The Lottery

1. Early in the story, the boys stuff their pockets with stones, foreshadowing the attack in the story's conclusion. What other examples of foreshadowing can you identify? Another foreshadow examples identified in the story is when Mr. Summers brought the black box in, everybody distance themselves from the stool, and even as he seeks help, “Some of you fellows want to give me a hand?” (416). There was still hesitation because of fear of unknown. Also when the lottery started and the first man “Adams” was called to pick a folded paper, as he passes by and greet Mr. Summers, “They grinned at one another humorlessly and nervously” (418). As he went back, he did hastily showing nervousness. Another foreshadow example was seen when Mr. Delacroix was called as his wife was panic, she held her breath and said “There goes my man” (419). Even when everyone already picked the folded paper, the men were holding the paper turning them over and over nervously. When the Hutchinson family was called to pick their own paper, Mrs. Hutchinson becomes panic and emotional as her family has the black slip, she becomes hysterical ”You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair” (419).

2. How does the contrast between the two sisters' appearances, personalities, lifestyles, and feelings about the quilts help to convey the story's theme? Dee and Maggi’s outlook are different. Maggi and their mother Mrs. Johnson both have different qualities and philosophies in life. They both are simple and valued culture and heritage for its usefulness as well as its personal significant by living and doing simple things in life. She rejects Dee’s materialistic connection to her heritage. Maggi is shy and passive similar to her mother’s believe about heritage, but Dee represent materialistic and modern way of life where culture and heritage are to be valued only for their artist appeal. She is ashamed of her