instance, when Bobby Martin, who has already "stuffed his pockets full of stones," runs back to the pile of stones, his father sharply beckons him to take his place between him and his oldest brother. Then, when Mr. Summers requests help with the black box that he brings with him, there is "a hesitation before two men...came forward"; furthermore, while Mr. Summers mixes the papers inside this box, the box is described as being so significant that it is kept in a safe the rest of the year.
     After the introduction of the black box into the narrative, the narrator mentions that there has been a "ritual" and ritualistic proceedings involving salutes and songs before each head of a household comes forward and draws from the box. But, as the "ritual" begins, people appear tense and nervous, saying that other towns have discontinued their lotteries. These details create further tension as they suggest that this ritual is not a pleasant one. Then, Mrs. Dunbar, whose husband has broken his leg, says "regretfully" that she must "fill in for the old man this year," and when Mr. Summers asks if the Watson boy is going to draw for his mother and himself, there is, ominously, no mention of Mr. Watson. Right before Mr. Summers begins to read off the names, "a sudden hush fell on the crowd." Tension increases as men move forward, but they grin at one another "humorlessly and nervously." Certainly, the actions and speech of Mrs. Hutchinson, who repeatedly protests that her husband's drawing was not fair, suggest that there is something sinister about this lottery. Finally, there is a powerful indication of the hideous intent of the lottery as Jackson writes,

Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones. The pile of stones the boys had made was ready....Mrs. Delacroix selected a stone so large she had to pick it up with two hands....

Still, it is not until the final sentence that the reader fully understands the purpose of the lottery.

Jackson's use of foreshadowing is powerful and well-played in The Lottery.  Yes, as discussed above, the beautiful day and the seemingly innocent gathering of stones by the boys (notice that it's the boys who gather stones - something we'd associate with boys, not girls), and the general harmonious mood of everyone, definitely lead us to believe that something wonderful is about to occur.  Further, Tessie Hutchinson's arrival and her seemingly scatterbrained attitude, mingled with excitement, further mislead the reader.  However, Jackson also gives us other clues - the predominance of black (the box, the black spot on the paper, even the names of certain people), not to mention the general air of nervousness and discomfort among the villagers as the story progresses all serve as foreshadowing.

One of the most disturbing aspects is that at the end of the story, when the reader begins to realize that something is VERY wrong, someone hands little Davy Hutchinson some pebbles - the thought of a 4/5 yr. old child throwing stones at his mother is anathema to us as readers.  Yet Jackson presents us with this line as a further foreshadowing of the horror to come, as well as a comment on how no one is exempt.

This is a great question - the shock in this modern Gothic tale lies in the "sting in the tale," which surprises and shocks us terribly the first time we read the story. Jackson of course uses this shock tactic to communicate her message about the danger of unthinking allegiance to traditions that can cause us to commit completely inhumane acts of barbaric brutality. However, on re-reading this story, it is well worth considering how she uses foreshadowing to achieve this dramatic ending.

Notice how Jackson deliberately puts us off guard by her description of the lovely summer day. This setting stands at complete odds with the violent conclusion to this story. Then note how the boys are mentioned gathering stones:

Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones; Bobby and Harry Hones and Dickie Delacroix - the villagers pronounced the name "Dellacroy" - eventually made a great pile of stones in one corner of the square and guarded it against hte raids of the other boys.

We associate gathering stones as a normal activity for boys to engage in - we never would suspect the brutal way that they will be used at the end of the story.

This is one of the first examples of foreshadowing that you would do well to think about and analyse further. You will also want to re-read the rest of the story and consider what hints Jackson plants that raise suspense and contribute to the shocking ending. Good luck!

There is a note of excitement in the air as Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” opens. Readers get the feeling that this is a special day, for the people of the town are gathering with anticipation. Let’s look at how the tension builds to its climax.

The townsfolk talk among themselves as they wait for the lottery to begin. We get the feeling that this is a day of interest if not celebration. Then Mr. Summers arrives carrying the wooden box, and the author takes a moment to describe the lottery equipment. Our curiosity is in full swing now, and we wonder what this lottery is all about. The “great deal of fussing” further increases the tension, and the people remember some kind of old ritual that is no longer practiced.

We do not yet find out about the nature of the lottery, though, for the narrator’s attention diverts us to the arrival of Mrs. Hutchinson. There are several matters of business to take care of, and Mr. Summers makes sure everyone is present. We still do not know what the lottery is all about. The townspeople talk among themselves as they draw their slips of paper and even discuss how some places have abandoned the lottery. Old Man Warner’s words show us how important the lottery is, but we do not yet know why.

Then everyone has drawn, and there is a “breathless pause.” The story is drawing near its climax, and we start feeling that this lottery is something critical. Then Mrs. Hutchinson realizes that her husband has the designated paper. Things progress quickly from here. We soon learn that the lottery is not something advantageous. We can tell that from Mrs. Hutchinson’s reaction. It is something horrible, something that she does not want. Then her name is drawn.

Herein lies the climax. The townspeople pick up their stones and prepare to kill Tessie Hutchinson as she screams that it is not fair or right. It is not, but they do it anyway.