A first-time reader of “The Lottery” often finds the ending a surprise. The festive nature of the gathering and the camaraderie of the townspeople as the lottery is conducted belie the horror that occurs at the conclusion of the tale. That is one of the tale’s strongest points. Another strength, however, is the skillful way in which Jackson prepares the careful reader for the denouement by including key details so that, on a second reading, one is assured that there is no trick being played on the reader.

Jackson is able to keep the reader off guard by making use of an objective, third-person narrative style in which details are presented but no judgments are made. It is almost as if one is seeing a film or observing events by looking over the shoulders of the participants, without being able to see into the minds of the people. Any hints of inner turmoil are merely suggested by the actions of the characters: a nervous lilt of the voice, a shuffling of feet, a whisper when normal speech would be appropriate. On the other hand, the description of outward actions and physical setting is direct and, when viewed in retrospect, contributes directly to the macabre climax toward which the story moves. The story opens with a scene of small children gathering stones. Townspeople remark about the absence of certain people. These are chilling foreshadowings of what is to come.

Jackson also makes use of symbolic names to give her story universal significance. “Summers” suggests the association with fertility rites. “Graves” signifies the notion of death that runs through the tale. “Warner” characterizes the voice of the past, warning the citizens of the town that breaking with tradition will have dire consequences. The roll call of townspeople goes through the alphabet—Adams to Zanini. Finally, the choice of New England as a setting will suggest to those familiar with history the notion of witchcraft, for which almost two dozen people were put to death in 1692. These and other details help raise “The Lottery” from a simple tale of terror to a study of a universal human problem that persists in all times in one form or another.

Setting

Jackson sets the scene for "The Lottery" right at the story's onset. The event occurs on the morning of June 27th, a bright and delightful summer day, in the village square of a small town with roughly three hundred inhabitants. The atmosphere is depicted as serene and peaceful, with children playing and adults discussing everyday matters. This seemingly normal and cheerful setting starkly contrasts with the grim reality of the lottery. The story provides minimal clues about a specific time and place, a deliberate technique to highlight that such brutality could occur anywhere, at any time.

Narration

Jackson's narrative style, the method she uses to unfold the story's events, is often described as detached and impartial. Narrated from a third-person perspective, the storyteller is not a character within the tale. The objective tone, characterized by a lack of excessive emotionalism or elaborate description, underscores the ordinariness of the horrific act.

Symbolism

Jackson employs symbolism, a literary device where an object, person, or concept represents something else, throughout "The Lottery." For instance, the story is set on June 27, close to the summer solstice, one of the two days when the earth is farthest from the sun. Many ancient rituals occurred around the summer solstice, and by situating the lottery at this time, Jackson draws parallels to these archaic ceremonies. Another symbol in the story is the black box. Despite its age and dilapidation, the villagers are either unwilling or unable to replace it, much like their reluctance to cease participating in the lottery. Numerous critics have suggested that Jackson employs name symbolism extensively in the narrative. For example, Mr. Summers's name is said to symbolize cheerfulness, while Mr. Graves's name signifies doom. Delacroix, which means "of the cross" in French, alludes to sacrifice, referencing Jesus Christ's crucifixion.

Irony

Jackson also heavily utilizes irony, the contrast between appearance and reality, in "The Lottery." It's ironic that the story unfolds in a calm and peaceful setting because the actual events are brutal and violent. Additionally, it is ironic that the story is narrated in a straightforward and objective manner, as the narrative aims to evoke intense emotions and provoke moral questioning.

Parable

"The Lottery" is frequently described as a parable, a story designed to convey a moral lesson through characters representing abstract concepts. While the story lacks extensive character development, its shocking conclusion urges readers to contemplate the moral implications of the lottery and its relevance to society. Specific characters embody particular ideas: Old Man Warner symbolizes tradition and ritual, Mr. Summers represents joviality, Mr. Graves signifies tragedy, and so on. Jackson refrains from inserting any ethical commentary into the story, instead challenging readers to derive their own interpretations.

Gothicism

Gothic literature often includes elements such as horror, the supernatural, suspense, and violence. Although "The Lottery" does not explicitly describe Tessie's death in graphic detail, it is still regarded as a Gothic work due to the sense of horror it evokes in readers. Through Jackson's skillful use of suspense, readers remain unaware of the lottery's true consequences until the story's conclusion. Initially, readers might even believe that "winning" the lottery is a positive outcome. While some critics argue that Jackson intentionally misleads her audience with this approach, others praise it as an effective way to underscore the story's brutality. For instance, Robert B. Heilman remarked in Modern Short Stories: A Critical Anthology: "Suddenly, in the midst of this ordinary, matter-of-fact environment, there occurs a terrifying cruel action."