How Does Jackson Use Symbols In The Lottery

In the short story, “The Lottery”, Jackson’s use of symbols reveals a twisting plot that isn’t recognizable until nearly at the end of the story. Her use of third person point of view is

Shirley Jackson also utilizes literary devices to good effect in “The Lottery,” especially that of symbolism. By keeping the setting devoid of any identifying details, Jackson frees the reader to imagine that it could be any place. The only constraints that the author places on her readers’ creativity are that the town is decidedly rural, perhaps narrowing the critique to the cultural scene most frequently associated with small town America. Other symbols include the box from which the lottery slips are drawn (an old and black object which heralds death), stoning as a method of execution (a particularly old and excruciating way to kill someone), and ritual itself (a series of often ill contemplated actions for which one needs no particular reason to follow). All of these, with their marked reference to age, clearly refer to tradition.

Culture and history have always remained an important influence on literature. It can be both cruel and inspiring in their own ways. Jackson’s “The Lottery” can also be seen in this context. Culture is a powerful influence in people’s lives which are bound by traditions and customs. The author uses numerous symbols to portray the worst flaws of human creatures. She uses names, mostly symbols to show the ignorance of sacrificial lottery. The sacrifices which used to satisfy the god of harvest, have no meaning to their culture. However, The Lottery does not only represent tradition. It serves a fear in the villagers that if they rebel against the social rules, they might be selected for the next lottery. The author is showing how a person would rather sacrifice their own

Throughout the whole story they talk about the black box saying that if they do away with it their crops won’t grow and that it’s a tradition. “It holds the key between life and death for every single person in the community.” It shows that is ado or die situation in and you must be apart of it in the community. It also represents tradition, “Harsh tradition of our society many of which we carry out daily with knowing why. We have tradition because we’re so accustomed to it not knowing why we do it, people just go along with it and do it because it a tradition and they think they have to follow it because their families from the past use to practices it.

Jackson employs the use of symbolism in many of her characters surnames throughout “The Lottery” to promote her theme. Of these many symbols, and arguably the most deeply hidden and relevant, is the symbolism of the Martin characters. The youngest Martin, Bobby, is a leader among the village youth, as witnessed by “the other boys following his example” (Jackson). Compared to the other children, the narrator places great emphasis upon Bobby Martin by mentioning the character four times, indicating that the Jackson desires to draw her reader’s attention towards the boy for analysis. The surname Martin is Latin for “Martinus, a derivative of Mars, the Roman god of fertility and war” (Hanks).

The concept of a box is simple; usually four walls accompanied by a floor and roof to contain or hold an object. However, Shirley Jackson shows in “The Lottery” that a box can be so much more than merely its constructive description. If we chose to look at life and take everything as it appears to be then we may miss an entire world. One’s ability to revel in the deeper wonders of life can provide a truly fulfilling experience. These deeper wonders are all around us, yet, it is the fact that they are so well hidden beneath ordinary means that gives them their rich powers of enlightenment.

The first and most noticeable symbol in the story is the Lottery. Jackson uses the Lottery as a contradiction to what the meaning of what a Lottery really means. At first, I was very interested in what the winner of the Lottery acquired because most of the townspeople seemed to be in good spirit about it. The Lottery was a tradition that most people could not forget about unless your name was Tesse Hutchinson.

Symbolism is extremely important in literature because it provides a deeper meaning to the noun that is being described. In “The Lottery”, the black box is an obvious demonstration of symbolism. It symbolizes power and loyalty; the villagers have always been and will remain loyal to it, as their ancestors did. “Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box” (Jackson 134). They do not plan on changing anything about it anytime soon, regardless of the shape that it’s

When writing, authors can employ many literary devices. One of the many literary devices is symbolism. Symbolism sets the theme and makes the reader question. The symbols can help stress the theme of the story.

Shirley Jackson 's 'The Lottery ', is a story that is filled with symbolism. The author uses symbolism to help her represent human nature as tainted, no matter how pure one thinks of himself or herself, or how pure their environment may seem to be. The story is very effective in raising many questions about the pointless nature of humanity regarding tradition and violence. 'The Lottery ' clearly expresses Jackson 's feelings concerning mankind?s evil nature hiding behind traditions and rituals. She shows how coldness and lack of compassion in people can exhibit in situations regarding tradition and values. Jackson presents the theme of this short story with a major use of symbolism. Symbolism shows throughout the setting of 'The Lottery, ' the objects, the peoples actions, and even in the time and the names of the lucky contestants.

Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” invokes many literary and literal messages through ear catching and intriguing use of symbolism. Symbols, a person, object, action, place, or event that suggest a different, hidden meaning other than its literal meaning, within her story create mental images and enhance the theme of the story. Jackson’s theme shows how people’s compassion and coldness in situations is dependent upon their traditions and values, even if the traditions are cruel, inhuman, and uncivilized. Starting at the title and following through to concluding paragraphs/lines symbolism is being exemplified. These descriptive, yet discreet, symbols leave the reader clinging to the pages.

“The Mystery Box” Shirley Jackson uses symbolism to make readers aware of the pointless nature of humanity regarding tradition and violence. A symbol is a person, object, action, place, or event that in addition to its literal meaning, suggest a more complex meaning or range of meanings. The symbol in the story is the black box which represents doom, tradition, and mystery.

Symbolism is often used in literature to convey something or some idea with... well a symbol without openly stating it. In Shirley Jackson's “The Lottery” symbolism is used heavily. To set up a tone that contrasts the initial atmosphere, to add mysterious feel to the story, and to hide what was happening in the story till the very end.

villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as

Culture and history have always had an important influence on society. It can be both bad and inspiring in their own ways. Jackson’s “The Lottery” can also be seen in this point of view. Culture is a powerful influence in people’s lives which are bound by traditions and customs. The author uses numerous symbols to portray the worst flaws of human creatures. She uses names, mostly symbols to show the ignorance of sacrificial lottery. The sacrifices which used to satisfy the god of harvest, have no meaning to their culture. However, The Lottery does not only represent tradition. It serves a fear in the villagers that if they rebel against the social rules, they might be selected for the next lottery. The author is showing how a person would rather sacrifice their own family rather than speak up and question authority.