Symbolism In The Lottery, By Shirley Jackson

A symbol of the lottery's ongoing legacy, the same box has been used for years. It was believed to be made from scraps of the original black box which fell apart through the course of its use. When the citizens are brought the idea that the box should be changed, the whole thing was let to pass. "Mr. Summers," the town's lottery official, "spoke frequently about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much as tradition as was represented by the black box." (Jackson 422) This illustrates the people are blind to the idea of even tampering with their sacred box. They have grown with the tradition and find discomfort in the idea of change. "Every year, after the lottery, Mr. Summers began talking about a new box, but every year the subject was allowed to fade off without anything's being done." (Jackson 422) With the keyword "allowed," it illustrates the people's reaction by ignorance. Every year the suggestion is made, and every year the suggestion is purposely disregarded for the sake that their tradition be unchanged. There is a sense that should the box be changed, so should the lottery and it's purpose. "Some places already quit lotteries," Mrs. Adams said. "Nothing but trouble in that," Old Man Warner said stoutly, "Pack of young fools." (Jackson 425) This illustrates the beliefs of a majority. Old Man Warner being the oldest man in the town was looked upon

To a first time reader, Shirley Jackson's “The Lottery” seems simply as a curious tale with a shocking ending. After repetitive reading of Jackson's tale, it is clear that each sentence is written with a unique purpose often using symbolism. Her use of symbols not only foreshadow its surprise and disturbing ending but allows the reader to evaluate the community's pervert traditional rituals. She may be commenting on the season of the year and the grass being “richly green” or the toying with the meanings of the character's names but each statement applies to the meaning and lesson behind her story.

In the short story, "The Lottery", written by Shirley Jackson, literary devices are used to enhance the story. When writing, authors may employ many literary devices into a story. One of the many literary devices is symbolism. The symbols can help imply the theme of the story. The readers have an opportunity to unfold the meaning behind each symbol. This short story, in particular, is full of many symbols. In a logical way, the author is able to keep the reader engaged in the action.

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.

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. 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. (5)

Authors Jackson and Lawrence use symbolism as a device to bring to light the cherished items that have a symbolic message for each individual. In "The Lottery," the black box represented tradition for the townspeople. The black box was a keepsake for the town; "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" (Kennedy & Gioia, 2013, p. 251). Ironically, from a historical perspective, the black box is equivalent towards the lottery as a whole; without the box, tradition can become easily upsetting. According to Jackson, "no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box" (as cited in Kennedy & Gioia, 2013, p. 251). One can also infer that perhaps the black box symbolizes a multitude of purposes, such as a possession of secrets, a casket in reference to death, or part of the old-town charm. Nevertheless, the lottery was a disguised attempt for the townspeople to

Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” published in 1948 portrays a story where people in a small village are stuck on old traditions. Every year on June twenty-seventh the village gathers for the lottery. Children are running around gathering smooth stones shoving them in their pockets. Mr. Summers walks in holding a black square box gathering everyone up, from the little kids to the oldest man in town, Old Man Warner. As soon as everyone is present. Mr. Summers calls everyone’s name as they walk up and draw a piece of paper from the black box. This year Bill Hutchinson was the winner, and out of his family his wife Tessie drew the paper with the black dot. She screams it is not fair as the crowd strikes her with stones. The black box in this story is a symbol for tradition, Old Man Warner is used to as someone who is wise, and the kids are shown as the village peoples arrogance. The author uses the black box, children, and Old Man Warner to display to the readers how people will follow tradition with no explanation out of fear.

Many characters in the story know the proper procedure for how the lottery is to be handled and behave according to expectations without guidance because it is second nature to them. The black wooden box is part of the tradition since it stores the names of the citizens. The box has also been in use for a while ever since, “the original paraphernalia for the lottery had been lost long ago” (259). It was also explicitly said by Mr. Summers that he did not wish to disturb the tradition of the lottery by wanting something new to draw names from. Since the tradition of pulling names for the town’s lottery predates every person in the town, it is seen as normal to everybody because the tradition has been carried out many generations prior. Traditions can also be subject to change throughout the course of time and the same can be said for the lottery because, “slips of paper substituted for the chips of wood” (260). This was done because the population had grown too large over time, much like how modern traditions adapt over time in order to better accommodate the many people practicing

The lottery is taken place, and has to be taken place every year, it’s a tradition, a sacrifice, a chance of death to one person, this lottery is taken place in a small village, the year was 1948, a man who goes by the name Mr. Summers. He is the person to draw the names from the black box, and whoever’s name that is pulled out of the black box, loses his or her life, the reason why Shirley Jackson the author, made the box black, is to symbolize death, and the color black is to warn the villagers that the death of one of them is approaching quickly, and there’s no time to run, because whoever’s name is picked, their death happens.

In “The Lottery” the symbol of the black box stood for tradition. The lottery happened every year and it was done without hesitation. Although there had been other villages to abolish the cruel and absurd tradition this village continued to carry out the act only for the fact that it had always been done. Another symbol is the lottery itself. The lottery also represents tradition and unnecessary cruelty. No one questions the ways of the lottery the necessity of it especially when they are trying to expand the village. The only one to speak out of its unfairness was Tessie Hutchinson and only then did she question it because she was the chosen one of the lottery. She too would not have said anything if it were not her being

We all have our own traditions, whether it is our family gatherings for holidays or making dinner for our significant other every night. In “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and “The Day It Happened” by Rosario Morales they both bear the common theme of tradition, although the elements of fiction in the two differ greatly.

Even as Tessie protests the drawing, the villagers collect their stones and move in to throw them. ... In "The Lottery" the black box itself is a symbol. When the unnamed narrator mentions the box. The black box suggestive of a coffin, the black box contains the slips which are drawn by the villagers to determine who will be stoned. Since it contains every name in the village, no one escapes the lottery. It is stored each year in a specific place and brought out for the annual ceremony; the box is much like certain religious boxes that contain a ceremonial item. The black box is the container from which the villagers draw the slips of paper for the lottery, and as part of this tradition, it has special meaning for the villagers. This box is a symbol for those in the town because it is one of the only connections to the origin of the lottery. (Griffin,

The main symbolic piece that shows up in "The Lottery" is the lottery box. This box is an image for those in the town since it is one of the main associations with the starting point of the lottery. It has been utilized for whatever length of time that anybody can recollect, yet isn't the first box. Some people in the town brought ideas as to get a new box or make a new one, but the tow people do not want to shy away from their tradition. Rumors around the town spread

The black box is the second symbol that also resembles the tradition of the lottery and holds an important purpose as well, the black box in the story is old and falling apart due to age. Shirley Jackson describes the box saying “the black box grew shabbier each year”, “it was no longer completely black but splintered badly along one side to show the original wood color” (291). the villagers are frightened that the black box will be left out of the tradition since the lottery has been done including the black box . Mr. Summers is aware of the box and talked to the people of village of replacing the black box and making a new one, but the villagers did not like the idea of having a new box and forgetting the black box. Shirley jackson says

The black box is the main symbol in the story. Its represents the tradition of the lottery. It does not have a name nor anyone remember where it’s coming from but no one is willing to give up. The community follow the tradition because it’s been there for many years and its reminds the town’s history. They should always remember that their ancestors made sacrifices for them.