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 Shirley Jackson (Page 3)
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| Author | Topic: Shirley Jackson |
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dale parsons unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 11-10-2003 22:20
 
I think Shirley Jacksons "The Lottery" is an interesting story. She wrote the story very descriptive full of different words. I like the way the story begins, its full of harmony, but soon the story turns to be full of anger. People end up mad at each other and it gets confusing, makes it hard for students to understand. |
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lauren Johnson-Lavender unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 11-13-2003 21:25
Believe it or not, at almost 50 years old, I have never read Jackson's short story,"The Lottery". What an incredibly powerful story it is! Just look at the intense emotion that all of the readers that posted on this site display in their description of reaction to the story. Most certainly, Jackson proves her literary skill as she tells a tale that initially give the impression that this normal New England town is about to participate in a welcomed annual ritual; the lottery. He descriptive detail of characters causes you to feel an intimacy with the characters, thus creating a greater impact as the story takes a horrifying unexpected twist. Jackson initially creates an atmosphere of warmth and joy, then through a change in tone and character's reactions to the event, you are drawn into the angst and fear amongst the townspeople. There is a lot of symbolism and morality ribboned through this story. The old man represents unweilding tradition, comfortable in maintaining what has always been, even if the belief is unjust and immoral. As with many issues that men stand divided on, many people give lip service in their objection to such matters, but do not have the courage to stand up for their convictions for fear of retribution or repercussions. If we look back on the history of the world, are there not long-standing traditions that are barbaric and inhumane that remain because those afflicted do not have the courage to protest and rebel against those that enforce them? Women in Africa get circumcised to prevent sexual pleasure and to keep them from having sexual relations while their husband is off hunting. It is done to mere children, age 12, without anesthesia, and without their consent. American women are fighting for the rights of these women, because their people will not stand up for their rights. How about women in the Middle East that are forbidden to marry for love. If they choose to have a relationship with a man that is not approved by her family, she can be slain by her father or brothers to maintain the reputation of her family. It is hard to believe that such customs still exist in the 21st century, but many of these traditions remain because those around are unwilling to stand up and protest, rebelling and forcing change. The Lottery is an organic narrative, that powerfully connects you to the characters through descriptive writing, enticing you down the twisting path to its dark ending. |
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wendy pemberton unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 11-14-2003 23:45
What a great piece of literature. Shirley is an excellent writer. Her symbols are briliiant. I didn't so much care for the story, but it was beautifully written. Most wanted change, but were too afraid to stand up and say anything. I think that if people were dying, I would have to say something. Great story! |
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ACagle unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 11-25-2003 17:02
This was a remarkable work of literature. Shirley Jackson did an outstanding job when she wrote this. People are always afraid of change and willing to perform the traditions of everyday life but as time slips away little things change. The tradition of the lottery had changed as time passed on. Mr. Summers was suppose to be sworn in officially, the black box was not the original and everyone was afraid to change it, the official was to stand a certain way and say certain things that were to be a part of the tradition that wasn't done. Peopel like traditions because they aren't suppose to change, but they do, despite what anyone can do. This is terrrible thing that happened in the lottery. I just can't believet that I hadn't read it sooner. The way that Jackson described the characters, especially Mr. Summers just gave me a better feel to what was going on. The tone that she used helped make the story seem more real and kept you waiting in dispense for what was going to happen next, especially if you hadn't read it before. It was just a remarkable work of art. |
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Micmorr unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 11-26-2003 22:45
"The Lottery" is a very interesting story. I remember it all before I even read it again. It leads you to think something else of the story until the end when you realize exactly what the lottery is and what is going to happen to the person. It was kinda gross at the end when you knew what was going to happen, but it also kept you going to finish it so you could find out. |
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acharles unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 11-30-2003 20:35
This was a very interesting piece of writing; I first heard it on the video tape where Maya Angelou gave a wonderful interpretation of the piece of literature. It’s funny how things are in this little town. On a beautiful summer day where things blossoming and full of life people are gathering in the towns square to have a lottery, a lottery for death. How ironic is it that this lottery is to choose one of the town’s people to be stoned to death. And of all the people to be chosen, it appears to be one of the happiest people in the town, someone that everyone likes. She now goes from being happy to being sad, sad from being chosen. Look at the contrast in blossoming and death; happiness and sadness. Everything has a beginning and an end, a good and bad, which was expressed in the story “The Lottery”. |
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Mwever unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 12-01-2003 08:19
Jackson did an outstanding job with this work! Her ability to clearly present symbolism is incredible. I had never read this work before and was entirely stunned with the ironic twist of the ending. What begins as a nice sunny day, ends in horror. Jacksons' talent is magnificent, however, this is not a reading I would have taken by choice. |
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e inman unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 12-03-2003 14:59
I was so shocked by the ending of the lottery. I thought that it was going to be a fun type of story. The tone was happy and upbeat. What a shock when the tone changed to evil. I thought that Jackson did a great job in the imagary that she used to convey to the reader of what and how the participants were feeling. |
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edouglas unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 12-22-2003 12:27
I was very surprised by this story and it's ending. I, like many others that have posted here, think of the lottery of something good and fun! If you win, you get something wonderful...a prize. In this situation it is completely reversed. However, in a way you could look at it as though it is exactly the same. The lottery now can make people lose their sense of life by making them rich and lose some values. This doesn't happen all the time though. I thought that Jackson did a very good job in writing this story bringing the story to a good climax and leaving you with your jaw hanging open. Originally I thought that something good was going to happen but apparently not... |
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CSteiner unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 01-02-2004 12:11
Shirley Jackson's short story of "The Lottery" is a well written literary work, which has the 4 basic elements of a story; atmosphere, characterization, plot and theme. Her writing is done so well that as the atmosphere changes from a warm, sunny and happy gathering to the actual stoning of one of the townspeople, Tessie Hutchison, we are moved right along as if we were watching it in person. How ironic it is that even Tessie is seemingly excited in the beginning, but as her family is the one chosen her mood and attitude changes. The atmosphere surrounding her is so evident that we feel her dismay. The characterization was set by the fellow townspeople, both as they talked to one another and amongst themselves. Without any description, we pretty much knew the main characters. Symbolism is abundant in this story, as in the black box. Both the age of it and the color were symbolic of the aged old tradition and evil. The names of some of the people, like Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves, or hearing the attitudes of some of the people like the oldest man in town who doesn't want change. Standing next to him is the young couple talking of other towns doing away with the lottery, symbolizing youth and change. This short story is an organic narrative because the entire story from start to finish has a close connectedness to the theme. Every member of the townspeople is at the town square for one reason and they all seem to accept it as if it were a typical summer day. They were all eager to hurry and get the whole thing over so they could go eat dinner and continue on with their lives. I think this story is very sad. Shirley Jackson said she was trying to symbolize the pointless violence and everyday inhumanity in our world. This story is a real good example of nonchalant behavior, committing a sensless murder with absolutely no remorse. I will remember this story for a very long time. |
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EShaughnessy unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 01-11-2004 02:32
This story was well written work using organic narrative. Shirley Jackson uses literary details of images, diction, and symbols. The images she gives us is a warm summer day that we can picture being there. The diction she chose paints us a picture of Mrs Hutchinson's and what eventually happens to her of being the unlucky one to be stoned to death. The symbol that she uses in the old broken down black box with the dark color representing death. The ironic name of the caller, Mr. Summer and his helper Mr. Graves also come into play. Another ironic part is when the one man is talking about how others are not doing to the lottery anymore, but is one of the first ones to throw a stone. I think she was trying to get across the of the insanity of violence in society today. Also, that some traditions shouldn't be followed just because they are tradition. It points out how people are resistant to change. |
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Ellen Leek unregistered Posts: 50 |
posted 03-13-2004 22:48
I think the short story was a very chilling story. It really shocked me at the end when the truth be told about everything. At least it kept me interested. It is sometimes hard to keep me tuned in with stories but this one was really interesting. Its hard to believe that things like this could happen and she tells it so well. I really enjoyed reading it. It was the first time I've even heard of the story. I enjoyed it! Ellen Leek |
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lhayes3 Officer Posts: 1 |
posted 03-14-2004 19:42
 
Stories such as these remind me of a short film showcase "Tales from the Cript". The tell for me was when the townspeople were fussing as to make sure noone was absent from the drawing. Mrs. Jackson used vivid imagery and insight towards her characters to give us a wealth of information to draw from. And the theme's tension kept ratcheting down as the end drew near. I enjoyed this story a lot! [This message has been edited by lhayes3 (edited 03-14-2004).] |
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jdavis7// VIncennes Unive unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 03-16-2004 00:56
I thought Shirley Jackson could really grasp the attention of the reader... When I read this short story when I was younger, I was kinda just blowing through it; i think i even got Cliff Notes for it.. but as i am an "old man" now, I felt the concentration needed for the depth of the story...it leads the reader on a wondering merry-go-round since the reader has no idea as to what to expect the "lottery" to really be!! |
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gnix unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 03-16-2004 21:15
"The Lottery" I found this story very interesting and horrifying all at the same time. Shirley Jackson’s characterizations of the village people were of joyful small-town people out for a town holiday and between the kids playing, people laughing, and a picturesque day nothing could of seemed better to the average on looker. As her plot developed and the big black box gets brought out and the man is sworn in to uphold his duty, a frightening hush comes over the people and they all become very serious and at this point in time you know that they are not here for pleasure or a picnic. The suspense builds at a frantic rate as the families of the town pick pieces of paper to decide which one of their family members lives or dies. As the story ends all the families know that one of their family members are about to get picked to get stoned to death by a tradition and with its final twist the person that you think is least likely to have anything done to them is the one that is picked by the lottery to get stoned. I think the theme and moral of her story is how not to let one man or tradition have the power to lead so many down the primrose path of ignorance. So think for yourself. Thanks, |
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CSherman unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 03-21-2004 13:19
I first read the "Lottery" in high school as required reading but I have to say that I didn't get as much out of it that time as I did then. When I began to read the story I didn't remember much about the details of the story but as it went on I remembered more and more. I believe that's why I was able to pick up some of the little things that are usually missed. I believe that the story is a great horror story, right up there with "The Tell Tale Heart" and "Phsycho". |
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SBrady unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 03-25-2004 01:34
After reading this story, I see the amount of emotion that the reader can pull from this story. It is very dramatic to think that this sort of thing used to happen. I am not sure that I could read any more of the authors stories. This is not because of this story, but because I could really not get into it. |
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cbey unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 05-04-2004 21:27
I would have to say that this is one of the most interesting short stories I have ever read. This story left me with so many different emotions. Ms. Jackson is an awesome writer. She immediately captivates you with her details about the atmosphere of the village. It was summer, the sun was shining bright, and everything was green. She goes further to give you bits and pieces about the characters in this story. She starts with the children, then the adults, later on you learn about Mr. Summers, Mr. Graves, and Mr. Martin. She provides great details about many of the characters who make up the village. The theme is presented as soon as she describes Mr. Summers entrance into the middle of the village. A Lottery is about to happen. The Lottery happens in other villages as well. It appears to be an event that occurs regularly. It's presented as no big deal and those were my exact thought as well. After everyone has circled around Mr. Summers, Mr. Graves, and Mr. Martin the plot thickens. Ms. Jackson carefully tell the reader/viewer the series of events that happen. She does a beautiful job utilizing the four elements of story writing. There were also a great deal of symbolisms in the story. Ms. Jackson does a superb job at making an individual realize and think just how inhumane we can be to one another. The sad part is a lot of times some people may feel as though they have to be that way in order to remain a part of a social group. Although people today may not literally stone a person to death with rocks, we can cause so much pain to others in so many ways that it can cause people to feel as though they are dead. We as a people can be so evil. What an awesome short story! |
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slastuka unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 05-24-2004 17:01
"The Lottery" was a very interesting story - one I remembered from High School. I'm not a history buff, but it wouldn't surprise me that that could've happened years ago, for whatever reason. The whole Salem Witch Trials is a prime example of people's ignorance. The reader starts off not knowing what the lottery actually is, but hints are dropped throughout the story, i.e. gathering of stones. The tension slowly builds in the reader, as well as the characters. The story plays the ending perfectly, leaving the reader to contemplate what happens to Tessie - is she stoned to death, is there a limit on time, is it a sacrifice, etc. Steve Lastuka |
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gbergman Officer Posts: 1 |
posted 05-31-2004 00:22
This was the first time I had read the short story of "The Lottery" and it was a very sad and frightning story to me. The author Shirley Jackson put a great twist on the story It made me wonder the whole time if it was real and if there was a such thing as bad luck. Mrs Hutchinson was the one person from the start that didn't agree with it, and others stated that the surrounding towns were going away from the lottery but the old timers were so used to it that it became a part of their life. The saddest part of the story for me was to hear that even little Davy had been given stones to toss at his mother. The ending left me questioning why? What is this reason they were still doing the lottery or why was it even started? Gordon Bergman [This message has been edited by gbergman (edited 05-31-2004).] |
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espringer1 Officer Posts: 1 |
posted 07-11-2004 12:00
I had never seen or read The Lottery until today when I viewed the required video for class. Wow, talk about disturbing! I had heard that there was something sad about it, but I never expected that - sacrificing human for there to be a good harvest!! How inhumane! I guess they were right when they said in Jackson's bio, " she was a talented and UNIQUE writer." I guess she's right when she wants to reveal disturbing insights and observations about man. Her gift was not to create a world of fantasy, but to discover the existence of the grotesque in the ordinary world. The most disturbing part of the scene was when little Davy was given rocks to throw at his own mother!! The moods went from joyous to "let's get this over with." Erica Springer |
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Kim Feltt unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 07-19-2004 14:45
While reading "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, I was very confused. It started out creating a descriptive atmosphere of such a beautiful wonderful day, and then brought about a lot of anticipation. Throughout the beginning of the reading, I felt as if something was going to happen that was good. As I progressed further into the story I started thinking that maybe this lottery was for a military draft or something of the sort. I couldn't believe what the outcome was. Inhumane, inappropriate, unnecessary torture was displayed and I didn't even think about this being a possibility throughout the entire reading. My emotions were very anticipating throughout the story, and when I got to the end it was just like I was going to get sick. Despite the plot of the story, I did think that Shirley Jackson used some excellent descriptive measures to set the scene of the event about to take place. The way she described the black put a very accurate picture into my mind. |
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Kim Bogan unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 07-22-2004 21:57
I have to say I have never heard of "The Lottery" and reading it left me with mixed emotions. I was getting impatient because it was a little long and anxious because I did not know what the lottery was. I thought I was missing something but after reading some of the responses, I realized I had to read till the end. I thought it was quite odd that with the lottery being so de-humanizing, they keep coming back to participate. I wish she would had went into the lottery a little more so I could see the meaning of it but I guess it was not part of the story. I will admit that this is not a forgetable story. |
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clee unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 07-26-2004 20:27
I remember watching “The Lottery” on television when I was younger. It was pretty shocking back then. I didn’t find it as bad when I read it because I was trying hard to analyze the writing. Jackson gets us interested in the lottery by making the townspeople seem like our neighbors or us. She does this by telling us about some of the characters. The atmosphere that she sets at first with the school children seems to be of something exciting like a picnic or parade. And then it starts to shift when the box is carried out. Then everyone seems to be a little edgy. There are only two people who even mention how other towns are not having the lottery anymore. And one of these was right up front when the stoning began. Maybe because he hadn’t drawn the black spotted paper. This story makes me think how I would react if I were there. |
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Jennifer unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 07-26-2004 21:29
I followed the link to "Reviews in the Works of Shirley Jackson." From there, under "Resources on the Web," I clicked on the "House and Guardians" link, which lead me to a critical essay about her. Of interest was the following statement: "Ms Jackson was often described as a New England witch. It made wonderful copy to say she wrote with a broomstick for a pen, kept six black cats and believed she had caused the accident of an enemy by making a wax image of him with a broken leg. That story was told in her obituary by a friend, the critic Brendan Gill. But for the books, it were perhaps better to call her a sorcerer, because sorcery is the process of manipulating a person's beliefs." The essay also went on to say that she was a wife and mother to several children, as well as the fact that she always put those obligations ahead of her writing. I like the fact that her works, as well as her life, have a mysterious appeal, which seems, for the most part, to be respected. When it comes to The Lottery, I like how it takes an unexpected turn in the end. The pre-conceived idea that what is about to happen is good, is certainly aided by vivid images of happiness, which are painted in the beginning. As well, there is the symbolism of winning something via possessing the right piece of paper, which is portrayed as positive, instead of negative, until the end. In addition, skillful and crafty diction is used to create certain feelings as though you know the characters well and are standing right there with them. There is also a feeling of deep sadness that sweeps over you, when the huge misconception is revealed to you. The story is definitely the direct opposite of ones where the good guy prevails in the end, which I think most people tend to like to see. |
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kprice3 unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 07-28-2004 14:23
"The Lottery", was a great short story that had a great twist for an ending. She sets the atmosphere that gives a grand illusion of a wonderful day in a small village. I really liked how she draw the read into believing the lottery was a good thing. Her deception reminds me of Sylvia Nasar's book "A Beautiful Mind". In which the author has you believe the main Character is interacting with other people, but they turn out to only be delusions. The ending was a little barbaric, but it leaves the question of why they even do the lottery. |
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rkellams unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 07-29-2004 13:14
I was really taken by this short story. It's very unpredictable and it sent chills down my spine. It really seems pointless to brutally kill someone for what seems no reason. The way the lottery was conducted was something else I thought was odd. The man's number was picked, and his family had to repick, and in the end it was his wife. Why didn't they just pick him to get stoned since it was his number that was pulled? This story was easy to read because of the suspense it gave. I really was shocked at the end. |
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ddolan unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 07-29-2004 17:36
The short stoy of "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson left me bewildered. I live in a small New England town, not a very large population, so when I began reading of the townspeople gathering I pictured folks from around here and their families, the moms, dads, kids. And then the powerful people in the town, the folks who ran the lottery. The village is similar to probalby any town USA, except population size, theyre ws a bank, post office, coal business, school. Women were housewives, men spoke of 'tractors and taxes". Tradition of having the lottery seemed quite innocent at first. Picturing the women in faded dresses gathering around and the men were depicted to be 'better' than the women, social classes, they controlled the town where the women did not. Seems there were rules of participation - the children were raised to be 'socialized' to the lottery. I wonder if she wasn't trying to express the insanity of the violent occurences in society during her time. And some traditions should die out even though to change a tradition is difficult. |
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mleimberg unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 08-01-2004 11:50
Wow. Is all that I can really say. That was an amazing piece of writing. Shirley Jackson really captivates her readers. I enjoyed reading The Lottery. The writer had me hooked with the black box, there was some sort of hidden meaning that kept me reading. I was horrified with the ending of the piece, however it was a great work of art. |
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Vincennes University unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 08-04-2004 20:52
This is the third time that I have read The Lottery for a class. Each time that I read this story I still have to same reaction that I had the very first time I read it, surprise and horror at the human race. This story really shows just how cruel humans can be to each other. It also shows that just because some traditions are present they should not always be acted upon. This story I think has multiple meanings and content in much of the story line. I think that it definatley shows how men are expected to step up for a family and that it is hard for people to change their ways. I also thought that it was horrible that Davey was given a stone that was used to stone his own mother to death. This story also shows that even those who are closet to you can turn on you in your hour of need. I think Jackson shows an interesting view of the human race and how it interacts with one another. |
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Sarah unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 08-05-2004 11:48
quote: |
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Sarah unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 08-05-2004 11:49
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson began by establishing a vivid picture of a lovely day, followed by a great deal of anticipation. The scene was just to good to be true, it appeared to be just another normal day. Regardless of the picture perfect scene, I had an awful feeling and come to find out…it was right. I cannot even fathom this happening in today’s society. What an awful thing to do. Despite the ending of the story, Jackson did use some exceptional explanatory writing to set the background. The way she described children scurrying about and preparing for the day put a very accurate picture into my mind. Although I would have never guessed that the stones were to be used to stone people to death. In spite of the twisted, barbaric ending it was an interesting story. |
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jwhitten unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 08-13-2004 17:22
I feel "The Lottery" was a terrifying story about how people sought for a perfect society at the expense of people's lives. I read it when I was younger and it actually frightened me pretty bad. It opened my eyes so much to how people let wrong go on, and though they may have disagreed they did nothing to stop it. How often do I see this in every day life. Things can often start to change with the initiative of one person, but it takes many people to see the change through. |
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Linda Crecelius unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 08-13-2004 23:45
This is the first time that I have read "The Lottery." I was surprised and shocked at the ending. I thought from the beginning that the Lottery would be something good, a prize to be won not someone getting stoned. I asked myself why would the people gather when something so horrible was going to happen. |
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kendall peters unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 08-24-2004 20:36
quote: I am 59 years old and I have never heard of or read one of Shirley Jacksons stories. When I started reading the lottery I immediately realized that this village was gathering to chose one of their own to murder. She was able to paint the picture of this small village gathering on a beautiful day for a village lottery. The old man kept talking about tradition but what tradition? What started this? Why did they continue? These are all unanswered questions as far as I am concerned. She was able to show the cruelty of the human race when they were not the ones on the receiving end. I felt that this was a very dark story and I really don't care if I read another story by her or not. |
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mlengacher unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 08-26-2004 12:22
SHOCKING! Wow I would have never expected this writting to end in such a chilling way. All throughout the story everything seems so happy. They had a wonderful community that all gathered for the lottery and everyone knew how to line up such as the children first and then the adults. Then it ends horridly with murder. I don't know if I would read any other writings by Shirley Jackson however, I do think she did a splendid job at writing descriptively. She made you feel as if you were a part of the community. |
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Patrick unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 09-06-2004 12:39
This was the first time that I had ever read "The Lottery" so it was hard to follow at times. At first I just it was going to be a lottery to win money just we have still do this day. But when I was done reading it I found out that the person name who was called, they would be stoned in order for the farmers to have a good harvest. The story went into great about some things but other didn't which making it hard to understand at times. |
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Paul Hutchinson unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 10-01-2004 21:49
I studied this story 40 years ago. I took it seriously. I now see The Lottery as an invitation from Shirley Jackson to share remoteness, alienation, and superiority with her. Artists have loved remote superiority since WW1. Are artists an untitled aristocracy? phutch@vaxxine.com |
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George Blalack unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 10-05-2004 16:23
First off, I grew up throwing stones as a child, selecting carefully their shape, size, and weight. I used them for skipping across still waters, for distance, and traditionally for hitting the target. As soon as I read about the pile of stones and the Bobby Martin loading up his pockets I realized the purpose of the Lottery. There seems no reason in the modern village to have a Lottery. The people have forgotten the reason, much as they have forgotten the original Black Box. No written instructions guide the townsfolk, just verbal tradition. If stoning the victim leads to some major benefit to the townsfolk, such as paying off the Ogre who lives on the hill to spare the town for a full year, there may be relevance in the storyline. Instead, it signifies the senseless violence that we learn from our parents. We strike out at others because it was done so in our past. In the musical South Pacific there is a set of lyrics that go: You’ve got to be taught / Before it’s too late / Before you are six / Or seven, or eight / To hate all the people / Your relatives hate; / You’ve got to be carefully taught. I think that Shirley Jackson was saying exactly the same thing, with the same tongue in cheek intent. The symbolism is heavy underlining the violence that we see daily without rhyme or reason. |
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Gerri Renz unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 10-30-2004 15:15
Never having read "The Lottery" before I thought it was going to be a story about a town lottery where money was given away buy the luck of the draww, not knowing until the end of the story it wasn't about money at all. I felt the author lacked the element of suprise in revealing the premise of the lottery. |
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Laurene unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 10-31-2004 07:30
quote: Linda, I am trying to contact you about our common ancestors, but your email address is outdated. Please go to one of your old postings and email me. |
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Amanda Dreiman unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 11-01-2004 17:56
I had never read "The Lottery" before. When I first started reading it I thought it was going to be about a town that got together annually and someone won a bunch of money. And it didn't come out and say it until the end what the lottery was all about. I personally thought it was really cruel. But Shirley Jackson did a wonderful job of writing the story. ~Amanda Dreiman |
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Nancy Gleckler unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 11-06-2004 19:09
When I watched the video which contained the story of the "The Lottery" (first time reading or viewing) I became uneasy when the feeling of 'liberty sat uneasily on the school children out for the summer.' Ths is not normal behavior for school children. Then the theme changed to the children gathering stones and then having gathered a great pile of stones. I knew at this time the atmosphere of the story was going to change. What seemed to be a summer gathering of the townspeople did not set the true tone of the story. Though I don't understand Ms. Jackson's point of view in writing this short story, it does contain the universal theme of 'man's inhumanity to man.' "The Lottery" is such an example of a programed society acutually thinking 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon' is true. |
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ljackson8 unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 11-10-2004 14:52
This story was barbaric. I was on an emotionl rollercoster when I read this. At first when I read the story before the plot unfolded,I thought that the character were civilized. After the plot unfolded I was upset that the author made the characters seem like nice people. She should have made them be the evil creatures that were. Even though the author did not give the complete ending I know that she was stoned. I can not believe that they had her son, the peroson whom she gave birth to participate in such a cruel act. This story reminded me of hot topic in two thousand. An African woman was stoned to death by her village because she was accused of being unfaithful to her husband. Therefore the plot of this story was actually happened in real life and that is why this story touched me. |
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chris sampson unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 11-15-2004 19:42
I have never read the Lottery before that I can recall. This story has a definite twist to its ending. I assumed that the lottery would be about either farming land or seed that was being rationed or maybe even some type of monitary reward for the winner of the lottery. I had no idea that it was about a tradition of a sacrifice made by the townspeople. There is definitely lots of symbolism in this story although I didn't find it to be very interesting. |
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Jday unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 11-16-2004 18:00
I remember this tale from high school. I found it quite odd at fisrt, but I read it again and found that it isn't really different from today's society in a sense. |
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ldehrerwendt unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 11-18-2004 22:46
"The Lottery" reminded me of something out of "The Twilight Zone" or something written by Stephen King. I live in Minnesota and when the stakes are high enough I play the Powerball Lottery. The winner literally can take in over $100 million. In Shirley Jackson's lottery the stakes are high, too. This is an incredibly tightly written and tightly woven story without a wasted word. She includes the four basic elements of a good short story: atmosphere, characterization, theme and plot. The Atmosphere is the mood of feeling of the work, more than a description, but also includes the feelings of the narrator and a foreshadowing of events to come. And you can picture the atmosphere -- a sunny warm summer day "all is well in the world." Characterization is the people in the story and can be seen in their actions, dialogue and descriptions. Here there are boisterous children; men talking about farming and taxes; in other words common, ordinary small town folks. The Theme equals the universal meaning. Here there is the conflict between the old die-hards who want to hold onto the lottery versus the youth who talk about giving it up. Shirley Jackson's The Lottery shows the pointless violence and society’s inhumanity in the guise of tradition. The Plot or storyline was absolutely amazing almost demanding that you reread it. With a short story, you must make your point quickly and effectively. Unlike the novel, there is no time for digression or extended treatment of characters and situations. You have to act quickly. Shirley Jackson wove all four elements so tightly, this is one of the best short stories I have ever read. |
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S. Albertson unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 11-19-2004 00:43
In "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, the story was quite different than what I expected. I believe that she told the story well until the end. She lacked meaning and detail at the end of the story to enhance the death from stoning. Throughtout the story, you would never expect he end. She did use good detail with the black box, the village people awaiting and being nervous. Again, I think it would have added to the story with the telling of more concerns or emotions at the end. |
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Brandy T. unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 11-19-2004 13:45
I have read the lottery before, but hadn't read it in awhile,so I read it again. The lottery is well written, but it is very bizarre. It fills you with suspense as to who will win, but you suspect it to be a good outcome. The end is really ironic and distrubing. |
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Jeremy Garrett unregistered Posts: 1 |
posted 11-22-2004 19:51
I found "The Lottery" to be very disturbing tale of the inhuman manner in which people can often carry out horrific acts in the name of tradition. Jackson did a wonderful job of setting the atmosphere of the story by describing the events, people, and the manner in which they carried out the actions described within the story. The symbolism surrounding the black box, a box that no one seemed to care about, was a powerful symbol of a tradition that no one could escape. The image Jackson was able to create in describing the people of the story made for an interesting scene of a crowd who seemed both frightened and excited by such a inhuman tradition. |
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