The casting of lots to make decisions and determine fates has a long record in human history (including several instances in the Bible), but the use of lotteries for material gain is much more recent. The first public lotteries to distribute prize money were held in the Low Countries, a region that includes Belgium, during the 15th century, to raise funds for town repairs and help the poor. Today, state lotteries are the most popular form of gambling in the United States, with Americans spending over $100 billion each year on tickets. Unlike most other forms of gambling, state lotteries generate revenue that can be used to fund areas of the budget that are not adequately funded by general taxes. This fact, along with the societal harms associated with compulsive gambling and the regressive impact of state lotteries on lower-income communities, has raised concerns about their social value.
Jackson’s skillful use of allegory in “The Lottery” serves as a warning against the dark aspects of human nature, while also portraying the dangers of blindly following tradition without question. Moreover, the story illustrates that it is important to stand up against authority if it is wrong. Jackson’s narrative also criticizes democracy, as the townspeople unquestioningly participate in the lottery without any opposition. In addition, the villagers’ actions are symbolic of how power can be corrupted by groupthink. Finally, the story’s setting and ominous undertones serve to underscore the dangers of conformity in small-town life.