The Lottery by Shirline Jackson - Book Report/Review Example

Initially, the title Lottery seems to generate a sense that the story had something related to money where the story was expected to revolve around people trying out their luck to win money. The description of friendly language amongst the villages and the portrayal of the Lottery as an event like any other village ceremony seem to illustrate the Lottery as a happy and festive occasion. The story is structured in a manner that generates anticipation in the mind of the reader and all along, it is expected that the winner of the lottery would win a prize.

it is only at the very end of the story that the reader comes to know of the winner’s ultimate fate, which is being stoned to death as a sacrifice for a rich harvest. The people in the village are closely bound by tradition and a Lottery is a traditional event, which is held every year. Despite the fact that they stand to lose one of their own people, the villagers choose to perform it every year in a bid to obtain a good harvest, which is essential for the well being of the whole village.

The fact that no one dares to question such a horrible event goes on to show the importance of tradition within the community in the story. The Second World War had a profound influence on the story as millions of Americans and others had taken part in the world and suffered immensely. They had experienced such hardships and had to make so many sacrifices that it was necessary to alert and educate everyone of the evil present in the world.