The Use Of Irony In Shirley Jackson's The Lottery

When examining the story about “The Lottery”, the audience will often find themselves baffled at the outcome of the story towards the end, as this was not a lottery for money, but for death. The secondary reactions would be laughter at such absurdity or the shake of a head because, honestly, how many people would expect such irony from a seemingly normal text? Questions arise such as why did the people allow this, how can they be desensitized to this, and who started this in the first place? However, if the reader would look back and carefully study the wording of some paragraphs, they will be astonished to find hidden messages about the origination of such a gruesome tradition.

The best feeling one can experience is winning a prize. For example, when one wins the lottery, one is excited, however not the lottery in the story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. The lottery in this story represents a certain kind of irony known as situational irony. Now, this is not the only example of irony included in this story there are also examples of verbal irony and dramatic irony. In The story “The Lottery” there are countless instances of situational irony, verbal irony, and dramatic irony that presents readers with the barbaric ways of the town and allows readers to have an insight on the town’s issues.

Originally printed in the June 26, 1948 issue of The New Yorker, Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” brought about controversy from the beginning. Magazine subscriptions were immediately canceled due to the outrage at the brutal underlying message. Mrs. Jackson tore down virtually every institution that American Citizens hold dear to their hearts. Jackson believes we should not just blindly follow authority or blindly partake in any traditions that we may not understand to the full extent. “Any human institution which is allowed to continue unchallenged and unconsidered until it becomes a destructive, rather than a constructive, force in men's lives…” “The Lottery” explicates this in a manner in which you must know the underlying message to

The title, "The Lottery" would stimulate images of luck, wealth, winning, or other positive associations. However, the specific lottery in this story is a one that someone would normally avoid participation in, as the only prize is death. Rather than being excited to be announced the "winner," the only way to truly win this lottery is to not have your name drawn. Another example of irony would be found in the third paragraph where it references the women who arrived "wearing faded house dresses and sweaters." Though one would expect a rich, wealthy atmosphere being associated with a lottery, the villagers have modest, rather poor attire. The character, Mr. Summers, is another example of irony as his name would suggest a fun, light, and carefree season, yet he brings malignant intentions to the table as his job is to oversee the choosing of a

As Perrine explains the use of irony we realize its prominence in the story. The readers aren't the only ones to realize how pointless the tradition of the lottery is, in fact, the townsmen feel it as well. Perhaps it is a silent wishing that compels the townspeople to have apathy towards to the lottery box that continues to crumble with age,the underlying thought that after the box turns to dust so will the supposedly ancient tradition of the lottery. Then again, however, it shows that years have passed and time has muddled to original lottery unrecognizable and yet the townsmen still feel a connection to it (Jackson 279). This is an act of editorialized irony, using distinct word

The short story, The Lottery, was written by Shirley Jackson and was published by The New Yorker in June 26, 1948. Within the story contains numerous amount of literary elements, such as irony, symbolism, and tone, all are used to convey Jackson’s ultimate message.

The Lottery is a story filled with many hidden and unclear symbols and underlying themes; it is a story filled with plot twist and irony. The story starting out as a peaceful town gathering for “The Black Box drawing” or “Lottery” and turning into someone drawing a paper and winning death. The writing style of the short story is very bland and not overly emotional, the plot of the story is mid summer in a village of time origin unknown. The underlying message throughout Jacksons story is Following traditions; even though the towns people may not want to stone another member of their society it is a custom they have followed for years and is habit now. “… but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box.”(255)

In Shirley Jackson’s short story, “The Lottery”, the title itself is ironic. Contrary to what the reader might think from early on in the story, or even form prior knowledge, the “lottery” is not something one would want to win in this case. This story is told in a third person, very limited, omniscient point of view. While the narrator introduces a number of characters and their histories, the narrator never discloses any of the characters thoughts at any time during the story.

You has pointed out a very interesting point of the story regarding to rule of the lottery.That it is kinda irony for the fact that when someone won something in a game that they participate in, that person would received an awards, but instead, in this short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. The person that won the lottery would received a punishment. In this case, the punishment that the winner received was peoples in the whole village threw rocks at him/her. I, too, did not think people would kill someone just for the fun of a game, but then I realized that most of these people did know what they was doing, and they just following other. Even though, little

What are some examples of irony in this story? Provide examples to support your claim.

Our traditions which are the fiber of our core can either enlighten us or enslaved us into a mob mentality of thinking that can will corrupt our children The destruction and devastation that were causing can effect not just a village but our entire nation

Does a beautiful sunny morning in a cute little town sound like a perfect setting for a stoning occurring later that day? The setting of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson has significant meaning to the plot of the story. The setting represents elements of irony, tradition, and unity. “The Lottery” starts off with a nice description of the day of June 27th in the town. The story describes the day as, “clear and sunny, with a fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green.”

Conflict and Tone build up the story and ultimately lead to the theme of The Lottery. Conflict starts the story on its path to the theme. The Conflict gives the story purpose and sets it up for the theme. Tone gives the story expression and allows us to perceive the mood of the story a lot better. Conflict and tone help the story’s theme.

I thought the story was on the slow side for me. The plot isn’t a difficult one to grasp a hold of. In my mind it comes off as a setting in an early colonization time, almost like a beginning America. I can kind of see in my mind a pilgrim early settler type clothing probably being worn. The title defiantly has a bit of irony in it. The lottery is not something you want to “win”.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be stoned to death or to have your most prized possession ruined? Well, Shirley Jackson in her fictional short stories, The Lottery and The Possibility of Evil, uses many literary devices — such as irony, structure, and symbols — to convey these feelings to create a mood of suspense. Shirley Jackson’s works are similar through their structure and use of symbols but they are different because of their uses of irony.