The Lottery (Magill Book Reviews)
At a glance:
- Author: Shirley Jackson
- First Published: 1948
- Type of Work: Short Story
- Genres: Psychological fiction, Short fiction, Domestic realism, Satire, Gothic fiction, Parable, Suspense
- Subjects: Racism, Gender roles, Psychology or psychologists, Marriage, 1940’s, Prejudices or antipathies, Alienation, Manners or customs, Reality, Victims, Small-town life, Human behavior, Rites or ceremonies, Lotteries, Festivals
- Locales: New England
This story is probably one of the best-known in 20th century American literature--not necessarily because it is philosophically profound or artistically excellent, but because its conclusion catches the reader unaware and horrifies him or her with its barbarity.
At first, one expects the usual convention of a lottery--that someone will win a desirable prize. However, as the reader progresses into the story, ominous details suggest that more is at stake. When Tessie Hutchinson draws the unlucky token and objects that “It wasn’t fair,” the townspeople urge her to be a good...
[The entire page is 768 words long]
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