What does the lottery symbolize in the lottery?

The lottery represents any action, behavior, or idea that is passed down from one generation to the next that's accepted and followed unquestioningly, no matter how illogical, bizarre, or cruel. The lottery has been taking place in the village for as long as anyone can remember.

Accordingly, what is the purpose of the lottery in the lottery?

If the crops were good, that showed the human sacrifice was effective. If the crops were bad--then maybe they had sacrificed the wrong person. The purpose of the lottery remains a mystery because the author wanted to emphasize that the people were doing something outrageous without even knowing why they were doing it.

Secondly, what does the black dot symbolize in the lottery? Black is darkness, ignorance, evil, death. Just as the black box represents the community's refusal to move into a more enlightened age, thus sending Tessie Hutchinson to her death, the black spot represents the same ignorance it is Tessie Hutchinson's mark of death.

In this regard, what is the symbol of the lottery?

The most symbolic item that appears in “The Lottery” is the lottery box. This box is a symbol for those in the town because it is one of the only connections to the origin of the lottery. It has been used for as long as anyone can remember, but is not the original box.

What is the allegory of the lottery?

Shirley Jackson's “The Lottery” is an example of an allegory. “The Lottery” is an allegory that represents death and tradition in many ways. The little black box that contains the names to be drawn is in bad shape and should be replaced as mentioned by the narrator.

26 Related Question Answers Found

How does Old Man Warner feel about the lottery?

Old Man Warner, the oldest man in town, has participated in seventy-seven lotteries and is a staunch advocate for keeping things exactly the way they are. He believes, illogically, that the people who want to stop holding lotteries will soon want to live in caves, as though only the lottery keeps society stable.

What is the main theme of the lottery?

The main themes in “The Lottery” are the vulnerability of the individual, the importance of questioning tradition, and the relationship between civilization and violence.

What is the lottery based on?

The story describes a fictional small town in contemporary America, which observes an annual rite known as "the lottery", in which a member of the community is selected by chance to be stoned. It is implied in the story that the lottery is practiced to ensure the community's continued well being.

What does the box that holds the lottery tickets look like?

What does the box that holds the lottery "tickets" look like? It is a brass box, resembling a pirate's treasure chest. It is a shabby black box, splintered, faded and stained. It is a gold box covered in emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

Do the townspeople know the purpose of the lottery?

The exact purpose of the lottery held in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" is never explained. It seems like the lottery is so old that none of the townspeople can even remember why it began. The reader can see the town would be better off if they gave up the lottery.

Why is Tessie Hutchinson singled out as the winner in the lottery?

The ways that the characters differentiated is some wish to see someone die and others do not believe in the lottery. Tessie is singled out as the "winner" because she shouts at Mr. Summer claiming that he did not give Bill Hutchinson enough time.

What does Tessie symbolize in the lottery?

Expert Answers info

But, perhaps, as a symbol, Tessie stands for the oppressed woman in a male-dominated society. For one thing, in the arrangement of the lottery, women are assigned to the households of their husbands and are given little voice. And, it is the man who draws the slips: 'There goes my old man,' Mrs.

What is the symbolic meaning of the stones in the lottery?

The stones symbolize death, but also the villagers' unanimous support of the lottery tradition. Even as Tessie protests the drawing, the villagers collect their stones and move into throw them.

What do the names mean in the lottery?

The names Mr. Graves, Mr. Summers, and Mrs. Delacroix and other names have interesting meanings and the author, Shirley Jackson, uses them to foreshadow the story and tell what "The Lottery" really is. Martin and his oldest son, Baxter, came forward to hold the box steady on the stool") Of course, there's his name, Mr.

What does the stool symbolize in the lottery?

The three-legged stool represents the Christian Trinity. Each leg represents God the father, God the son, and the Holy Spirit. The three-legged stool holds the black box of death, which is ironic because the Christian Trinity represents purity and holiness, but the black box represents sin and evilness.

Who got the slip with a black spot?

Bill Hutchinson

What does the lottery teach us about the human experience?

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson The idea of winning a lottery is associated with luck, happiness and anticipation of good things. The irony of the story is that the winner of the lottery gets stoned to death by everyone else in the town. The story is very effective because it examines certain aspects of human nature.

Why was Tessie Hutchinson late?

Tessie Hutchinson. When Tessie Hutchinson arrives late to the lottery, admitting that she forgot what day it was, she immediately stands out from the other villagers as someone different and perhaps even threatening. Perhaps because she is a free spirit, Tessie is the only villager to protest against the lottery.

How does the lottery work in the story the lottery?

While the story of 'The Lottery' embodies several themes, its primary focus is a society's need to reexamine its traditions, especially if they are outdated and savage. The lottery appears to be a ritual sacrifice of a town citizen to ensure good crops, although the word 'sacrifice' is never used in the story.