The Lottery Symbolism Analysis
When reading and analyzing literature, symbols play a vital role to help the reader communicate with the central message of the story. In “The Lottery,” Shirley
Jackson uses several symbolic features. For example, the title and the black box represents how society plays a role in the short story. Understanding the poem, Shirley Jackson uses the black box and the title to define the society conditions in which the people are living.
The black box in “The Lottery” provides the reader with an insight to keep people in one certain path. The townspeople are attached to the idea that there will be no change with the black box and in tradition. In the fifth paragraph Shirley Jackson writes: “The original paraphernalia for the lottery had been lost long ago, and the …show more content…
The title itself has a meaning behind it. A lottery can be similarly compared to life. Life can end in a matter of seconds, as Mrs. Hutchison in “The Lottery.” After being late to the ceremony, Mrs. Hutchison did not expect to be the chosen one.“ The Lottery” creates tension of Mrs. Hutchinson from the beginning of the shorty until she is stoned to death. At the end of the short story, Shirley writes: “’It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,’ Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her” (268). After analyzing the symbolism in the story, the reader can conclude that Mrs. Hutchinson was chosen from 300 people unluckily just like life is, no one knows when nor where life will end.
Overall, Shirley Jackson describes the black box as “shabby and old” (264). However, the black box and the title are important to notice as a symbol to represent the central message of “The Lottery.” At the beginning of the story, Shirley represents Mrs. Hutchison as a normal person. Then, the author achieves a successful, well-written story of her being stoned to death by an unlucky choice of a black box. Therefore, it is foremost to include symbolism in short stories to understand the full meaning of
Jackson uses several symbolic features. For example, the title and the black box represents how society plays a role in the short story. Understanding the poem, Shirley Jackson uses the black box and the title to define the society conditions in which the people are living.
The black box in “The Lottery” provides the reader with an insight to keep people in one certain path. The townspeople are attached to the idea that there will be no change with the black box and in tradition. In the fifth paragraph Shirley Jackson writes: “The original paraphernalia for the lottery had been lost long ago, and the …show more content…
The title itself has a meaning behind it. A lottery can be similarly compared to life. Life can end in a matter of seconds, as Mrs. Hutchison in “The Lottery.” After being late to the ceremony, Mrs. Hutchison did not expect to be the chosen one.“ The Lottery” creates tension of Mrs. Hutchinson from the beginning of the shorty until she is stoned to death. At the end of the short story, Shirley writes: “’It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,’ Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her” (268). After analyzing the symbolism in the story, the reader can conclude that Mrs. Hutchinson was chosen from 300 people unluckily just like life is, no one knows when nor where life will end.
Overall, Shirley Jackson describes the black box as “shabby and old” (264). However, the black box and the title are important to notice as a symbol to represent the central message of “The Lottery.” At the beginning of the story, Shirley represents Mrs. Hutchison as a normal person. Then, the author achieves a successful, well-written story of her being stoned to death by an unlucky choice of a black box. Therefore, it is foremost to include symbolism in short stories to understand the full meaning of