What Literature Does Assignment: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

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What Literature Does Assignment: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson 
In The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, the villagers observe the ritual tradition of drawing lotteries and the people selected are then stoned.”The lottery was conducted--as were the square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program--by Mr.Summers who had time and energy to devote to civic activities,” (Jackson 1) . To begin with, it appears as though the event is a festival, but the ending highlights the horrors of the barbaric act. The story represents folklore with the characters involved in mundane pursuits that have repercussions for the whole community who are bound by traditions. John Gander states that fictional writers are effective when they create a vivid and continuous dream to the readers, where the author takes a philosophical view to depict a shining performance.
Gardner argues that a fictional story ought to function as a vivid and continuous dream. The author foreshadows the story’s ending as children gather stones, while the authors stand in groups talking in low tones. Jackson’s story supports the fictional dream narrative as identified by Gardner since the actions of the characters are tied to drawing the lottery and using stones to sacrifice on person in the village tenure better crops. The flow of action is continuous as the people involved gather around to know who picks the lottery. Mrs. Hutchison who is stoned by the villagers is an individual standing up against the societal norms, and conflict with the society makes the story memorable.
Even though, Jackson’s story may appear improbable, the writer uses dramatic tension and it is as though the readers are in a vivid and continuous dream the story begins without suspense on a clear and sunny June morning (Jackson 1). However, as the story progresses, Jackson capture the dramatic tension by choosing a setting where people meet and the family representatives have to choose the lottery. There is uncertainty among the people as any of them can be chosen the lottery is used for a more sinister objective and not monetary gains as is common in other lotteries. The story unfolds towards the winter where the children gather quietly indicating that the occasion would not be jovial.
Jackson points out that the people have been reluctant to change their ways as they had lived that way for years. However, this is bound a catastrophic ending that the villagers kill Tessie Hutchinson despite her protestations. The mood of the story is gloomy, and Jackson articulates the need for change as a necessary step to improve the wellbeing of the people. One of the main themes in the story is that change is inevitable. Old Man War...