The Lottery is a 1948 short story by Shirley Jackson that details the events of an annual lottery in a small, rural American village. The story demonstrates the dangers of blindly adhering to tradition and the consequences of irrational mob mentality. It also highlights the importance of rational thought and questioning societal norms.
Generally, financial lotteries involve participants paying a fee to be eligible to win large cash prizes. While they have been criticized as addictive forms of gambling, the money raised by them is often used for good causes in the public sector. Lotteries may be conducted for various reasons, including the allocation of public resources, such as housing units, school placements, or medical treatment. They can also be used to distribute goods such as automobiles or sports tickets.
The word “lottery” is derived from Middle Dutch loterie, which is a calque of Old French loterie, itself a calque of Latin litera or “letter” (literally “letter” in English). It is believed that a letter lottery was held in 1324 to settle property claims in the kingdom of Naples, Italy.
Jackson uses many symbols in the story to develop character and theme. One of the most recognizable is Mrs. Delacroix’s actions in picking a big stone, which she describes as being so large that it took two hands to hold. This action reflects her determination and temper. It is also an allusion to Anne Hutchinson, the American religious dissenter whose antinomian beliefs led to her excommunication from the Puritan community.
