Analysis of the Lottery by Shriley Jackson - 552 Words

The Lottery This story is about a ritual performed in a small town of about 300 people each year on June 27th. On that day all members of each family begin to assemble at ten in the morning to conduct the annual lottery. The lottery has taken place for years and the practice is conducted to choose a suitable sacrifice for a successful harvest. The lottery is conducted Mr. Summers who is married but with no children and he is assisted by Mr. Graves. Before starting the lottery several lists are created which must include each member of every family in the town. It also verified that each member of the community is present before the lottery begins. To conduct the lottery a very old black box is brought forward and a piece of paper with each member from the community is placed inside of it. One member of the community arrives late to the ceremony by the name of Tessie Hutchinson. Upon arrival she takes her place next to her husband and children. As the lottery begins, each head of household is called alphabetically to come forward and take a piece of paper from the box. After all families have drawn a paper slip they check them at the same moment. The Hutchinson family has unfortunately pulled the special slip to the dismay of Tessie who feels they were not given the appropriate amount of time to choose. Mr. Summers then prepares the box to hold only five slips of paper and asks each member of the family to come forward and select another. After all slips are