A Patriarchal Society In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery
English composition II
The Lottery
A Patriarchal society
Evelyn Rookey
Elements in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, work together to reveal a theme of a Patriarchal Society through character traits and traditional customs. Paralleling the society during which time the story was written. It is my argument that Shirley Jackson was trying to show the gender roles of that time zone and the repercussions women suffered for seeking equality in the workforce, such as how women were perceived during the time the story was written.
Outline
I) Introductory paragraph
A) Children of the village and gender socialization
B) Wives and their husbands
C) Male preference
I) Children of the village and gender socialization
A) Boys and girls gender roles …show more content…
Shortly after the stones are collected, the men of the village begin to arrive. Followed behind by the women, who proceed to call their children to their sides after reaching their respectful husbands.
“Soon the men began to gather. Surveying their own children, speaking of planting and rain, tractors and taxes. They stood together, away from the pile of stones in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed. The women, wearing faded house dresses and sweaters, came shortly after their menfolk. They greeted one another and exchanged bits of gossip as they went to join their husbands. Soon the women, standing by their husbands, began to call to their children, and the children came reluctantly, having to be called four or five times. Bobby Martin ducked under his mother 's grasping hand and ran, laughing, back to the pile of stones. His father spoke up sharply, and Bobby came quickly and took his place between his father and his oldest brother.” (Jackson …show more content…
Dunbar said to her older son. I wish they’d hurry.”
‘They’re almost through,’ her son said.
’You get ready to run tell Dad,’ Mrs. Dunbar said.” (Jackson 36-38)
Horace means Timekeeper in Latin, this appropriate because of how Horace notes that the lottery is almost complete.
Another interesting individual would be the Watson boy, Jack, who is celebrated for his filling in for his family, which consists of his mother and himself. Jack symbolizes the high schoolers who were permitted to work during the war, he also represents the young men who had to take their father’s patriarchal position in the family if he should die in battle. Seeing as to how his father isn’t mentioned, and Jack states that he’s drawing for only his mother and himself, this image is clear.
“’Watson boy drawing this year?’
A tall boy in the crowd raised his hand. ‘Here,’ he said. ‘I’m drawing for my mother and me.’ He blinked his eyes nervously and ducked his head as several voices in the crowd said things like ‘Good fellow, Jack.’ and “Glad to see your mother’s got a man to do it.’” (Jackson
The Lottery
A Patriarchal society
Evelyn Rookey
Elements in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, work together to reveal a theme of a Patriarchal Society through character traits and traditional customs. Paralleling the society during which time the story was written. It is my argument that Shirley Jackson was trying to show the gender roles of that time zone and the repercussions women suffered for seeking equality in the workforce, such as how women were perceived during the time the story was written.
Outline
I) Introductory paragraph
A) Children of the village and gender socialization
B) Wives and their husbands
C) Male preference
I) Children of the village and gender socialization
A) Boys and girls gender roles …show more content…
Shortly after the stones are collected, the men of the village begin to arrive. Followed behind by the women, who proceed to call their children to their sides after reaching their respectful husbands.
“Soon the men began to gather. Surveying their own children, speaking of planting and rain, tractors and taxes. They stood together, away from the pile of stones in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed. The women, wearing faded house dresses and sweaters, came shortly after their menfolk. They greeted one another and exchanged bits of gossip as they went to join their husbands. Soon the women, standing by their husbands, began to call to their children, and the children came reluctantly, having to be called four or five times. Bobby Martin ducked under his mother 's grasping hand and ran, laughing, back to the pile of stones. His father spoke up sharply, and Bobby came quickly and took his place between his father and his oldest brother.” (Jackson …show more content…
Dunbar said to her older son. I wish they’d hurry.”
‘They’re almost through,’ her son said.
’You get ready to run tell Dad,’ Mrs. Dunbar said.” (Jackson 36-38)
Horace means Timekeeper in Latin, this appropriate because of how Horace notes that the lottery is almost complete.
Another interesting individual would be the Watson boy, Jack, who is celebrated for his filling in for his family, which consists of his mother and himself. Jack symbolizes the high schoolers who were permitted to work during the war, he also represents the young men who had to take their father’s patriarchal position in the family if he should die in battle. Seeing as to how his father isn’t mentioned, and Jack states that he’s drawing for only his mother and himself, this image is clear.
“’Watson boy drawing this year?’
A tall boy in the crowd raised his hand. ‘Here,’ he said. ‘I’m drawing for my mother and me.’ He blinked his eyes nervously and ducked his head as several voices in the crowd said things like ‘Good fellow, Jack.’ and “Glad to see your mother’s got a man to do it.’” (Jackson