The Lottery By Shirley Jackson Poe

Why do some people hurt themselves and other people? There are some stories that dive into the complexity of the human brain, probing our illogical beliefs and habits, while others are meant to inspire or offer an escape from reality. Two of the most well-known and divisive mystery authors in American history, Edgar Allan Poe and Shirley Jackson, frequently explored themes of rage, grief, loss, excessive expectations, and dread of the unknown. These authors use foreshadowing, symbolism, and metaphors in works like Poe's "The Raven" Jackson's "The Lottery" and "We Have Always Lived in The Castle" to show how death, grief, and cruelty are universal themes. These mysterious, suspenseful, and gloomy stories are meant to evoke thought and provide

When the main character discovers that his memories of his ex-lover are still constantly haunting him, he wishes for his own death to put an end to the agony of his sadness, much like the dying embers of a fire. The sensation of dread and hopelessness that permeates the space is intensified by the ghostly images that each dying ember projects onto the floorAlthough the writer desires the dawn of a new day, he is aware that such an event will not bring him any relief from his misery because he has already looked fruitlessly through his books for any consolation for the agony he feels. He is saddened by the loss of his beloved Lenore, whose absence still affects him deeply. (Lines 7-9

However, the unexpected and unsettling climax of the tale reveals the actual significance of the narrative. As American literary scholar He Pratap puts it, "Jackson's 'The Lottery' exposes the horrors that a supposedly civilized society can hide under a dominant male mindset" (Pratap par. 9). The townspeople gather in the square, eagerly anticipating the yearly tradition of "The Lottery." However, the meaning of the lottery is unclear, and the villagers' actions and conversations become increasingly ominous. The black box is a potent symbol of death, with its long history in the village and the ritual surrounding its use. As the names are called, the tension builds, and when Tessie Hutchinson is chosen, the meaning of the lottery becomes clear. The white slips of paper, previously seen as symbols of life, now represent the villagers' complicity in the deadly ritual. The final line, "It isn't fair, it isn't right," (par. 62 ) highlights the injustice and brutality of the lottery and forces the reader to question the morality of blindly following tradition. The stones are yet another crucial component of the tale that encourages participation from a wide range of individuals, including adults and young children. Since the time of the Bible, Christians, and members of religious groups have been