"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

Quick Summary:

The short story is about a small rural town that holds an annual lottery. The story ends with a shocking twist: what seems like a festive tradition turns out to be a horrible ritual involving sacrifice of one of the town residents. The story critiques blind adherence to tradition and mob mentality.

About Shirley Jackson:

Shirley Jackson (1916–1965) was an American writer known for her works of horror, psychological suspense, and gothic fiction. Born in San Francisco, she gained fame with her chilling short story “The Lottery” (1948), which explores themes of tradition and violence. Her novels, including The Haunting of Hill House (1959) and We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962), cemented her reputation as a master of unsettling fiction. Jackson’s work often delves into themes of isolation, paranoia, and the dark side of human nature.

Despite her relatively short career, Jackson’s influence on literature remains strong. Today, she is recognized as a master of psychological horror and gothic fiction, and her works continue to be widely read and studied. Her ability to create an atmosphere of dread and suspense influenced many later horror and suspense writers, including Stephen King. In her honor, the Shirley Jackson Awards were established to recognize outstanding achievements in horror, psychological suspense, and dark fantasy fiction.

Link to the Story:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1948/06/26/the-lottery

Printable Story: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12gFDowi8RPztgKV00WS_eQuDJUAs2T4x/view?usp=shari ng

Rhetorical Analysis - Week 1

Prompt

Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” (1948) uses a shocking and unsettling narrative to critique blind adherence to tradition and the darker aspects of human nature. In a well-developed essay, analyze how Jackson employs rhetorical strategies to convey her central message about tradition and societal violence.

Consider the following questions as you develop your analysis:

How does Jackson use irony to build suspense and impact the reader’s perception of the lottery?
What symbols (such as the black box or stones) contribute to the story’s themes?
How does Jackson’s tone shift throughout the story and what effect does this have on the reader?
In what ways do the characters reinforce or challenge the tradition of the lottery?

Your essay should include specific textual evidence to support your claims and demonstrate how Jackson’s rhetorical choices enhance the story’s meaning.

Synthesis - Week 2

Prompt

Mob mentality plays a crucial role in Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery,” influencing the actions and motivations of the townspeople as they blindly follow tradition. Carefully read the following six sources. Then, in a well-organized essay, take a position on the phenomenon of “groupthink,” using at least three of the sources to support your argument. Consider how individuals in “The Lottery” suppress personal morality in favor of communal expectations and compare this to real-world examples where mob mentality has led to harmful or unjust actions. You may draw from psychological studies, historical case studies, and literary works that explore the dangers of conformity and collective decision-making. Consider how “groupthink” or mob mentality influences individuals’ ability to think critically, make ethical choices, and challenge authority. Use evidence from your sources to develop a clear, nuanced argument about the impact of mob mentality in society.

Source A (Ruth Franklin article)

Source B (Out of Focus essay)

Source C (Arthur Miller essay)

Source D (David Rieff article)

Source E (Gayook Wong article)

Source F (Alamy image)

In your response you should do the following:

Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position.
Select and use evidence from at least three of the provided sources to support your line of reasoning. Indicate clearly the sources used through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. Sources may be cited as Source A, Source B, etc., or by using the description in parentheses.
Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument

Synthesis Materials

The Lottery Synthesis Source Packet

Argument - Week 3

Prompt

In “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson presents a disturbing portrayal of human nature through the townspeople’s unquestioning acceptance of a brutal tradition. Does Jackson suggest that violence and cruelty are inherent aspects of human nature, or does she argue that people commit such acts only due to societal pressure and blind conformity?

Support your argument with appropriate evidence and examples.

Page updated

Report abuse