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Shirley Jackson's “The Lottery" - Coggle Diagram
Shirley Jackson's “The Lottery"
Influence on Understanding:
Through "The Lottery," I became more aware of larger social issues and the dangers of uncritically following tradition. It invites us to more carefully evaluate commonly accepted actions and beliefs, as well as the negative effects that can arise from collective stupidity.
Summarise the key details
Evaluation :
Conflict :
The main conflict arises when Tessie Hutchinson realizes her husband has drawn the marked slip of paper. She protests that the lottery is unfair, highlighting her individual struggle against the collective tradition of the village
Rising action :
Tension builds as all heads of households draw slips from the black box. Tessie arrives late and is initially dismissed but soon becomes central to the unfolding drama as her family is selected for further drawing.
Exposition :
The story begins on a sunny day in June, as the villagers gather in the town square for the annual lottery. The atmosphere is cheerful, and families are present, including children who collect stones. Mr. Summers oversees the lottery process
Falling Action :
As Tessie screams that it isn’t fair, the villagers begin to close in on her with stones they had gathered earlier. This moment highlights the chilling reality of their tradition and their willingness to conform to it
Resolution :
The story concludes with Tessie being stoned to death by the villagers, who carry out this brutal ritual without question. This shocking ending underscores the dangers of blindly following tradition and raises questions about morality and societal norms
Main Characters :
Tessie Hutchinson: Mother and woman who was chosen in the vote, representing the voice of resistance to tradition.
mr. Summers: Organizer of a poll that shows how one can get caught up in the system.
Bill Hutchinson
Character: Tessie's husband who seems passive and does not take action to protect his family. He was involved in the voting process but did not show the courage to go against tradition.
Old Man Warner
Character: The oldest resident of the town who sticks to tradition. He represents the conservative voice that rejects change and thinks that voting is necessary to ensure the safety of society.
Delacroix
Character: A neighbor of the Hutchinson family who at first seems friendly, but later engages in brutal acts during rituals. This shows how individuals can change in extreme situations.
Children
Characters: The children in town, including Hutchinson's children, who collect stones. They reflect how unquestioned traditions can be passed on to future generations, without understanding their true implications.
Themes :
Tradition and Human Folly: This story criticizes unquestioned tradition.
Cruelty and Humanity: It shows how quickly society can act cruelly in the name of tradition.
Opinions :
Strength:
Narrative Strengths: Jackson's simple but meaningful writing style creates tension that culminates at the end of the story.
Portrayal of Social Realism: This story reflects the reality that society often ignores morality for the sake of tradition.
Disadvantages:
Ambiguity of Background: Readers may feel that there is little explanation given to the origins of this tradition.
Lack of Character Development: While the main character is there, some of the other characters may feel lacking in depth.
Response to the Text
Opinions and Personal Reflections: This book leaves a deep impression on how we need to reflect on traditions in society. It invites the reader to question existing norms and realize the potential folly in following them without question.