... was a slight twist with this lottery, and the person who picked the paper with coal on it got the lucky prize of being stoned to death. The lottery itself functions symbolically to show how mindless rituals and traditions work to promote and reinforce gender-based stereotypes. First of all, the lottery in this town existed not because it was enjoyable, but it was because ... , old man Warner said, "There's always been a lottery" (135). This shows the town's lack of ability to change over time. No person in the town would stand up and say that this ritual was absurd. Instead a person woul...

• Word Count: 761
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... . "The Lottery" clearly expresses Jackson's feelings concerning human kind's evil nature hiding behind traditions and rituals. Having said that it shows tradition, symbolism and settings. How could people live a life like that? Ms. Jackson shows how cold-hearted and lack of compassion in people can be when affected by traditions and rituals. In "The Lottery" tradition was exposed. Jackson gave a very cheerful ... of the characters in the story, for example are Mr. Summers, Tessie Hutchinson and Mr. Graves. Even tough Mrs. Delacroix seems to be a friend to Mrs. Hutchinson it is she who is...

• Word Count: 556
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... the back of a reader's mind towards the destructive yet blind rituals of mankind. "The Lottery" clearly expresses Jackson's feelings concerning mankind's evil nature hiding behind traditions and rituals. She shows how coldness and lack of compassion in people can exhibit in situations regarding tradition and values. Jackson presents the theme of the short story with the use of symbols and setting ... play and their talk still of the classroom" (310). Men and women are gathered in the center of the town talking about farming and taxes or into gossip. The date of the story is June twenty-...

• Word Count: 895
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School