Social Hysteria in Shirley Jacksons The Lottery Essay example -- Shir

Social Hysteria in The Lottery Tradition is a central theme in Shirley Jackons compact story The Lottery. Images such as the black box and characters such as Old Man Warner, Mrs. Adams, and Mrs. Hutchinson display to the reader not only the persistency with which the townspeople cling to the tradition of the drawing, except also the wavering realize of it by others. In just a few pages, Jackson manages to realise the sometimes long forgotten purpose of rituals, as well as the inevitable questioning of the necessity for such springers. The black box represents about the only part of the original ritual that has been preserved since the lottery began. It is at that place not only to hold the papers that will be drawn, but also to represent to the townsfolk the tradition. The black box is constructed of pieces of the original box, a link to the time when the purpose of the lottery was clear. Most of the old custom has been forgotten wood chips have been replaced with paper slip s, and on one dejection remember the recital and ritual salute that had previously been part of the lottery but the o...