The_Truth_Of_Tradition

The Truth Of Tradition In the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, the author uses irony to expand on a theme of traditions that continue although they are ludicrous and barbaric. The characters are honoring a tradition that is handed down to them from former generations. The reader is led through the seemingly normal and quaint little village, and is taken on a ride of ironic horror as he or she slowly grasps the eventual fate of one inhabitant of the village. Shirley Jackson also uses symbolism to make us aware of the pointless nature of humanity regarding tradition and violence. The title "The Lottery" implies a contest with a winner of some kind, like a sweepstakes. When in reality, the “Lottery” is not about what is won but what is lost. The mood of the story at first seems almost festive. Then in small, but telling glimpses we are told that the men are smiling rather than laughing at the jokes, and the conversation among the bystanders turns to murmurs as the town official, Mr. Summers arrived in the square, carrying the "black box." Then the good-natured folk keep their distance and Mr. Summers must ask for help. There tradition, lottery, seems, mr, death, villagers, tessie, one, way, time, story, over, ironic, hutchinson, comes, village, summers, reader, name, lost, living, life, jackson, implies, graves, even, choose, box, black, winner, warner, villages, square, shirley, role