Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” was first published in the New Yorker, in 1948 and it aroused a lot of controversy among the newspaper’s readers. Those who read Jackson’s story were totally confused and unable to understand the author’s intentions. In 1948 issue of the San Francisco Chronicle Jackson accounted for her reasons behind writing the story:
Explaining just what I had hoped the story to say is very difficult. I suppose, I hoped, by setting a particularly brutal ancient rite in the present and in my own village to shock the story’s readers with a graphic dramatization of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives. (Jackson in Kosenko 1985: 27)
Although the author succeeded in startling the readers, the motives for portraying the American society in such a way were still unclear.
Is there any correspondence between the writer’s personal experiences and the image of society she depicts in “The Lottery”? First of all, the village described in the story seems to be similar to a rural area in which Jackson lived when she wrote it. Secondly, the short story villagers’ violence may have its origin in an incident from Shirley Jackson’s life. She created the story after she had been pelted with stones by some school children while she had been going home. What is more, Lynette Carpenter makes the interesting remark that Jackson had a tendency to bestow her own features of character on her heroines.
Table of Contents
- The Picture of Society in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
- The Lottery and its Function in the Community
- Social Hierarchy and Division of Labor
- Male Domination and Female Subordination
- The Mentality of Children
Objectives and Key Themes
This analysis aims to explore the depiction of societal structures and flaws within Shirley Jackson's short story, "The Lottery." It examines the story's use of symbolism and characterization to reveal underlying themes of societal conformity, blind adherence to tradition, and the suppression of individual expression.
- The role of tradition and its potential for violence and oppression.
- The dynamics of power and social hierarchy within a seemingly ordinary community.
- The suppression of dissent and the consequences of challenging established norms.
- The exploration of gender roles and inequality within the community.
- The impact of socialization on individual beliefs and actions.
Chapter Summaries
The Picture of Society in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson: This introductory section sets the stage by discussing the controversy surrounding Jackson's story upon its publication. It explores the author's intentions in portraying a seemingly ordinary community engaging in a brutal ritual, connecting the story to aspects of Jackson's personal life and experiences. The section highlights the themes of violence, inhumanity, and the potential for evil to be disguised as tradition. It introduces the use of symbolism within the story, setting the stage for a deeper analysis of the societal structures revealed through character names and actions.
The Lottery and its Function in the Community: This section delves into the central event of the story—the lottery itself. It examines the lottery's role as both a tradition and a mechanism for maintaining social order. The seeming ordinariness of the community juxtaposed with the violent ritual is explored, highlighting the story's critique of societal complacency. Old Man Warner's adherence to tradition and the villagers' unspoken fear are used as evidence of the ingrained nature of the lottery within the community's psyche. The section then focuses on the subtle acts of rebellion—from the Adamses’ hesitant mention of other villages abandoning the lottery to Tessie Hutchinson's last-minute objections, demonstrating that while overt rebellion is suppressed, underlying tensions exist.
Social Hierarchy and Division of Labor: This section examines the social structure of the village, highlighting the clear power dynamic amongst its members. It focuses on the roles of Mr. Summers, Mr. Graves, and Mr. Martin—men who hold economic and political power and control the lottery. The symbolic use of Mr. Summers' clothing (jeans and a clean white shirt) underscores the illusion of democratic participation in the lottery. The analysis further explores the inequitable division of labor, focusing on the expectation of unquestioning devotion to work from lower-class members. It establishes a connection between productivity and perceived immunity from the lottery, illustrating how fear of the lottery reinforces the existing social hierarchy.
Male Domination and Female Subordination: This section analyzes the gender dynamics within the village, demonstrating the clear male dominance. The rules governing participation in the lottery, where only men are considered heads of households, are analyzed in detail. The depiction of women as housewives relegated to a secondary status is examined, contrasting with Tessie's unexpected rebellion against her husband and the established social norms. Tessie's actions, despite their unconscious nature, are highlighted as a brief challenge to the patriarchal structure, resulting in nervous laughter from the community, reflecting their discomfort with her challenge to tradition.
The Mentality of Children: This final summarized section focuses on the children's role in reinforcing the societal norms. It explores their participation in the lottery as stone-collectors, emphasizing their eager engagement in the violent ritual. This participation reflects the effective socialization within the community, demonstrating how these norms are passed down from one generation to the next. Their acceptance of work over leisure mirrors that of their parents, reinforcing the ingrained fear and acceptance of the lottery's system.
Keywords
Tradition, violence, social order, conformity, rebellion, gender roles, power dynamics, societal critique, symbolism, blind adherence to tradition, suppression of dissent.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic analysis of Shirley Jackson's short story, "The Lottery." It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The analysis focuses on exploring the societal structures and flaws depicted in the story.
What are the main themes explored in the analysis of "The Lottery"?
The analysis explores several key themes, including the role of tradition and its potential for violence and oppression; the dynamics of power and social hierarchy; the suppression of dissent and the consequences of challenging established norms; gender roles and inequality; and the impact of socialization on individual beliefs and actions.
What are the key chapters or sections covered in the analysis?
The analysis is structured into chapters covering: The picture of society in "The Lottery"; The lottery and its function in the community; Social hierarchy and division of labor; Male domination and female subordination; and The mentality of children. Each section delves into specific aspects of the story's social commentary.
How does the analysis examine the role of tradition in "The Lottery"?
The analysis examines how tradition, seemingly benign on the surface, serves as a mechanism for maintaining social order and suppressing dissent. It highlights the potential for tradition to mask violence and oppression, as seen in the brutal ritual of the lottery itself.
What role does social hierarchy play in the story, according to the analysis?
The analysis identifies a clear power dynamic within the village, with certain individuals holding significant economic and political power. It explores how this hierarchy is reinforced through the lottery and the division of labor, illustrating how fear and the threat of violence maintain the existing social structure.
How does the analysis address gender roles in "The Lottery"?
The analysis highlights the male dominance within the village, examining the rules and customs that reinforce women's subordinate status. It also considers Tessie Hutchinson's rebellion as a brief challenge to the patriarchal structure, albeit an ultimately unsuccessful one.
What is the significance of the children's role in the story, as discussed in the analysis?
The analysis focuses on the children's active participation in the lottery, emphasizing their eager engagement in the violent ritual. This highlights the effective socialization within the community and how societal norms are passed down through generations.
What keywords are used to describe the analysis and its themes?
Keywords include: Tradition, violence, social order, conformity, rebellion, gender roles, power dynamics, societal critique, symbolism, blind adherence to tradition, and suppression of dissent.
What is the overall objective of this academic analysis?
The analysis aims to provide a deep understanding of the societal structures and flaws portrayed in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," using symbolism, characterization, and thematic analysis to reveal the story's underlying messages about conformity, tradition, and the suppression of individual expression.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Anna Dabek (Author), 2008, The Picture of Society in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/284451
