Literary Elements In The Lottery

Literary Elements used in The Lottery By definition the word lottery means a process or thing whose success or outcome is measured by chance (“lottery”). To most people winning the lottery would conjure up excitement and overall good feelings. However, in the short story The Lottery written by Shirley Jackson, the lottery has a twisted and horrific meaning. Jackson weaves the theme of tradition and peer pressure together, until they clash and explode on the unfortunate Tessie Hutchinson. Jackson uses many literary elements to get this image in the minds of the reader. Using elements such as foreshadowing, characterization, irony, setting, themes and many more, the reader is transported to this event to witness a tradition, of seventy-seven

First, foreshadowing is shown when the little boys in the town are picking out rocks before the lottery beings. The kids are having normal conversations while selecting smooth and round stones. “Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones… eventually made a great pile of stones in one corner of the square and guarded it against the raids of the other boys” (Jackson 247). Jackson uses this set up as foreshadowing the use of the rocks. At this point, the reader may not even realize the meaning behind the stones but they soon figure out their horrific

Imagery is used throughout the story but is exceptionally important when the setting is being set up, and when Tessie is getting stoned. Jackson describes the setting in such detail so the reader can visualize this perfect town in the summer weather, “ the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green” (Jackson 247). . The other scene filled with imagery is when Tessie is getting stoned. This is sad for the reader because the reader can sense the amount of pain she is in, and can feel her vulnerability throughout this part. She screams, “It isn’t fair, It isn’t right” (Jackson 252) which makes the reader want to reach into the story and help her. The use of imagery captivates the reader’s