The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Chris OConnor · Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:01 am Post subject: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

I think every high school student has to read this one, so for most of you this story will be old news. But I really loved the emotions it stirred up in me when I read it way back then.

Here is a link to the story online. If anyone wants to talk about it make a post!

Loricat

Chris, I too remember reading this as a kid. Freaked me out.

Now I can appreciate the casual banalities of the conversations, as the people gather, and the boys gather the rocks, almost as an afterthought ('Aren't they just playing?' you think to yourself).

This is a classic example of how beliefs that limit one's thinking are often compounded...here by the casual assumption that a teenager is more able to act on behalf of the family instead of the mother, an adult, but female. It's something I try to keep in mind, to keep myself from getting blindsided -- if someone displays one prejudice, s/he will most likely display the whole gamut.

"All beings are the owners of their deeds, the heirs to their deeds."

Loricat's Book Nook
Celebrating the Absurd

anotheradmirer · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 12:41 am Post subject:

This story is in the textbook for a literary class at my college. The story is totally frightening. There's no way out, only the disgusting and nonsensical ritual passed on from one generation to another. It's scary how people can blindly hold on to such irrational belief. The most terrible thing is that that kind of ritual might be held somewhere in the world at the present time. Sad

Ophelia · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 2:12 am Post subject:

Yes, this is one story you are not likely to forget.
I remember the moment I was first given it to read as a student.

Shirley Jackson takes things to extremes by making the ritual absurd ( a lottery) and putting it in in a place that sounds like twentieth century America.

But some civilizations made human sacrifices to ensure that the Gods would give them a good harvest, and many rituals from the past were absurd and barbaric so I see the story as a catalyst for all those things.

I remember it as being set in one of those turning points in history (like the real story of Umoja village in Kenya)-- the fact that the other villages around had already given up the lottery make the victim's situation all the more grotesque and heart-rending.

Thank you for your contributions Wid- Sha-Ya, I'm glad to see that you are finding your way around our forums. Smile

ralphinlaos · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 3:15 am Post subject:

An excellent short story, truly frightening. I've always been a fan of Shirley Jackson's writings. We Have Always Lived in This Castle and The Haunting of Hill House are also terrific. I remember reading a biography of Miss Jackson years ago - not a happy lady.

Ralph

charliespeaks · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:27 am Post subject:

I love the irony of the title. "The Lottery" sounds like it would be a good thing. There was a film called population 436. It was actually not too bad of a film but I'm pretty sure it was lottery inspired.

Chris OConnor · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 2:25 am Post subject:

I was in Border's Books today and saw a novel called "Lottery" on the shelves. I wonder if it is anything like the short story.


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