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How Does The Lottery By Shirley Jackson Change

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Traditions are greatly valued within societies and are a connection to the early ages of a culture. Overtime the morals of individuals change and develop, but when a tradition fails to match the transitioning morals of a society, problems form. This occurs in Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” when people in a village are too brainwashed by the past to see the brutal truth of their actions. Every year a lottery takes place that ends with a murder at the hands of the family, friends, and neighbors of the victim. In “The Lottery” Jackson uses symbolism as a tool to illustrate the change in the village. In the text “The Lottery” Jackson uses symbolism of the name of Mr. Summer’s, the stones, and the black box to enhance the theme that …show more content…

Summers’ name to illustrate the change in society’s morals when the lottery occurs. A common theme in the story is that traditions can change a society. Mr. Summers is described as a “jovial man” in the beginning of the text and his name has the direct connection to warmth and happiness. Mr. Summers runs the Lottery and is an influential leader in his community. In the text it states “ The lottery was conducted -- as were square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program -- by Mr. Summers… devote to civic activities” (Jackson 1). The author describes Mr. Summers as running “civic activities”, which is ironic as he organizes a murder. In addition, Mr. Summers’ name itself is very ironic in the sense that summer has the connotation of warmth and brightness. But, he has a dark side as he leads the lottery. Mr. Summers represents the change in society; he hosts the teen club but also the lottery. When the time for the lottery comes, everyone within the village changes from amiable neighbors to animals. As the same people who take part in a Halloween Party stone the neighbors they once cared about. Furthermore, Mr. Summers also changes during the lottery time from teen club coordinator to a criminal in some communities. Mr. Summer’s illustrates the difference between the morals of a society with and without traditions. The symbolism of Mr. Summers’ name is used develops the theme and the dark mood in the

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