How Does Shirley Jackson Use Foreshadowing In The Lottery

Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery was published in the 1940’s, yet its’ take on blind faith and tradition has relevance today. The short story opens with what the narrator describes as a “sunny and clear” day, June 27th to be exact. The citizens of a small village begin to gather in the village square to partake in a tradition of what is called the “lottery.” Some show excitement for the day’s events, others seemingly go about the motions; one character is stated to nearly have forgotten the day altogether. We first notice signs of hesitation toward the lottery when Mr. Martin and his son, Baxtar hesitate to step forward to help Mr. Summers, the leader of the ceremony, steady the stool the black box holding the lottery remains on. In the moments

Within in the second paragraph, the reader can notice foreshadowing when the children are introduced and are said to be collecting rocks. There is no mention in the second paragraph about why, however at the end of the story short, it is clear they were preparing to stone whoever the lottery choose. Mrs. Hutchinson’s late arrival is also foreshadowing: not only does she stand out to the readers, she is separate from the rest of the crowd, including her husband. This will be true for Mrs. Hutchinson until the end of the story. Mr. Hutchinson also states, "Thought we were going to have to get on without you, Tessie." His statement foreshadows the end of the story where Mr. Hutchinson, his family and the village must “get on without” Tessie due to her passing. Further foreshadowing occurs when the box is brought out, the villagers are described as keeping their distance from the stool holding the lottery, suggesting no one is excited or wanting what the lottery box

The most predominate example is the box containing the lottery is black. The dark color of the box symbolizes the darkness of the lottery. The black dot on the card drawn by the loser/winner of the lottery also symbolizes death for whoever is chosen. Irony is used when we are introduced to a sunny summer day in a small village, we later learn that the clear and sunny day will lead to the death of one the villagers. The lottery itself is also a prime example of irony. Whoever draws the marked paper does not win. They lose their life and their family receives grief instead of the positivity that you would expect from the word lottery. The name of the man leading the lottery is also ironic, Mr. Summers. Not only is the event being held in summer, Mr. Summers is also conducting what is likely the darkest event of the year for the