The Lottery | Themes

"The Lottery" focuses on Tessie Hutchinson, a woman who is stoned to death by members of her village.

Violence and Cruelty
Violence is a major theme in "The Lottery." While the stoning is a cruel and brutal act, Jackson enhances its emotional impact by setting the story in a seemingly civilized and peaceful society. This suggests that horrifying acts of violence can take place anywhere at anytime, and they can be committed by the most ordinary people. Jackson also addresses the psychology behind mass cruelty by presenting a community whose citizens refuse to stand as...

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