preview

Examples Of Foreshadowing In The Lottery

Decent Essays

Foreshadowing can be described as “Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story” (Foreshadowing) In “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, foreshadowing is used to create a glimpse into the future that later builds up into a surprising conclusion. All throughout the story there is many examples of foreshadowing that makes the ending of the short story very thrilling and shocking. Some foreshadowing that occurs is the gathering of stones, the hurry to get the lottery over with, and lastly how Tessie Hutchinson did not want to accept her husband “winning” the lottery. One of the first instances of foreshadowing is the children of the village gathering rocks before the event began. “Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones…” (Jackson 260) Collecting rocks did seem a bit ominous, but was quickly forgotten as the story continues. The beginning of the story ties into the end as the reader does not find out the reason for the rocks until the very end of the story when the rock are used for a murder weapon. “Although the villagers had …show more content…

“You didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted! I saw you. It wasn’t fair!” (Jackson 264) Tessie was desperate to get redo and be able to redraw. Another instance that foreshadows the ending was how a girl from the crowd whispered, “I hope it’s not Nancy” (Jackson 265) one of Tessie’s kids, signaling that whoever is the “chosen one” from the Hutchinson family will face something terrible. “Then the stoning begins, turning reality on its head. Because Jackson is so meticulous in grounding us in realistic, specific details, they sharpen the violence and make the ending so incredibly surprising.”

Get Access