Symbolism Of The Lottery Symbolism

But lurking behind him, Mr. Graves quietly assists, his name hinting at a dark undertone” (Griffin par. 3). The black box that is used for the lottery is another symbol because it symbolizes a condition of the village, “The black box is a physical manifestation of the villagers ' connection to tradition” (Shmoop Editorial Team par. 1) This is due to how it is rumored that the current black box was made with parts of the old black box, “there was a story that the present box had been made with some pieces of the box that had preceded it,” (Jackson 140). The description of the box and the rumor of it being made of the old box are a symbol of the town’s current lottery. The new box represents the current lottery and the old box represent the lottery when it started. The old parts of the box that were used to create the new box are a symbol of the lottery prize, while the reason for the lottery existing stays with the old box.

Traditions are in every family, friendship, community, religion, and culture. Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” teaches aspects of traditions and raises questions about whether keeping traditions is good or bad if they harm society. Throughout Jackson’s short story, traditions are displayed by deeply looking at the mirroring of archetypal plot patterns, and symbols.

Symbolically the battered black box represents the death that it brings to the community as well as a worn out tradition. The box is mentioned repeatedly throughout the story, which is a sign of its importance, although we are kept in the dark about its ultimate function until the very end. It is described as "…no longer completely black but splintered badly along one side to show the original wood color, and in some places [is] faded or stained." (Jackson 75). This seems to also describe the lottery itself- old, faded, and stained with the blood of all those who have died in years past. Ironically, the black box used in the story was said not to be the original box and the papers that they used were substitutes for the old wood chips. This is a sign that the tradition is so old and meaningless that it can be constantly added to or taken away from. "Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box…[and] every year the subject was allowed to fade off without anything being done" (Jackson 75). Perhaps Mr. Summers's idea symbolizes a need for a new tradition.

The symbols in the story reflect the need to change tradition. The lottery symbolizes the importance of tradition. "[It] was conducted – as were the square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program" and is held every late June (Jackson 1). It is completely normal and accepted by the villagers as most traditions are, but the lottery results in a villager being stoned to death. A village that approves a tradition that goes against moral principles and ends with murder has societal issues and needs to change the lottery ritual. A part of the ritual requires a black box and the symbol of the box is another indication that something is wrong in the village's society. The ritual box is like Pandora's box which contains evil. The colour of the box represents chaos, evil, and death and the villagers recognize that "tradition … was represented by the black box" (1). The box is used for the sole purpose of determining which villager will be stoned to death. It is even place on a three-legged stool which symbolizes the Holy Trinity's or spiritual support of the black box. The box is a symbol for the deadly tradition held each year. A tradition against moral values, yet it is performed each year without hesitation displaying an issue in the village society and a need to change tradition.

The black box is not only Alliteration, but it is also a symbol in “The Lottery”. Martine Ma declares, “The black box holds the key between life or death for every single one of the townspeople”. Inside the black box is a “slip of paper” (Jackson1870) with “a black spot” (Jackson1870) that would declare the death of a villager and the sacrifice for the harvest. The black box also represents ‘evil’ in “The Lottery”. Seth Cassel stated, “The villagers have become entranced in the gruesome tradition of stoning people.” Proving that the black box has manipulated the townspeople into killing their fellow villagers because of the lottery the black box

In the short story, "The Lottery", written by Shirley Jackson, symbols enhance the story. This short story is packed with symbols. However, the symbols are not explained in the story. So, the reader has an opportunity to unfold the meaning behind each and every one.

Symbolism is a key part of making a good story. It defines and helps you comprehend the story in a new way. It also introduces new viewpoints and effects the plot. The significance symbolism of animals, colors, and objects are seen throughout stories such as the veldt, monsters on maple street and the lottery.

Shirley Jackson’s greatest tool, in revealing her theme to her audience, is the use of symbolism through various objects and actions. Jackson uses “the pile of stones the boys had made earlier” as an act of outdated ritualistic violence, stoning Tessie to death solely because the villagers “still remembered to use stones” as a symbol of people doing things only because they always have (256). One of the biggest objects that Jackson uses in her story, in fact she mentions it thirty-three times to support its significance, is the diversely symbolic box which the narrator introduces to the audience as Mr. Summers “arrives in the square with it.” The narrator symbolically states that “the black box grows shabbier each year” continuing that “it

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a short story based on a fictional village that holds a macabre ritual. Although the regularity was not stated within the tale, the story speaks of a regular gathering of the village folk to conduct some form of lottery. In a disturbing twist of the tale, the winner of the lottery doesn’t get to receive a prize, but instead, suffer the indignity of being killed by getting stoned to death by friends, family, and neighbors. Mrs. Hutchinson is the unfortunate soul, who, despite her pleas and protests has no option but accept her fate. In a similarly titled story, The Lottery by Chris Abani talks about an incident he witnessed when he went to the market with his aunt. In the story, Abani explains how he

There are many important symbolic items in this story, but the major symbolic items are the black wooden box, white slips of paper and the stones. The black box represents the tradition of the lottery. As the lottery itself the black box is old and worn. Also, the color of the box is black which could represent death since black is considered color of death. The black box was always kept in public view to remind the villagers about the tradition “The postmaster, Mr. Graves, followed him, carrying a three-legged stool, and the stool was put in the centre of the square and Mr. Summers set the black box down on it” (Jackson 4). The three-legged stool on which the box was placed is also important since the stool itself was unstable and at one point almost got knocked down. The tradition as the three-legged stool is unstable and could get knocked down at any point. Next, the white slips of paper “He dropped all the papers but those onto the ground, where the breeze caught them and lifted them off.” (Jackson 60). The papers represent the lives of the villagers and how their lives can be taken away at any moment with a single

there will be a death later on in the story. Another character we are introduced to is Adams.

When it comes down to literature, writers use literary devices to enhance stories and novels. One key literary device used by writers is symbolism. Within the story The Lottery, Shirley Jackson uses many symbols to relate back to the title. Three distinct symbols she used within the story were the three characters, Mr. Summers, Old Man Warner, and Tessie Hutchinson. These three characters separately, but equally exemplify the lottery.

Shirley Jackson 's 'The Lottery ', is a story that is filled with symbolism. The author uses symbolism to help her represent human nature as tainted, no matter how pure one thinks of himself or herself, or how pure their environment may seem to be. The story is very effective in raising many questions about the pointless nature of humanity regarding tradition and violence. 'The Lottery ' clearly expresses Jackson 's feelings concerning mankind?s evil nature hiding behind traditions and rituals. She shows how coldness and lack of compassion in people can exhibit in situations regarding tradition and values. Jackson presents the theme of this short story with a major use of symbolism. Symbolism shows throughout the setting of 'The Lottery, ' the objects, the peoples actions, and even in the time and the names of the lucky contestants.

All around the world today thousands of people die from murder and the numbers increase every year. Our world is filled with violence and tragedies that keep increasing, just like in, Shirley Jackson's story “The Lottery.” The characters in a small village choose someone to stone to death each year because of tradition. As this tradition continues, more and more people die as time passes. All of the towns folk grow more and more nervous, hoping not to get picked. They gather in the town square to choose the person who is killed in this unfortunate event as you meet characters like the hutchinsons, Mr. Graves, and Mr. Summers as they go through the fear of being picked. As the children pile up stones that they use for the killing. All

Likewise, the black box is symbolic in the short story. It is a prehistoric box in which the villagers draw the slips of paper but do not want to replace it to avoid “upsetting tradition.” The black box is a symbol to the villagers because many people before them have practiced the lottery. “The original paraphernalia for the lottery had been lost long ago, and the black box now resting on the stool had been put into use even before Old Man Warner, the oldest man in town, was born” (Jackson 1). Lending confidence to the villagers, the black box reminds them to trust in their forefathers. Not only are the stones and black box symbolic, but also the marked slip of paper. It is with a single dark dot that indicates who the next victim of the lottery will be. The dot appears to look like a spot or a blemish on a piece of paper. These are frequently associated with disease and so the marking of the dot symbolizes the marking of a person for destruction. The paper itself also manifests the pointlessness of the lottery; it was created by Joe Summers who though of it the night before on a scratch piece of paper with a pencil. It is this mark, made by a random human, that determines the fate of a person. The marked slip of paper holds no power, but rather the power that