... . She shows signs of selfishness and defeat, and will do anything she can not to be stoned. The Lottery is a horrifying but exciting short story written a few years after World War II. When the story was first published in 1948, the initial responses from the readers were shocking to Shirley Jackson. The readers were outraged and confused, and wanted answers fast. Miriam Friend was a frequent reader of ... please send us a brief explanation before my husband and I scratch right through our scalps trying to fathom it?" This was one of the many irritated letters that the editor and Shirley...

• Word Count: 827
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

What Happens In The Lottery Shirley Jackson wrote "The Lottery" in 1948 about a village that held strongly to the traditions of former generations. "Her short story generated more mail at The New Yorker, where it was published, than any other short story ever had"(Kosenko). The story was carefully printed so that the last paragraphs were not seen in advance. "The majority of the letters writers was shocked by the ending of the story, and ... was disturbed by the ... ...

• Word Count: 1163
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

"The Lottery" The publication of Shirley Jackson's short story, "The Lottery," resulted in quite a stir, upsetting many people. Many readers furious and stunned sent numerous letters of complaints and objections after the story was published in The New Yorker. "The Lottery" portrays the dark side of human nature. Jackson claims that she wrote the story primarily to illustrate an example that even ordinary individuals have the ability to do ... Although much of the lottery tradition has been forgotten, the basics have remained the same. The lottery still takes place each year on the same day,...

• Word Count: 940
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School