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Analyzing Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery'

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Gerard Lyons February 9, 2017 Ms.Snyder English II The Lottery Analysis “The Lottery” is a short story like none other. The precise details the author describes in the beginning of “The Lottery” set us up for the shocking conclusion. In the first paragraph, Jackson provides details about the day on which the lottery takes place. The author references the exact date as June 27th and it was in the morning time. She then goes on to describe the environment of the story. There are flowers, and the town square, where everyone gathers. She provides details about the town. The author talks about how they gather between the bank and the post office. Jackson includes how many people live there and how long the duration of the lottery
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The Lottery was one of Jackson’s first short stories, first published in The New Yorker in 1948. Without any context at first you may think the story is an enjoyable town since it starts off with the classic, “The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green.” (Jackson, The Lottery 1). Usually stories that start off with it being a joyous day, you’ll think it would be a heartwarming

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