The Lottery Shirley Jackson PDF: A Classic Short Story with a Twist

If you are looking for a short story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you might want to check out The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. This classic tale of a small-town ritual has been widely acclaimed for its shocking ending and its commentary on human nature. In this article, we will give you a brief summary of the story, some background information on the author and the context, and some of the most asked questions and answers about The Lottery Shirley Jackson PDF.

The Lottery Shirley Jackson PDF Download

What is The Lottery by Shirley Jackson about?

The Lottery is a short story that was first published in The New Yorker magazine in 1948. It tells the story of a seemingly normal and peaceful village that holds an annual lottery to select one of its residents for a mysterious and violent fate. The story follows the events of the lottery day, focusing on the Hutchinson family, whose youngest son draws the marked slip of paper that seals their doom. The story ends with a shocking twist that reveals the true nature of the lottery and the villagers’ participation in it.

Who is Shirley Jackson and why did she write The Lottery?

Shirley Jackson was an American writer who was born in 1916 and died in 1965. She is best known for her works of horror and suspense, such as The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle. She was also a prolific writer of short stories, essays, and memoirs. She wrote The Lottery in response to the rise of authoritarianism and fascism in Europe after World War II, as well as the Cold War tensions and the fear of nuclear annihilation. She wanted to explore the themes of conformity, tradition, violence, and scapegoating in modern society.

Where can I find The Lottery Shirley Jackson PDF?

The Lottery Shirley Jackson PDF is available online for free from various sources. You can download it from here: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1948/06/26/the-lottery You can also read it online here: https://sites.middlebury.edu/individualandthesociety/files/2010/09/jackson_lottery.pdf Or you can listen to it as an audio file here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udx5CKJNn0w

What are some of the most asked questions and answers about The Lottery Shirley Jackson PDF?

Here are some of the most common questions and answers about The Lottery Shirley Jackson PDF:

Q: What is the meaning of the black box in The Lottery?

A: The black box is a symbol of the lottery itself, as well as the tradition and authority that governs it. It is old and worn out, but no one dares to replace it or question it. It represents the blind acceptance and obedience of the villagers to a ritual that they do not fully understand or challenge.

Q: What is the irony in The Lottery?

A: The irony in The Lottery is that the title and the setting suggest a positive and festive event, but the outcome is horrific and cruel. The lottery is not a game of chance or luck, but a ritual sacrifice of an innocent person. The villagers act casually and politely before and during the lottery, but turn into a violent mob at the end. The story also contrasts the idyllic description of the village with the dark reality of its tradition.

Q: What is the theme of The Lottery?

A: The theme of The Lottery is the danger of blindly following traditions and norms without questioning their origin or purpose. The story shows how people can become desensitized and indifferent to violence and injustice when they are part of a group or a system that condones it. The story also warns against the tendency to scapegoat others for one’s own problems or fears.

Q: How does Shirley Jackson create suspense in The Lottery?

A: Shirley Jackson creates suspense in The Lottery by withholding information and clues from the reader until the very end. She does not reveal what the lottery is for or what happens to the winner until the last paragraph. She also uses foreshadowing and symbolism to hint at something sinister behind the seemingly normal event. For example, she mentions that some villages have stopped holding lotteries, that some people are nervous or uneasy about it, that children are collecting stones, that Mr. Summers has a grave face, that Mrs. Hutchinson is late and protests her selection, etc.

Q: What is the main point of the Lottery by Shirley Jackson?

A: The main point of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is to show the danger of blindly following traditions and norms without questioning their origin or purpose. The story also warns against the tendency to scapegoat others for one’s own problems or fears.

Q: What are the symbols of the lottery by Shirley Jackson?

• The black box: It represents the lottery itself, as well as the tradition and authority that governs it. It is old and worn out, but no one dares to replace it or question it. It represents the blind acceptance and obedience of the villagers to a ritual that they do not fully understand or challenge.
• The slips of paper: They represent the fate and the randomness of the lottery. They also symbolize the lack of individuality and identity of the villagers, who are reduced to mere numbers in the system.
• The stones: They represent the violence and the cruelty of the lottery. They also symbolize the collective responsibility and participation of the villagers in the sacrifice. They show how people can become desensitized and indifferent to violence and injustice when they are part of a group or a system that condones it.

Q: What are the topics of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson?

• Tradition and conformity: The story explores how people can follow traditions and norms without questioning their origin or purpose. It also shows how people can resist change and innovation, even when they are harmful or outdated.
• Violence and scapegoating: The story exposes how people can justify violence and injustice when they are part of a group or a system that condones it. It also shows how people can blame others for their own problems or fears, and use them as scapegoats.
• Human nature and society: The story examines how human nature can be influenced by social and cultural factors. It also questions the morality and rationality of human behavior, especially when it comes to collective actions and decisions.

Q: Who are the main characters in The Lottery?

• Tessie Hutchinson: She is the protagonist and the victim of the lottery. She is a housewife and a mother of four children. She arrives late to the lottery and protests her selection. She is stoned to death by the villagers at the end of the story.
• Bill Hutchinson: He is Tessie’s husband and the head of the Hutchinson family. He draws the marked slip of paper that determines their fate. He does not defend his wife or question the lottery. He participates in the stoning along with the other villagers.
• Mr. Summers: He is the official who conducts the lottery. He is a friendly and jovial man who owns a coal business. He is in charge of preparing the black box and the slips of paper. He tries to make the lottery go as quickly and smoothly as possible.
• Old Man Warner: He is the oldest man in the village and the most staunch supporter of the lottery. He has participated in 77 lotteries and believes that it is necessary for the survival and prosperity of the village. He dismisses any idea of stopping or changing the lottery as foolish and dangerous.

Conclusion

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a classic short story that has fascinated and disturbed readers for decades. It is a powerful example of how a writer can use suspense, irony, symbolism, and theme to create a memorable and impactful story. If you are interested in reading more of Shirley Jackson’s works, you can find them online or in your local library. You can also watch the adaptations of her stories on film or TV, such as The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix or The Lottery on YouTube. Happy reading!