Figurative language is often used to bring imagery and emotion to stories, and Jackson’s “The Lottery” is no exception.
One example of figurative language used in the Lottery is when Jackson uses simile. An example of this can be found when Jackson writes, “The children assembled first, of course. They wore blue denim trousers and jackets, and their hair was freshly washed; they looked scrubbed and red-cheeked.
” By comparing the children to scrubbed apples, Jackson paints an image of the children as shiny, clean, and healthy.
Another example of figurative language used in the Lottery is when Jackson uses metaphor. An example of this can be found when Old Man Warner states, “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon. ” By equating the selection of the victim in the lottery to the harvest-season of corn, Jackson creates a metaphor for the consequences of conforming to tradition and the danger of leaving tradition unquestioned.
Finally, an example of personification can be found in the Lottery when Jackson writes, “The villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they had to requisition a sheet of paper from the hardware store and draw names from that.
” By attributing human traits and creating life out of an inanimate object, Jackson personifies the villagers and makes them more relatable and real to the reader.
Ultimately, Jackson skillfully uses figurative language to enhance the imagery of her short story and to evoke emotion in the reader.
What is an example of personification in The Lottery?
One example of personification in The Lottery is found in the line, “The villagers kept their distance” (Jackson). In this line, the villagers are assigned human qualities and characteristics to emphasize how they behave towards Tessie during the lottery.
The implication is that the villagers, who likely have known Tessie and her family for years, are actively avoiding her due to their lack of support in the situation. It also suggests that the villagers are so overwhelmed by their own emotions in the situation that they are physically separating themselves from Tessie and her family.
The personification of the villagers is used to emphasize the oppression and social pressure that Tessie is facing in the lottery.
What literary devices were used in The Lottery?
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a classic story that uses a variety of literary devices to create a great sense of suspense and dread. From the very beginning of the story, Jackson employs the use of foreshadowing to provide hints to the reader of the violent events that will take place.
For example, in the first paragraph, the reader is told that “the villagers kept their distance,” creating a feeling that something strange and sinister is happening, although the reader is not sure what.
The narrative style of the story also carefully builds tension, providing details about the ritual of the lottery as things get underway. This allows the reader to become immersed in the story, experiencing the dread and confusion of the individual characters.
Symbolism is a key part of The Lottery. The lottery itself is a symbolic representation of the disturbing realities of traditional practices blindly accepted by society, and the black box used in the lottery is symbolic of the “blind luck” that deciding a person’s fate should not be based on.
In addition, the stones the people use to stone the victim are a symbolic representation of the violent consequences of blindly following tradition.
The ending provides a great deal of irony as well. Despite its unified celebration at the beginning of the lottery, the townspeople quickly turn against each other. This sense of irony is amplified by the fact that the children are often the most enthusiastic participants in the lottery.
Finally, The Lottery contains an uncomfortable suspense that lingers well beyond the conclusion of the story. The high level of suspense and dread created by Jackson’s writing keeps the reader in suspense until the very end and leaves them with a sense of shock.
What is the black box a metaphor for in the lottery?
The black box in Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” is a metaphor for the consequences of blindly following tradition. The box is filled with paper slips containing names, and the villagers draw one to see who will be the recipient of the lottery.
Despite their uncertainty of what the winner of the lottery actually entails, the villagers follow this tradition without question. The black box symbolizes society’s collective fear of challenging the status quo and breaking away from tradition, even when it might lead to negative consequences.
It also serves as a critique of the idea that blindly adhering to traditions without question can ultimately have a detrimental result. The black box represents the inability of the villagers to question their society’s traditions without fear of persecution, and ultimately highlights their fear of the consequences of going against the grain.
What literary writing style is used in the story the lottery?
The literary writing style used in Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” is generally considered to be realism. Realism is a literary style that aims to depict a realistic and unbiased representation of life, often without any idealistic or romantic elements.
This is in contrast to other traditional writing styles, such as romanticism and classical styles, which often employ idealized characters or scenarios to encourage readers to reflect on their own existence and motivations.
The Lottery is an example of realistic fiction, as the tone and atmosphere of the story are made to resemble a real-life, unaltered setting or situation. Who are steeling themselves for a tradition that they might not understand, but accept as part of their community.
Jackson also makes use of foreshadowing to create a sense of dread throughout the story. Foreshadowing is a technique used to hint at the conclusion of a story, often using hints or clues heard from a character’s dialogue.
Jackson successfully creates a sense of mystery and dread that is both unsettling and captivating, as readers are left feeling uneasy about the story’s outcome.
Overall, the realistic writing style used in The Lottery is highly effective in creating an atmosphere of suspense and unease for the readers. While characters in the story carry out a disturbing tradition, Jackson’s writing is relatable, which resonates with readers as they are taken along for the journey.
How is allusion used in the lottery?
Allusion is used in “The Lottery” to hint at something greater happening in the story. Allusions in the story are used to draw attention to the dark and morbid consequences of blindly following tradition.
For example, the story mentions that Mr. Summers “had time to contemplate even the blurred turtle sun-drawings on the back of his paper. ” This is an allusion to Native American folklore which tells the story of a culture that allowed a turtle to determine their fate in a sacrificial ritual.
The allusion serves to suggest the consequences of superstition, and how it can lead to a bad outcome. This allusion is a subtle way to foreshadow the ending of the story, hinting at a darker moral lurking beneath the surface of the apparently harmless lottery.
The other allusion in the story is when Tessie says, “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right. ” This is an allusion to the classic biblical curse placed upon Adam and Eve for eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.
This allusion is used to bring attention to the consequences of breaking the traditions set forth by a society.
What technique is used most in The Lottery to build suspense?
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a commonly studied short story that uses multiple techniques to build suspense. These techniques draw readers in, making them want to know what happens next. One of the most important techniques used in The Lottery to build suspense is foreshadowing.
Jackson hints at a dark and troubling outcome from the very beginning of the story by having foreboding dialogue from Mr. Summers and Mrs. Hutchinson. This sets the stage for the surprise ending and immediately places the reader into a mental state of anticipation.
Another technique used to build suspense is the use of disturbing imagery. Throughout the story, Jackson paints a vivid picture of life in the town, revealing details such as the characters’ cheerless faces and the black box used in the lottery.
This creates an atmosphere of tension and dread that intensifies as the story progresses.
The use of discomforting dialogue is also effective in building suspense. Jackson paints a picture of an isolated townspeople, who are so accustomed to the lottery that it’s almost a grotesque tradition.
This implies that something dark is about to take place and creates a sense of dread as the story goes on.
By utilizing foreshadowing, vivid imagery, and unsettling dialogue, Jackson creates a sense of suspense and intrigue that keeps readers engaged and anticipating the story’s conclusion.
What point of view is The Lottery written in?
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is written in a third person point of view. By telling the story in a third person point of view, the author is able to give the reader a detailed look into the events of the day and thoughts of the characters.
We get to observe the characters from a distance, allowing the reader to gain a better understanding about the tradition of the lottery and why people continue it despite its deadly consequences. Through use of third person point of view, Shirley Jackson paints a vivid picture about the harmful effects of blindly following traditions without questioning for the reader to understand.
Why is the lottery story ironic?
The lottery story is ironic because the community comes together annually to celebrate an event that ironically only results in one of them being the victim of a sacrifice. The lottery is seen as a tradition and the people gather in joyful anticipation of the result of their drawing, yet the result will decide who will be persecuted, judged, and ultimately stoned or otherwise punished by their own community.
Even though the story does end before the actual punishment occurs,it is still ironic that a lottery is used to pick one person who will then be punished in a cruel manner. This irony is especially clear when one considers how many people still partake in actual lottery games in the hopes of winning, yet in this story the lottery is used for nothing but ill omens.
What are some examples of irony in the story the lottery for example why might the title the lottery or the opening description in paragraph one be considered ironic?
The title of the story ‘The Lottery’ could be considered ironic, as in the end of the story it is revealed that the lottery is actually a ritualistic event where someone is sacrificed each year by being stoned to death by the villagers.
Although a lottery usually evokes ideas of luck and winning something, there is no reward or victory in this case.
In terms of the opening description in the first paragraph, the atmosphere is peaceful and pleasant, with the villagers gathering on a beautiful summer day, in an idyllic environment. This pleasant atmosphere is juxtaposed with the gruesome outcome of the lottery draws, ultimately heightening the sense of irony.
The peaceful atmosphere of the village in the beginning of the story sets up an expectation of a nice event, unaware that it will turn out to be a murderous sacrifice.