Point Of Views In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

The Lottery
Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is a short story depicting an event where one member of a community is chosen to be killed at random. Instead of the truth of the lottery being displayed at the beginning of the story, its fatal end is not revealed until the end. The characters’ point of views in the passage expose the irony of this lottery and how each one processes the event from different perspectives. The varying viewpoints visible allow us to gain a better understanding of the emotions felt during the event and better develop the story’s timeline. Mr. Summers, described as a proper and jovial man, has been bestowed the honor of directing the lottery. While his rise to power is not revealed, it is clear he has a strong position

Tessie, a member of the community, not only arrives at the event late, but in a flustered state. This appearance immediately sets her apart from the rest of society who arrives on time and in a proper manner. After enduring teasing as she makes her way to her family, she appears to be unbothered by her outcast classification. "Mrs. Hutchinson said, grinning, “Wouldn’t have me leave m’dishes in the sink, now, would you, Joe?”" (353). Once again, this nonchalant behavior leads the reader to no suspicions surrounding the ending. Mrs. Hutchinson’s unbothered demeanor quickly changes after the announcement that her family has been chosen for the lottery. We see her begin to protest the drawing "Suddenly, Tessie Hutchinson shouted to Mr. Summers, “You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair!”" (355), “"“I think we ought to start over,” Mrs. Hutchinson said, as quietly as she could. “I tell you it wasn’t fair. You didn’t give him time enough to choose. Everybody saw that.”"(356). This view causes confusion for readers because it shows a negative view on the lottery which one would not expect under the impression that it is a monetary event. After her family is brought on the stage and has picked out their paper slips, it is illustrated that Tessie receives the black spotted paper. As the story continues, it becomes apparent that this special paper is not an honor one wants to receive. After it is revealed that the lottery results in the stoning of one individual, Tessie continues to protest this decision. " “It isn’t fair,” she said. A stone hit her on the side of the head.", "“It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,” Mrs. Hutchinson screamed and then they were upon her."(357). This final perspective we see from Mrs. Hutchinson exposes the lethal aspect of this lottery. After being blinded by the lack of information and unemotional perspectives