The lottery is a form of gambling in which a prize, often money, is awarded to people who have purchased tickets. It has a long history and can be traced back to the Renaissance. It is popular with many governments and private promoters as a means of raising funds. Its popularity has also fueled controversy over the ethics of the practice.
The Lottery in Shirley Jackson’s Short Story
In this short story, Shirley Jackson portrays how the lottery is a tradition that has been going on for years in the village. Despite its harmful effects, the villagers continue to take part in it because they believe it’s a good thing. For example, Old Man Warner mentions that when the lottery happens in June, the corn will be heavy and the crops will be better. Therefore, they do it every year.
Jackson’s message in this story is that people should stand up for their rights if they believe the system is wrong. The villagers in her story do not stand up for Tessie Hutchinson even when they know she’s about to be stoned. It shows how evil and hypocritical some small-town people can be.
One of the reasons people play the lottery is that they want to win the big prize. This desire is fueled by the illusion of control, which occurs when people overestimate their ability to influence outcomes that are largely left up to chance. For instance, some players buy tickets for a particular store or time of day because they think it will increase their chances of winning.