From the youngest age, important beliefs about others and their place in the community are passed on, including traditions and prejudices. In “The Lottery” (reprinted in Edgar V. Roberts, Henry E. Jacobs, Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, 6th ed. Upper Saddle, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000: 268-273) Little Davy Hutchinson is the person by whom Shirley Jackson shows that the importance of the lottery surpasses any one person, even the relationship between a mother and a little boy.

The story opens on a “clear and sunny” summer morning. Davy and the children are seen gathering stones, placing them in big piles on each corner of the square. The boys choose the “roundest and smoothest stones” (268) to be used, showing that this is a special occasion, not any regular stone will do. The boys begin to play little wars while they are waiting for the lottery to begin. This playful activity shows that what they are about to do is not out of the ordinary.

The families are units of the community. As a community, they participate in this annual event. The lottery is as much a part of their lives as “the square dances, the teen

Tradition defines who people are, and loss of tradition can change their identity. Giving up the lottery is seen as devolution. Devotion to the lottery is blind observance to a tradition that they no longer understand or remember the purpose of. Unquestionably, they follow the rituals to their deadly conclusion. The lottery is in effect the great equalizing force, making certain that no one person is more important than the traditions of the community. Through the lottery fear of change, prejudice, and blind obedience are passed down from generation to generation. Even the most ethical and virtuous citizens have accepted as truth, these deadly practices and attitudes about themselves and others.

The community continues to guide Davy in his participation. Mr. Summers tells Davy to take “just one paper” (272). Harry Graves takes the paper from Davy and holds it for him. Davy’s wondering look emphasizes that he does not understand what will be the consequences of his action. The process of Davy choosing his own paper is important. The crowd is pleased that Davy has not pulled the black spot, since the children have as equal a chance to be stoned as the adults.

There is a strict hierarchy and order in the method of the lotte

Some topics in this essay:
Shirley Jackson, Davy Hutchinson, Harry Graves, Hutchinson Jackson’s, Prentice Hall, Reading Writing, davy hutchinson, little davy hutchinson, little davy, community community, warner’s words, passing tradition, own paper, tradition lottery, “the lottery”, Little Davy, importance lottery, lottery community,