The atomosphere is created by being able to identify with small town life where everyone works hard through the week and this is their form of entertainment on Saturday. Although the lotterys plot represents all of this that we see happening to these people, it is really about human nature and the cruelty we can impose on one another at whatever costs. The universal theme is stated well with the woman who is stoned as she was too eager to stone someone else, but did not want it done to her. |
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sarahb unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 03-09-2003 21:49
This is the first time that I have read "The Lottery". I also got to view the video during this lesson. I feel this story was very well written. This version of the lottery is very different that what I was expecting. It contains several different view points. The author does a great job of adding suspense to the story. The reader does not know until the end of the story what the lottery is all about. |
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Connie Celeste unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 03-12-2003 19:32
By Connie Celeste The Lottery is a well written but disturbing short story about a small town and a long time tradition. The theme of the story is in the tension of the towns people as the lottery builds up and the relief when they don't win. Jackson starts out creating an atmosphere of a bright, sunny day with children playing, wanting the reader to believe something good is going to happen. Then she turns to the black box and the slips of paper in it, which turns out to be bad news. The plot, which is the sequence of actions or events, is the anticipation of getting ready for the big day and drawing a slip of paper from the black box, hoping you are not the winner. The black box is symbolized as being something great and not replaceable. In reality it symbolizes death and sadness. A point that stands out with me is the young boys are gathering rocks in a pile like a child would do when they are playing but actually the rocks are going to be used in a cruel way. Jackson does a good job helping the reader understand the anticipation as everyone waits to see who has drawn the paper with the black dot which represents the winner of the lottery or the loser, whatever way you look at it. I personally did not like this story. |
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Luella Stevens unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 03-20-2003 13:47
I read “The Lottery” for the first time today. I liked it Jackson did a good job of using words that brought images to mind. She starts the story out giving you the sense of a nice little town getting together, and she slowly builds the uneasiness with the organic narrative of linking every thing together. She gives enough details and symbolism to make you wonder, like about the “smoothest” and “roundest” stones and how she gave the details about the black box, but let the reader use their own imagination. And with each paragraph she unites each detail one by one till the end. I thought the ending was great, because she lets the reader decide what the Lottery was all about. A story like “The Lottery” can have many different endings; one ending could be the Lottery was a way for the town’s people to release their anger, frustration, and maybe a little blood lust. Or it could be a way of keeping the population in control, Also with the use of the saying”Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon and that it is a ritual it may be the town’s way to please a higher being. Again I liked the way she builds up the story with little details and left the ending or meaning of the Lottery to the reader. |
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susanvu unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 03-23-2003 22:10
The Lottery is a modern day horror story describing people unwilling to question violent traditions. Ms Jackson's use of descriptive characterization,atmosphere, a universal theme, and a well constructed plot all build to an intensity that lures the reader into the story. Mr. Graves helping out with the execution of the Lottery is a dark forshadow of the soon to be revealed events. The Adam's meek comments about how other towns have done away with the lottery, and the old man represent the clash of new ideas and old values. However, neither side explains why the lottery is good of bad for society. Some how it is assumed that the lottery ritual is beneficial, Ms Jackson may be pointing out man inhumanity, but she is also directing us to man's nature of not questioning, nor make the effort to know the truth about the many rituals, beliefs and customs that govern our lives. Ms Jackson's simple story about the ritual of one small town, goes beyond the facts and demonstrates a truth about all of mankind. |
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paynes unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 04-02-2003 20:23
Shirley Jackson did a wonderful job using symbolism and irony in her story "The Lottery," from the black lottery box to the stones the children are gathering before the lottery begins. I did not care much for this story; I suppose because of the morbid ending. |
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mthorne unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 04-05-2003 15:20
The lottery is a very awful story,even though it was well written. the fisrt couple of paragraphs depict an beutiful day with children playing. but you start to think that something is going to go wrong as the children gather rocks. I thought one would in up hurt. but as the rest of the town gathers, you start to realize that cant be it. then the black box. Black is hte tratitional sign of death and even though you may not see it but the somber atmosphere, the rocks, and the black box tell you that this is a tradition that is barbaric and should have been abandoned. |
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Jennifer Rood unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 04-05-2003 19:08
I had seen the video of the lottery some years ago but I read it for the first time today. Jackson did an excellent job of setting the mood and tone of this peice. As well as changing the mood as she continued the story. The point of view as I took it to be was as if you yourself were there witnessing the events. I really enjoyed the style of Jacksons work on this peice as it progressed from beginning to the suprising bitter end. Overall it was very nice work. |
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rklein unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 04-06-2003 13:48
I have never read The Lottery before. I expected something totally different from what I got. When the story opens up, the image that you get is one of a rural community rich in tradition. When the children start collecting stones, you realize that something is not right. Symbolism in this story is used by the author. It seems that the lottery is a modern day comparision to the way that we treat others, and how tradition is used as a stepping stone for those that have the power, in this case, Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves. It keeps those that have the power in control, and those that don't are reminded that it will always remain that way. |
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cwelch unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 04-07-2003 21:23
I remembered reading The Lottery from high school after I started reading it this time. I thought it was a terrible story and is a prime example of how some people will never change, because it has always been done this way or that. It is very hard for me to believe that before the lottery started they were all friends and then when Mrs. Hutchison was picked they all turned on her. |
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Andielynn unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 04-07-2003 22:15
I remember reading this story in english comp II last year. Our class had a big discussion on this story that i will never forget. We talked about how one person can be so selfish, selfish enough to hurt others. I really liked this story and looked at the "lottery" in a different perspective. Every time i hear the lottery mentioned i think of this story and how one word can mean the same thing but have a very different outcome. This story also illustrates how the time was different and how it was ok to get away with these kinds of things. Im glad our lottery is the way it is instead of their way. |
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ssnell unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 04-11-2003 23:20
In Ms. Jackson's the lottery i found it to be a breath taker at the end the story starts off with a pleasant beginning and it gradually builds in character and plot then all of the sudden the conclusion throws you for a twist how exciting even though i didnt enjoy the ending i still can sit and think about it and just to think of how i reacted to the shock that must have been what Ms. Jackson was going for. |
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jpage unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 04-13-2003 19:54
I had read “The Lottery” in high school and remembered much of it as I read it again. The story is very cruel but it definitely represents society today. People are only out for themselves. The story uses terrific detail. I can imagine it in my head as I am reading. As with other people, I believe that the story starts out and makes you believe it is going to be a good ending but the ending only shows the cruelty and greediness in the human race. |
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bonesang unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 04-23-2003 23:11
The Lottery I read this on the screen as my printer slowly printed the same. I was done reading by the time it finished printing. The story certainly kept my focused attention. The symbolism of Jackson is well thought out and omnipresent: The box that was put away and only pulled out once a year, the fact that it needed significant repair though the townspeople were generally afraid to make changes, the small voice indicating that maybe the lottery had outlived it’s usefulness indicating other areas have discontinued it, the wives doing their dutiful standing with their husbands, the handing small pebbles to the youngest son so that he may begin his journey into society’s way. Jackson’s imagery is simple but intricate at the same time. The town’s people gathering at the square, the wife in an apron, the family standing together holding hands – it’s sets the tone in the beginning as warm and cozy. The mood of the story cleverly changes as it becomes clear that the lottery winner is the loser. Personally my interpretation of this is that we have all played a lottery and continue to do so regularly. We’re born with the lottery, live daily with the lottery and die with the lottery. It’s a game of chance and we are all guilty of the simplistic happiness when we are not the “chosen” of the moment and quickly forget the desperation of the lottery “winner”. God forbid this lottery interrupt our lives and keep us from getting home in time for dinner! Jackson is an extraordinary writer. |
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ababb unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 04-24-2003 23:22
I had never read "The Lottery" before and I was impressed at first, but after pondering on the story for a while I was BLOWN AWAY!!!! I wonder how many time tradition "stones" someone in this country(world) everyday. The detail and dramatic forshadowing effectively relates the proper and uneasy tone throughout the story. The symbolism is most appropriate. |
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Applelemon Officer Posts: 6 |
posted 04-26-2003 00:04
fee, so I did research and found this site, it advertises your personal website without a fee, and since I got lost and ended here I thought I'd just post it here as well. In case any of you have a personal website. I apologize if you frown on this post and please feel free to delete it if it's out of line.
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ophleia8449 unregistered Posts: 6 |
posted 04-26-2003 17:19
I think this story is ironic, amoung other things. The definaition of irony is the exact opposite of what you thought it would be. The lottry, at least in this society, is a good thing. if you win the lottery, you get money. Money is good. In this story if you win, you lose. You lose your life. This world is so cruel sometimes, and a lot of it is needless. Some people kill for money. People win the lottery to get money. In this story you win the lottery, you get killed. Jackson made the parallel very clear in this story. |
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cellermann unregistered Posts: 6 |
posted 04-28-2003 22:34
I'm not sure I'm in the right spot but here goes. The story "The Lottery" was a story that seemed like a time when life was nice and simple until I got through most of it and realized that doom was near. The story was good with not a very happy ending like most of us would prefer. The one area that I thought was stranger than the fact that other small towns were stopping this tradition was that the family of the victim seemed so unconcerned of their wife/mother that was going to be stoned to death. I can understand why this would be a little unsettleing for readers in the 40's since it was a little disturbing to me given the fact that their seems to alot worse in society today. |
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scollins unregistered Posts: 6 |
posted 04-29-2003 12:33
I remember reading this story for my English Comp I class. I was as disturbed by it then as I am now. Jackson uses atmosphere, characterization, plot and theme, and symbolism in this short story. There is an air of excitement as the town people gather in the square. When there is talk of how other towns are going to or have already stopped having the lotteries the people voice criticism. The people of the town look at this a necessary evil and are in a hurry to get the deed over with so they can go back to the other things they need to do. When Mrs. Hutchison cries out that it wasnt fair they didnt want to listen to her they just went and got their stones and started throwing them. I thought it was particularly disgusting that stones were given to her young son who obviously didnt understand what was going on. This story will make you think about things in your own life. Situations that maybe you went along with because that was just how things were done. Tradition can be a wonderful thing, but when used for something as foul as this it becomes something foul. |
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Raen unregistered Posts: 6 |
posted 05-04-2003 01:10
I'm in junior high now and studying this story for my enlish lit. class. When I first read it, I was really freaked out. I spent the rest of the lesson discussing with some friends... however I would like to ask if anyone out there can help me with something? What is the reason behind the sacrifices, is it just tradition or somehing meant to please a random god/sprit although it is not mentioned? I think it might be the pleasing thing, Old Man Warner says that 'lottery in june, corn be heavy soon' and mabye the lottery is a sacrifice to make the corn heavy? I'm not very sure. Thank you very much. |
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B OConnell unregistered Posts: 6 |
posted 05-13-2003 22:47
The Lottery is a great short story. I’ve read the story once before when I was younger, it was just as shocking the second time around. The community is so stereotypical that you become consumed in the joyous spring day when the town comes together to celebrate this exciting event. At first thought the lottery will be choosing someone to gain status almost unfairly in the community. Some feel that the lottery should be abolished while the old timer that has obviously never been chosen feels that the lottery is a way of life, tradition that should live on forever. The shocking turn of events is abrupt and moving. To think that the town gathers to pick a person to stone, possibly a child is a true shocker of a short story. |
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M Wells unregistered Posts: 6 |
posted 05-27-2003 21:04
This short story was disturbing, although true. The story had an atmosphere in the beginning of happiness, but then changed to darkness. It told the true story of how greed and deception are used to gain one's own wealth. It was horrible to realize that the human race can be so cruel. It is scary to think that we can take something bad and gain something good out of it. It really showed the bad side of humanity. |
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mivida310 Officer Posts: 1 |
posted 05-29-2003 14:03
Shirley begins by telling how of a good day it was on that June 27th, and good day for a lottery. If you have never read the short story, you might start believing that everyone in town agrees with the yearly lottery drawing, but this is not true. You can see a coupple hints, first the lost of the original box. Some one within the town might have taken the box. Secondly, some member of the village talking about other villages quitting the lottery. As the story move on, the villages expression start to reveal to be scare of the drawing especially of the Tessies expreasion when she find out her family is the winner of the drawing. The dramatic twist of the author can be seen at the end of the short story when the violence of the village turn against the winner of the lottery. Not neccesary the winner but the looser. The story symbolize the pointless violance and inhumane atmosphere in Society. She might want to tell in a horror way to look at own life and make traditional changes and adopt a more humane practice. Noel Rodriguez |
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agranger unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 05-30-2003 15:01
I had never read the "Lottery" before and I was quite surprised. I was not sure what it was going to be about and as I was reading it did not tell a lot about it but I was still interested to see what it was about and when I finally got to the end I was shocked that they would hold a lottery to stone someone and the family would actually participate. |
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Niki Kaiser unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 06-13-2003 00:32
This short story is simply horrifying. Not in the blood and guts way of many of today's writings, but terrifying just the same. Narrative structure provides rich details that allow the reader to feel the tension mounting with each passing minute. The subject matter portrays the darker side of human nature. Common people from a small town continue on the madness because that's the way things have always been done and no other reason. The author has an innate talent for choosing the exact words necessary to make the images burst into the reader's mind. |
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S Fry unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 06-20-2003 22:13
This short story has a very deceptive title. When you imagine winning the lottery you think of all the good things to come. This gruesome tale has the exact opposite effect. Winning this lottery is no prize. As the narrative structure unfolds, the reader is given just enough information to keep them spellbound, and wondering what's going to happen next. The author's choices of words evoke images and feelings of terror. You are able to sense the crowd's relief, as slip, after slip of paper is unfolded and turns up blank. You can feel the mounting tension and fear in Mrs. Hutchinson as she realizes she is the "chosen one." The subject matter is man's inhumanity to fellow man. |
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donjon Officer Posts: 50 |
posted 06-22-2003 15:06
Who cares? [This message has been edited by donjon (edited 06-22-2003).] |
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J.B. Hill unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 07-02-2003 14:02
Shirley Jackson was apparently a depressed individual much of the time. Her writing illuminates her inner detest for the atrocities of life and contrasting sick attraction to them as well. She boldly shows her disgust with the depravation of man, yet tactfully avoids facing her own reprobate condition. This is all too common for people and typically leads eventually to their own devastating face with reality, that they are exactly what they despise. However, her literature is of high quality and skillfully written. In “The Lottery”, she immediately draws you into a pleasant atmosphere, filled with common people doing common things on an ordinary, fun and sunny summer day. She starts out giving us a broad depiction of characters, while slowly moving in to more personal characterizations, starting with Mrs. Hutchison, who she draws mysterious attention to. Jackson makes us question immediately how Mrs. Hutchison is involved in the plot. She keeps the suspense growing as the sequence of events transpires and the plot is slowly unfolded before our eyes. The feeling of uncertainty and wonder suddenly drops when you get to the phrase, “and she held her hands out desperately as the villagers moved in on her. ‘It isn’t fair,’ she said.” What genius in waiting until the last three sentences to reveal what had been building for the entire story. This short story was cleverly arranged to produce an effective form consistent with the message revealed. As tradition slowly forms without notice, so does the plot of the story without us knowing what is happening. |
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Brittany Welp unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 07-16-2003 18:44
testing |
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Brittany Welp unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 07-16-2003 18:51
I believe that Shirley Jackson's the Lottery has so many underlying messages. One of the messages that I took from reading this is that it always seems like someone has to be unhappy for others to be happy. The person that is stoned each year is the scapegoat for this community. People find happiness in other peoples sadness. Just look at the way that Tessy's children are happy that neither one of them picked the paper with the mark on it. They did not care that their mother was going to die, just that they did not have to die. It is very sickening, but in our society today I think it is becoming truer and truer each day. The first time I read this the ending absolutely in everyway shocked me. Everything leading up to the stoning of Tessy seems as if the lottery is something that people are happy about. All of the townspeople coming into the middle of town seem as if they do not have a care in the world. No one is acting like someone close to them might die. |
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km unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 07-18-2003 15:56
I do not remember having to read this story in school, so this is the first time I had read it. It made me want to re-read it just to make sure I had read the ending correctly. It definately evoked my participation. It had everything a short story should have, with the addition of a twist at the ending. The symbolism was intriguing. This is a story that I enjoyed and still continue to think about. |
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CCosby unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 07-21-2003 12:56
Jackson skillfully created a story that leaves her readers in awe. She has the ability to grab their attention and hold it there, building momentum to the end. The "Lottery" climaxes at end of the story; though from the beginning we are caught following the traditions of the village and getting to know its families. Our curiousity builds as we read on to find the winner of the lottery. To win the lottery is a dream for most people. But, not in this village. Emotions soar as the Hutchison's open their papers, then the atmosphere changes as reader realizes the lottery is not what it seems. The plot thickens, and the Hutchison's are singled out. One by one the papers are opened. Tension floods as the crowd backs away from the mother. She opens herself to the crowd, "It's not fair," she screams. It's not fair. This village is so firmly caught in their straight jacket of tradition that lives are taken in order to ensure a bountiful crop. It is disturbing to read such an ending to this story that you almost have to read it twice. |
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mike unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 07-28-2003 14:12
test |
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louise keys unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 07-28-2003 16:35
Shirley Jackson "The Lottery" uses the structure of a narrative that leaves the reader with no idea of the events to come. The organic narrative connects every action and every character in a subtle way that the narrative unfolds. A example is Mrs. Hutchinson joking with the towns people and happy to be on time. The lottery gets on the way and Mr. Hutchinson is the lucky winner.Mrs. Hutchinson scream of it's unfair sets in motion the events to come. The Hutchinson family all had to draw from the black box and Mrs. Hutchinson was the winner of the second drawing and the towns people stoned her to death. The lottery was brutal and Shirley Jackson ideal of such a short story reflects her thoughts of a person self-worth. Louise Keys |
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jpflug unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 08-01-2003 15:11
Looking at the title of this short story, I would never have guessed it would have anything to do with someone winning the chance to get stoned. As the narrative structure unfolds, you can feel the tension unfold as the story moves on. Shirley Jackson certainly didn't leave out any details. Reading this short story left me sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. It's absolutely insane that the villager's what the lottery is all about but they continue to have it. |
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mbedwell unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 08-03-2003 18:37
The "Lottery", keep me at the edge of me set. I keep wondering what they were going to win. Then at the end to find out the won a chance to be stoned by the towns people. I didn’t understand why they had a lottery. When I first starting reading it I thought it was something good. It was awful to put someone in the middle of a circle and throw rocks at them. And then to argue that someone cheated when they pulled their paper out of the black box. No wonder they wanted to do the lottery over again, or even get rid of it. |
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jlynn unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 08-08-2003 22:28
I really did not care for Shirley Jackson's story. I read it in high school and was rather confused. I think that Jackson puts way too much emphasis on the details and not enough on the story of itself. At times her story can become rather graphic and vulgar. For the time period that this story was intended for, I think that this would have been acceptible (to some extent). However, to read it in today's society it seems rather implausible. |
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lfloyd unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 08-08-2003 22:43
I was very unhappy with the story line of, "The Lottery." I was looking for a good story and was completly in shock after reading it. I found it appauling that some one got stoned for no reason. I thought that if someone was going to get stoned there should be a really good reason. I realized that it would be pot luck and the change of something happening like being stoned would be slim to nun. I feel sorry for the woman that did draw the black dot because it would be a suspensful time. I would be devistated. |
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hhelms1513 unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 08-16-2003 14:56
quote: I have read this before and I didn'y like it thenm and I still don't. The fact that someone in a small town gets stoned for no reason is crazy. There needs to be some logical reason for this action. |
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BCox unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 08-20-2003 17:18
I really like this story, "The Lottery," is like a movie and you are anticipating something happening, but what you don't know. They talk about this lottery and the drawing, which makes me think maybe someone is acquiring some land or something. What is so ironic is that these people really didn't care who they stoned, just as long as it wasn't them. It seemed very barbaric and sad to think that even your own family was happy that it was you and not them. It seemed as if they rejoiced over this. This has the making of a true film, there is suspense, I can imagine music to lead up to the big ending. What makes it so good is that you are wondering what is this lottery. What I don't understand about this writing is what was the purpose of the lottery, to keep down the population or was this somet type of entertainment for the village people. If I was a critic, I think I would give this 2 thumbs up for the suspense and contrasting forms, the lottery and the rocks. It was indeed abstract to me at the beginning, but it soon became a reality to what was happening and going to take place. |
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natalie unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 09-15-2003 14:11
I thought "Lottery" by Shirley Jackson was a very interesting story. It seemed as though the good people still want more and portray so much evil. I did not understand how anyone could have fun with the way life was expresses in the story. However, I have noted how traditions are different and times have changed. |
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jjulao unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 09-24-2003 22:27
Shirley Jackson's lottery provides a great deal of symbolism with the use of the black box. The color black has been associated with death and dismay. Her work, although not as good as Edgar Alan Poe, initially provides the illusion that the lottery provided a sense of freedom and happiness, as the townspeople gather and eagerly await the lottery. You start getting a feeling that the lottery is not what it seems to be when the black box is introduced. Then you start to get a sense, as it is described as initially black, but through years of disregard is worn and faded. Such as the symbolism of what is to happen to the winner of the lottery. |
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AMohamed unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 10-16-2003 22:47
I have never heard of story “The Lottery” until now but before I read it and based on the title, I had the assumption that the story was going to be about gambling or the road to good life etc. I definitely had the wrong idea. I would have never imagined that “The Lottery” was going to be this twisted. I was appalled that this village made it a tradition of sacrificing a human being by atrocious stoning (Tessie in this instance) so there would be a good harvest. It was very disturbing. The villagers like Mr. Summers, saw this as their duty to stone the unlucky person who had the dotted piece of paper. This story reminded me of the parable in the Bible where a woman was stoned to death because she committed adultery. The only difference was that the woman in the Bible disobeyed one of the commandments and this was a form of punishment. In “The Lottery," an innocent person who did nothing wrong was stoned as a yearly activity and the villagers looked forward to this. How sad! Shirley Jackson was a talented writer. Her medium of language successfully conveyed the main themes in this literary work, which are evil, prejudice and hypocrisy. The description of the early scenes of the sunny weather and the green grass appealed strongly to our sense of sight. This definitely got the reader to reconstruct in their imagination the reality of Shirley Jackson’s perceptions. Her details of the plot provoked many varying emotions. Her use of symbols such as the black box implied that something bad was going to happen but in order to find out, you had to read on. This added a little suspense to the story. From the narrative structure, I developed a clear sense that the characters were uneducated. In “The Lottery” Miss Jackson depicted that a person’s life was meaningless and back in the early years, this is what people did, they actually gambled with people’s lives to benefit themselves, much like the world we live in today. This story helped me introspect on the society in which we live and how selfish some people can really be. |
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Kerry Moore unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 10-21-2003 11:39
It had been awhile since I read The Lottery. Rereading this short story brought back the same emotions I experienced when I first read it. Jackson used a technique which is not unfamiliar within the literature world. She used a round about way to bring out her purpose or truth behind the story. Although we know lotteries like this do not happen, we do realize that we as humans do things without understanding why we do them. We just do them because that's the way it's always been done regardless if it's right or if it hurts other people. She brings out the truth behind the fact that humans are afraid to venture off the norm and to question society. The Adams in the story are the only ones who begin to question this activity and when they do question it they are faced with deep resentment by those that believe in the "system." Jackson's purpose behind this was to show society how ridiculous we can be when it comes to doing things the same way just because we don't know any better. I enjoy Jackson's works and look forward to reading more of her stories. |
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jsmith unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 11-04-2003 21:38
This is a story that I would have never read given the choice. It says a lot about traditions even when the traditions are unintelligent. I can’t imagine enjoying reading stories like this. In my opinion this story is has satanic tones. What’s the point of putting such garbage into your mind? |
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Jim McCauslin unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 11-06-2003 23:49
The lottery is a fascinating story. At first I though the lottery was a good thing like it is in todays society. The towns people were cheery and enthusiastic but as the lottery proceeded their moods changed and you could sense that maybe the lottery wasn't a good thing. Shirley Jackson is a great story teller. The subject matter is about pointless violence in everyday situations and the fact that many times people do nothing about it. Most of the time we are just glad it is'nt us. The names Mr. Sunny and Mr. Graves mirrors the beginnig and end of the story. I really enjoyed this story. I though about it the next day after I saw it and told my wife about the story. |
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