The Story of the Lottery
A lottery is a form of gambling in which participants pay a small amount of money for a chance to win a larger sum of money. Financial lotteries, usually run by state or federal government, offer prizes that can range from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars. The prize money is determined by drawing a series of numbers from a large pool of entries, and the winners are chosen through a random process. The lottery is also a popular way for governments to raise revenue.
While lottery commissions have tried to downplay the regressive nature of their product, the truth is that they know full well that there’s an inextricable impulse in people to gamble, especially when the potential payout is so great. Lottery ads dangle the promise of instant riches, which is a message that appeals to people who feel trapped by economic insecurity and lack of social mobility.
The setting of this story shows the underlying evil of humanity. The setting is very peaceful and casual, but the people in it are evil. They treat each other with little regard and show no remorse. They are numb and cynical, and they have no conscience. This is what Shirley Jackson wanted to convey in this short story.
Early in the story, Jackson mentions that “the children assembled first, of course” (Jackson 1). This indicates that these children are excited for the lottery and they view it as an event that they take part in every year. Nevertheless, they are about to participate in a very dangerous game, so it’s important to note that their behavior is extremely suspicious.
Lotteries have long been a common method for dividing up property, whether that be land or slaves. They have been used throughout history by kings, Roman emperors, and even by Moses in the Old Testament. They were brought to America by British colonists, and their popularity has risen over the years. They have been able to raise money for everything from public works to military wars.
In the 1700s, lotteries became a popular way for states to generate income without raising taxes. As Cohen writes, they were a “budgetary miracle, a way for legislators to make revenue appear seemingly out of thin air.”
The story of the Lottery is about many things, but one of the most important lessons it teaches us is that we should not trust other people. This is an important lesson for anyone to remember, especially in our modern society. This story is an example of the many ways that our world can be cruel and unforgiving. It is up to each of us to do our best to stay safe and avoid harming others.
Lottery is a story about the many sins of humans. It takes place in a remote American village, where customs and traditions are very prevalent. This story is an excellent example of characterization methods, such as setting and action.
