The Lottery Topics for Further Study

Topics for Further Study

(Short Stories for Students)

Relate ''The Lottery'' to psychological explanations of scapegoatism.

Discuss the significance of Tessie Hutchinson as victim from a feminist perspective.

Research the 1692 witch trials of Salem, Massachusetts, and compare the events surrounding them to those in "The Lottery."

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Could "luck" have been a symbol in this story in any way?

I think that luck is of vital importance to the short story. It is luck, a form of random selection, whereby one's name is pulled from the black box. Something that Mr. Summers says when Tessie...
What would be a good thesis statement for an argumentative essay on the customs (or traditions)...

I would start by identifying certain themes/topics in the story that would be fruitful to write about--the tradition of violence in societies, the function of customs, etc. There is a helpful list...
What are some examples of irony in "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson?

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson is a story which contains many examples of irony. The first, of course, is that the title and opening paragraphs all indicate that the lottery is something positive...
Why would the villagers in "The Lottery" keep following the blind tradition?

I do believe that the fear of change is a part of the continuation of the lottery practice. A part of this is the natural resistance people have to change. It is inconceivable for the villagers...
What is the point of view in "The Lottery"?

The third person point of view allows readers to be a fly on the wall of a story. This is of extreme value in Jackson's The Lottery because of the dramatic contrast between the normal routine of...