How Does Shirley Jackson Use Symbols In The Lottery

In short stories, symbols are often used to convey the meaning behind the characters and their settings. Often times, symbols indirectly foreshadow what the story’s theme is trying to portray. In “The Lottery”, Shirley Jackson uses the power of symbolism from the annual ritual show to how the town doesn’t question it’s purpose. Unfortunately, many people were more concerned with the idea of themselves being stoned and the stoning process than the life that was being taken from the town. Jackson uses the symbolism of the traditional black box, outdated salute, and shredded papers to lead up to future events. Initially, when reading the beginning of the story, one would hope for a happy ending, but the symbolism throughout the ritual prepares

In “The Lottery”, the splintered black box was an original article from when it first begin. This box was faded and constructed by the pieces of the previous lottery boxes. It shows how the urge to keep the tradition updated was not important. It’s faded dimensions allowed one to understand how the appearance of the box had no significance. The box’s essence is noted when Jackson writes, “The black box grew shabbier each year: by now it was no longer completely black but splintered badly along one side to show the original wood color, and in some places faded or stained.” (Jackson, 411). The purpose of the box was to contain the names of the townsmen in it for the day of sacrifice. Instead, it was thrown from place to place as one person became in charge of where the box was to be kept safe until the next annual event. The people used to draw chips of wood but as the town grew the inconsistency of the ritual grew as well. This box symbolized the villagers’ connection to the lottery and it’s tradition. Therefore, if the ritual was an important figure of the town, the box would be intact and carefully

During the lottery, the ticket used to draw the names of the chosen town family is placed on a white slit of paper. In the event of the annual ritual, each family is given their own white paper as they wait anxiously for the reveal. The lottery is an unquestionable event no matter how freakish or bizarre it may seem. Who ever is the chosen family will reveal the black dot on their paper and then it is cut down to who is the chosen member no matter the age. The lottery ticket is used to symbolize how the town continues the tradition only for the fact that it has always existed. There is no accurate reasoning for why the event exists other than the town population. If the town population control was truly important, the appearance of the lottery slip would be more formal and the drawing presentation would be emphasized. The townsmen make themselves seem loyal to the gathering though they feel squeamish about the event. Many parts of the lottery’s tradition have been changed and forgotten throughout the years but none of which have made a beneficial difference. The lottery is only in existence because it has never been challenged by the people of in the