The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson, is a story that shows how old traditions can be pointless and harmful. The story takes a close examination of what can happen when old out-dated traditions that no longer make sense. These traditions in the story are no longer needed for their society to function; they just end up causing unnecessary problems. In the story, the annual lottery is the old tradition and the result of this old tradition is the meaningless death of an innocent woman. The Lottery gives a good example of how following old traditions can bring harsh consequences. .
At the beginning, and throughout the story, the author sets a positive tone. The reader is meant to feel this by the imagery given in the description of the setting. It describes children running around and happily playing. People are gathering on a sunny summer day for what seems to be a joyous annual event. Instantly the reader is comfortably drawn in to a happy story. Then later on at the end, the reader is set up for an unsuspected and shocking ending that involves the stoning of an innocent woman by the people of the town. .
The town is described as being small, simple, and traditional. It is apparent that tradition is coveted in this small and simple town. The Citizens of the town are set in their ways. The town is mostly made up of farmers, which is generally considered the type of occupation that is old-fashioned. The Author uses farmers to show how customary this small town is. It is also an occupation that is passed down from one generation to the next. This is much related to the theme of tradition described in this story, old, and passed down by each generation.
Mr. Summers, the man who leads the lottery drawing, is a character who is afraid to break from tradition. He speaks frequently to the villagers about making a new box for the annual lottery. This shows that Mr.Summers wants to break from the old tradition, but is afraid of the consequences of change.
