The story of "The Lottery" describes the annual ritual in
this unnamed town, where the townspeople gather to select a name from the box offered up
by Mr. Summers. It appears that this exercise has been occurring for a long time.
Everyone is included, even the children: no one is
exempt.
As with Shirley Jackson's "The Possibility of
Evil," the evil prevalent in the story is not obvious at
first.
The story is told in third person omniscient. The
author describes the situation not as if he/she were a part of the business, but a
casual observer on the outside, looking in. The mood of the author's writing does not
convey what is about to take place, another hallmark of Jackson's writing. It simply
describes what is taking place, and it is not until Tessie Hutchinson realizes her
family has been chosen that the anxiety in her demeanor convey a sense of suspense and
dread.
What is even more disturbing (in retrospect) is that
when their family's name is called, she suggests that other members of her family not
living in their house also be included in the final drawing.
Equally disturbing is the rejoicing of her children when they don't pick the paper with
the black mark, her husband's stoicism when he realizes that he has not been chosen, and
finally, the town's calm acceptance of what is to come as they pick up the stones with
which they will kill Tessie by stoning her to death.
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