The Lottery by Shirley Jackson - Use of Symbols
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson is Post World War II work of fiction.
It was published in 1948.
It is full of irony and symbolism.
It has multiple themes all supported by brilliant use of literary tools by the writer.
The writer uses the story to convey the message that conservative attitude and values are predominate in human societies.
People resist change and follow blindly the ideals of their predecessors.
Here is a glance at the different symbols used in the short story.
Old Man Warner.
He is an old man representing old values.
He is the symbol of unchanged traditions.
He is very annoyed by the fact that lottery system has been changed in different parts of the country.
He wants to make sure that people should know the importance of old traditions.
Mr.
Summers.
His name is Summers, he is the owner of a coal mine.
He is the symbol of evil hiding itself under the guise of smiling face and sober looks.
His name is also ironical as Summer is for life but Mr.
Summers stands for death.
He remains cool and calm in front of villagers.
He conducts the whole process with utmost ease and relaxation.
He is the owner of coal mine, suggesting that he is the one who brings death, destruction and damage.
Coal suggests his ownership with evilness and death.
Mr.
Graves.
As his name suggests he is the symbol of death.
He reminds of grave.
He is the one who brings black box and places it.
He is in the background of Mr.
Summers, again suggesting that death is hiding itself behind the evil.
Black Box.
It is again symbol of death.
Its color suggests death and evil.
It also represents old barbaric tradition of killing a villager for the sack of the community.
We are told that box is old and shabby, representing old and dangerous tradition.
We are also told that no one is ready to change the old box and every one wants to stick with old box despite the fact that it is very old.
It again suggests people unwillingness to change the values and traditions.
Above are some of the symbols used in the story.
It has more symbols and other literary tools like irony and setting also to its credit.
The writer is able to convey her message in very strong and powerful manner.
The story has ability to shock the reader, signifying brilliance of irony.
"The Lottery" is a very good work of fiction, which can be interpreted with variety of themes.
It is a small and griping story.
It has power to keep reader interested and conveys message in simple but strong style.
It was published in 1948.
It is full of irony and symbolism.
It has multiple themes all supported by brilliant use of literary tools by the writer.
The writer uses the story to convey the message that conservative attitude and values are predominate in human societies.
People resist change and follow blindly the ideals of their predecessors.
Here is a glance at the different symbols used in the short story.
Old Man Warner.
He is an old man representing old values.
He is the symbol of unchanged traditions.
He is very annoyed by the fact that lottery system has been changed in different parts of the country.
He wants to make sure that people should know the importance of old traditions.
Mr.
Summers.
His name is Summers, he is the owner of a coal mine.
He is the symbol of evil hiding itself under the guise of smiling face and sober looks.
His name is also ironical as Summer is for life but Mr.
Summers stands for death.
He remains cool and calm in front of villagers.
He conducts the whole process with utmost ease and relaxation.
He is the owner of coal mine, suggesting that he is the one who brings death, destruction and damage.
Coal suggests his ownership with evilness and death.
Mr.
Graves.
As his name suggests he is the symbol of death.
He reminds of grave.
He is the one who brings black box and places it.
He is in the background of Mr.
Summers, again suggesting that death is hiding itself behind the evil.
Black Box.
It is again symbol of death.
Its color suggests death and evil.
It also represents old barbaric tradition of killing a villager for the sack of the community.
We are told that box is old and shabby, representing old and dangerous tradition.
We are also told that no one is ready to change the old box and every one wants to stick with old box despite the fact that it is very old.
It again suggests people unwillingness to change the values and traditions.
Above are some of the symbols used in the story.
It has more symbols and other literary tools like irony and setting also to its credit.
The writer is able to convey her message in very strong and powerful manner.
The story has ability to shock the reader, signifying brilliance of irony.
"The Lottery" is a very good work of fiction, which can be interpreted with variety of themes.
It is a small and griping story.
It has power to keep reader interested and conveys message in simple but strong style.
