The Lottery by Shirley Jackson | Summary & Analysis
Course Hero・12 minutes read
Residents of a small village gather for an annual lottery, with tension rising as Tessie Hutchinson is ultimately chosen and stoned to death by the villagers, highlighting the dark consequences of blind tradition and conformity.
Insights
- The story takes place in a small village during an annual lottery where the selection process involves drawing lots, leading to the stoning of a chosen individual, emphasizing the extreme consequences of blind tradition and societal conformity.
- The narrative unfolds with a gradual build-up of tension as the lottery progresses, highlighting the resistance from characters like Tessie Hutchinson against the unfairness of the tradition, ultimately culminating in a shocking and brutal outcome that challenges the reader's perception of community rituals and their impact on individuals.
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Recent questions
What is the setting of the story?
Small village on June 27th
Who officiates the annual lottery?
Mr. Summers
What is the significance of the black wooden box?
Contains the slips for the lottery
Who is ultimately chosen during the lottery?
Tessie Hutchinson
What is the outcome of the lottery for the Hutchinson family?
Stoned to death by villagers
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Summary
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"Annual lottery in small village ends tragically"
- The story is set in a small village on June 27th, where about 300 residents gather for the annual lottery at 10 a.m.
- Children gather stones, men chat, and women gossip as they await the start of the lottery officiated by Mr. Summers with a 77-year-old black wooden box.
- Records list heads of families before the lottery begins, with the postmaster swearing in Mr. Summers as the official.
- Tessie Hutchinson arrives late, jokingly explaining her tardiness, and the rules are explained by Mr. Summers.
- Tension rises as the lottery commences, with old man Warner criticizing the younger generation and the lottery's significance.
- In the climax, Bill Hutchinson is selected, leading to Tessie's outcry about fairness and the final round involving the Hutchinson family.
- The Hutchinson family draws lots, with Tessie ultimately chosen, revealing a black dot on her slip.
- The villagers, including the Hutchinson children, stone Tessie to death, showcasing the dark consequences of blind tradition and conformity.
