The black box, where all of the names are held and drawn from on the day of the lottery, symbolizes more than one aspect of tradition. ... It's quite odd that even though no one knew the actual origin of the black box, the townspeople were very hesitant to change what they saw as an essential part of the lottery tradition. Although it was becoming tattered and worn out with paint missing, wood chipping, and having stains, no one "liked to upset as much tradition as was represented by the black box." Even though the black box didn't serve a real purpose to the lottery, the t...

• Word Count: 663
• Approx Pages: 3

And someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles" (Jackson 5). ... Finally, Jackson uses a black box as a symbol to illustrate the recurring practices in the community. This black box has many meanings to it, and one of the most significant meanings is that it has not been replaced. The same black box is described with its repetitive use, just like a repetitive tradition that is carried out. ... Altering the black box would create conflict between keeping a tradition, and making a positive change. ...

• Word Count: 1068
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Then unexpectedly her family gets the paper with the black dot, and Mrs. ... Another example of irony in the story is when the author stated " The children had stones already, and someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles." ... The author also uses the black box to set an uneasy mood when she says" "the stool was put in the center of the square and Mr. Summers set the black box down on it. ... They seem to be scared of what the box represents, a symbol of bad luck. ...

• Word Count: 648
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Although the lottery may be a little morally unjust, it is still a tradition and traditions are hard to break. ... As this is taking place a black box is brought out. This box is described as shabby and which, " grew shabbier each year; by now it was no longer completely black but with splinters badly along one side- (269). ... Summer's idea of a replacement box because this will disrupt the order of the lottery. They are conditioned to relate the original black box with the lottery. ...

• Word Count: 814
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Summers carrying a black box. Black is usually a symbol of death or unpleasantness. ... As the Hutchinson family draws paper the crowd looks on somberly and girls are heard saying they hope it's not the little girl. ... Hutchinson is has the paper with the black mark. Once again the color black is used to as a symbol of what is to come. ...

• Word Count: 1053
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Summers carrying a black box. Black is usually a symbol of death or unpleasantness. ... As the Hutchinson family draws paper the crowd looks on somberly and girls are heard saying they hope it's not the little girl. ... Hutchinson is has the paper with the black mark. Once again the color black is used to as a symbol of what is to come. ...

• Word Count: 1119
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Summers set the black box on it"(272). ... The black box that was placed on top of the stool was also a symbol. ... The black box foreshadows that something bad is going to happen. Inside that black box were slips of paper and one had a black dot on it. ... For instance, little Davy Hutchinson was the son of the winner of the lottery. ...

• Word Count: 1086
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Playing as such shows little or no feelings of sadness or anxiety. ... Also used is the black box that they draw the tickets from. This box represents the traditions of the town and the sole purpose of the lottery. The characters in the story are so resistant to change that they refuse to build a new box. Even the current box is built from pieces of the old one. ...

• Word Count: 654
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

He is described as friendly and happy man who conducts the lottery but on the contrary is the one who holds the box that contains the dot of death. The box itself is a symbol in which represents the tradition of the lottery and the villagers illogic loyal to it. The box is falling apart and is no longer black due to its usage and the villagers are unwilling to replace it. ... Graves takes little Davie Hutchinson's paper from his hand and holds it for him, "Dave stood next to him and looked at him wonderingly"(294). This was probably was little Davie's first introduction to...

• Word Count: 705
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Also, their attitude toward the black box that holds the slips of paper was one of indifference. "The black box grew shabbier each year; by now it was no longer completely black but splintered badly along one side to show the original wood color, and in some place faded or stained." ... Relief is understandable, but wouldn't the majority of people be a little bit upset knowing that they had to stone their own mother to death? ...

• Word Count: 717
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Although, in retrospect, there is some hints earlier in the story such as "stone" and people's feeling that tells a little bit about the outcome of the story. ... In a tranquil, calm and happy little village, there is an annual lottery. ... Also, when the black box is brought in, the mood and atmosphere of the residents noticeably change. A "murmur of conversation"(256) rolls through the crowd, and when the lottery official asks for help carrying the box, there "s a "hesitation"(256) before two men step forward to assist him. ...

• Word Count: 643
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

The whole tradition of the drawing slips of paper from a black wooden box has its roots in ancient history and people already forgot the original reason of it. ... The slip of paper with a black point finally ends in the hands of Tessie Hutchinson. ... But in this case he is not successful because of disagreement of those people who believe that the present box had been made with some pieces of the original box which had been constructed by people who established their village. ... Jackson, New Yorker, 1948, p. 3) In the middle: "And now we`ve got to be hurrying a little more to get done...

• Word Count: 2043
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

Word travels fast the Bill Hutchinson has the black dot. ... When they open their papers, they find that Tessie has now drawn the paper with the black dot on it. ... Summers says, "Little late today, folks" (Jackson, Pg.1). ... Tessie then is granted another chance to pick again from The Lottery and ironically she is the final one to pull the dreaded black dot. ... Lastly, the narrator then says, "Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones" (Jackson, Pg. 4). ...

• Word Count: 1400
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School