A lottery is a procedure for distributing money or prizes among people by chance. In modern times, a lottery is usually run by state agencies that distribute chances for a small number of prizes through a network of retailers and vendors, or through scratch-off tickets. The winnings are then paid out to ticket holders based on their grouping of numbers or symbols (such as letters or shapes) in a drawn pool. Prizes are typically cash or goods. Historically, lotteries have been popular ways for states to raise money for public projects. They were used to help fund the establishment of America’s first English colonies, and in colonial America, they helped finance streets, wharves, and churches. George Washington sponsored a lottery to raise funds for the Revolutionary War, and in the 18th century, the large private lotteries of that period helped finance Harvard, Yale, and other colleges.
During this time of great prosperity, a few lucky winners gained tremendous wealth and became renowned for their good works and generosity. They also enriched their families and communities with the gifts they received. But most did not win, and they did not realize that the odds were against them. This is the main theme of Shirley Jackson’s short story The Lottery, which was published in 1956. The story explores the grotesque prejudice and hypocrisy that is often found in society.
Jackson uses characterization methods, including setting and actions, to develop the characters in The Lottery. Her description of the people in the village shows that they live in a community that values conformity and distrusts change. In addition, the villagers greet each other and gossip without a hint of concern about the fact that they are participating in a lottery. This reinforces the idea that a person’s character can be judged by how they treat strangers.
Although the villagers are participating in the lottery because of tradition, their actions suggest that they do not understand its purpose. This is consistent with the biblical principle that God wants us to earn our wealth through diligent work, not by taking advantage of others. Lazy hands make for poverty, and the Lord will reward those who work hard. (Proverbs 23:5)
The story also suggests that the villagers are unaware of their own iniquity, as indicated by Mrs. Delacroix’s actions after she is picked. The act of picking the big rock reveals her determination and her quick temper. She does not care that her behavior is inhumane and reflects a dark side of human nature.
In a society where people are often obsessed with winning the lottery, there is a need for education about the dangers of gambling. But instead of teaching people how to avoid it, state legislators and other political leaders promote the lottery as a form of “painless” revenue, encouraging voters to support it. They fail to tell them that the vast majority of people who play the lottery are committed gamblers who spend a significant portion of their income on tickets.
