Baily, Ted. "Sacred Violence in Shirley Jackson's The Lottery." British and American Studies, Vol 20 (2014): 37-42.
The article “Sacred Violence in Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery” explores two literary criticisms of Jackson’s story. Author Ted Bailey outlines the critical criticism interpretation, he then follows with his own psychological analysis using Rene’ Girard’s theory pertaining to the relationship that exists “between violence and the sacred” (37). In outlining critical criticism, he touches on the scapegoat theory as it relates to the Hebrew tradition of choosing one scapegoat to pay for the sins of the rest of the community. In his analysis, Bailey then compares how that scapegoat theory can also be used in context to Rene’ Girard’s idea of what he terms as the scapegoat effect. In doing so, Bailey claims that all aspects of “The Lottery” fit into Girard’s theory. He touches on the idea that the lottery is for the good of the town, therefore the townspeople participation in it negates any responsibility they may have in killing another human being. Bailey uses situations from the story to prove his points on how following the ritual is a means to control human behavior and maintain social control. He concludes with the idea of what is missing from this small village in the short story is “jails, criminals, police and a sheriff” (41) Also any traditional religious aspects such as churches and clergy. He claims that none are needed because the lottery fulfills that need.
Chen, Fuyu. "A Representative and a Scapegoat: Analysis of Tessie Hutchinson in The Lottery." Theory & Practice in Language Studies 2.5 (2012).
Author Fuyu Chen uses psychological lens to analyze the character Tessie Hutchinson in the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. He claims that because Tessie is the unfortunate winner of the barbaric practice, she serves many roles for the village. She becomes the village representative, a victim and a scapegoat. Through Tessie the reader of this story is able to see the indifference and selfish nature of human beings. Chen uses the story his prove his claims. As a representative, Tessie is not only chosen by the town, but also by herself as she willing and callously goes along with the lottery. Chen writes how we see the selfish Tessie emerge when her family is chosen, she then begins to protest the drawing. To further prove his claim, Chen touches on the selfish mother as Tessie wants her married daughter to be included in the family’s chances. Chen then concludes with his proof as Tessie as the scapegoat in the sense that she is sacrificed for the “communities invisible and intangible evils” (1025). He also points out that like all the winners before her and those to come after her, no matter who they are would take on the same role Tessie did in Jackson’s story.
Whittier, Gayle. ""The Lottery" as Misogynist Parable." Women's Studies, Vol. 18 (1991): 353-366. Article.
The article, “The Lottery” as Misogynist Parable” by Gayle Whittier uses a psychological lens to explore the idea of not only the scapegoat theory, but also the interpretation of the town’s traditional practice of male dominance and how the acceptance of the lottery undermines the nuclear family. Whittier uses several examples in her proof of male dominance. This small town as well as the lottery ritual is patriarchal, two men conduct it, the male head of the household draw for the family. This give men a choice and puts women at risk of that choice. Whittier even points out that the male dominance is shown in the control of the children; when the mothers call the children to join the family as the lottery is about to begin, they are ignored, not only until the father calls do, they listen. Male force is used and accepted as Tessie’s husband pried the black marked paper out of her hand. Whittier also shows proof for her claims that the lottery undermines the family with the Hutchinson children celebrating when they did not get the black dot, not seeming to care that their mother did. She also uses the example of Tessie requesting the inclusion of her married daughter in the draw. Whittier concludes that Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” is a classic portrayal of sexual scapegoating.