... establish a normal, comfortable setting for the story. The children are doing what all-typical kids do, playing boisterously and gathering rocks. The women of the town are doing what all-stereotypical females do, "exchanging bits of gossip." The men are being average males by chatting about boring day-to-day tasks like " ... and when the lottery official asks for help carrying the box, there's a "hesitation" before two men step forward to assist him. More and more the town's peculiarity begins to become apparent. For example, the names of certain residents hint at the irony and unfavora...

• Word Count: 926
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... . As civilized, ethical, and dignified human begins we have the right to criticize the traditions in society because we are the society. Looking at society from our own experiences and pass judgments, there is a point where a line must be drawn and wasting of human life is that line. This tale of a ... and having fun, the kids gathered stones and put them into a pile. When the men and women arrived, they brought with them a less jovial tone. Jackson mentions the pile of stones at the beginning of the selection and how the older people distance themselves from it. She explains, "They stood...

• Word Count: 746
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... much as we would like to believe that men and women are viewed as equals in our society, often times we are disappointed. As is the case in Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery." "The Lottery" describes a town's people who gathered on an ordinary summer day to perform a sacrificial ceremony dubbed the lottery ... any more, live that way for a while." The male supremacy in relation to productivity is more apparent as the end of the lottery draws near and the town's people are wondering who won, "Suddenly, all the women began to speak at once, saying, "Who is it?" "Who's got it?" "I...

• Word Count: 1263
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... uses disturbing images to aid the reader in understanding the pointlessness and foolishness of blind obedience. The story begins with young children gathering in the town square. They are laughing, playing, and generally having fun doing things that children do. Some of the children are gathering stones from the surrounding ... are and forming a mound of them together. Soon the men and women arrive, bringing with them a less jovial tone. The villagers make small talk laughing quietly amongst one another while at the same time maintaining a slight seriousness. Jackson makes some use of f...

• Word Count: 822
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School