Student Question
How does Jackson foreshadow "The Lottery's" ending and create a sense of normalcy in the second and third paragraphs?
Quick answer:
Jackson foreshadows the ending of "The Lottery" by focusing on the children's collection of stones, hinting at their later use in the stoning. The depiction of families gathering in a festive manner creates a sense of normalcy, misleading readers to expect a celebration rather than a violent ritual. This contrast between the light-hearted atmosphere and the story's dark conclusion enhances the shock of the ending.
In "The Lottery," Jackson uses foreshadowing in the second paragraph by drawing attention to the rocks which will be used in the stoning of Tessie Hutchinson. Bobby Martin stuffs his pockets with stones, for example, while the other boys begin choosing the "smoothest and roundest" stones. Conversely, in the next paragraph, Jackson describes the coming-together of each family, ahead of the draw. This foreshadows the families gathering around Tessie Hutchinson to stone her at the end of the story.
By portraying the town and its people in such a light-hearted manner, Jackson makes the story and the town seem normal and ordinary. The images of children playing and families gathering on the square, for instance, give the reader the impression that some sort of jovial festival or celebration is about to take place, not a brutal and ritualistic stoning.
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