Literary Essay - "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

Tradition and conventional practices are often considered the foundation of many cultures. These customs are established in order to conserve the original integrity of the society. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson tells the story of a small village, reliant on the ancient tradition of stoning one unlucky member of the community every summer. Although there is evidence that the lottery will continue indefinitely, there is evidence that the tradition will not last.

Despite the growth in discontent among citizens, there is sufficient evidence that the lottery will persevere. A tradition such has this one, having been practice as long has this one has, is difficult to overrule. In a community where tradition is of great value, rarely would anyone attempt to “upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box” (148), let alone tackle eliminating the ritual altogether. Elders of the village, such as Old Man Warner, are not quick to accept the changing times. Having grown old with the tradition, Warner expresses that “there’s always been a lottery” (152), implying that he believes there always will be. These beliefs have been instilled in the youth of the community as well, giving way to an equally brutal future.

               

                As humans evolve and times change, ceremonies similar to the lottery become less welcomed.  These traditions are seen as morally unacceptable and, in this particular situation, many begin talk of “giving up the lottery” (152). As less people find these traditions exhilarating, less people take them seriously. As a result, parts of the tradition are “forgotten or discarded” (149). Mr. Summers, the official of the lottery, ignores certain elements of the ceremony such as using wood chips to draw from the black box. By allowing small parts of the tradition much like this to collapse, the members of the community are allowing the eventual end of the entire tradition itself.

            Aside from the clues that suggest that the lottery will soon cease to exist, there is a strong belief that this ritual is essential to the functioning of the society. Though this event is considered morally wrong by many modern day cultures, the village described in the story is impartial to this immorality. The lottery has become an integral component of their lifestyle and is something that would not easily be resolved.

EVIDENCE IT WILL CONTINUE

·      “No one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box.” (148)

·      “But every year the subject was allowed to fade off without anything being done.” (148)

·      “There’s always been a lottery.” (152)

EVIDENCE IT WILL FALL

·      “Because so much of the ritual had been forgotten or discarded, Mr. Summers had been successful in having slips of paper substituted for the chips of wood that had been used for generations.” (149)

·      “Years and years ago this part of the ritual had been allowed to lapse” (149)

·      “Some places have already quit lotteries.” (152)