Style & Theme in “The Lottery”

1. Style & Theme in “The Lottery”

2. Violence and cruelty • One of the major themes in “The Lottery” is the violent barbaric ritual committed by the community • Jackson enhances the emotional impact by creating a civilized and peaceful community for most of the story • This suggests that horrifying acts can take place anywhere at anytime • The community refuse to stand as individuals and instead unquestioningly take part in the horrible stoning of village members

3. Customs and traditions • Concerns about blindly following tradition and the negative consequences that may follow • Can you think of any out of date rituals, customs or traditions? • Jackson highlights this theme through the symbol of the black box-so worn, and old. One villager comments that other villages have done away with the lottery.

4. Setting • The setting takes place on a sunny June morning in the village square of a town of about 300. • The setting is described as peaceful, tranquil, children playing and adults chatting (normal routine) • This normal/happy setting is a stark CONTRAST to the brutal reality of the day • Few clues are given as to a specific time but this emphasizes that brutality and violence can take place anywhere

5. Point of View • The story is told in a detached objective point of view • The narrator does not participate in the story • The tone of objective point of view allows the story to be told without emotion and emphasizes the barbaric act

6. Symbolism • June 27th is near the summer solstice (many prehistoric rituals took place then) • Black box • Names? “Summers” could represent joviality, “Graves”= tragedy, “Delacroix”= of the cross (reference to Jesus).

7. Irony • Situation. The setting contrasted with the violent act of the ritual • Characters’ reactions “it’s not fair.” • Narrative style-it is objective but it meant to elicit emotions from the reader. • A lottery is generally positive (you win something).