argumentative essay on the lottery

The Lottery: Essay Topics & Samples

The Lottery is one of those stories that can be interpreted in a million different ways. The author brings up many cultural, social, and even political issues for discussion. It is so controversial that the readers were sending hate mails to Jackson!

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Did you receive a writing assignment on The Lottery by Shirley Jackson? Have no idea where to start? Don’t panic! Sometimes you can find it hard to decide on one topic when there are so many options. This short story also has many Easter eggs to analyze. Custom-Writing.org experts created this list of the best ideas for the essay and The Lottery essay questions to help you out!

• 💡 Essay Topics
• ✒️ Essay Samples

💡 The Lottery: Essay Topics

Don’t know where to start your essay on The Lottery by Shirley Jackson? Check out the prompts to help you write a successful paper!

• Literary analysis essay on The Lottery by Shirley Jackson . For this task, you would need to work through the main themes of the story . However, to make it easier, you might want to focus on one topic at a time. For instance, write about the role of tradition and how powerful it can be.
• How are gender roles represented in the story? Look closer to how the roles are divided in this fictional society. There is violence against women, but it doesn’t seem like they are allowed to play victims. Can you catch a glimpse of sexism in some situations? You might as well draw some parallels with the real world.
• How much do traditions affect our lives? The Lottery as an example . In this analysis essay on The Lottery , you are asked to elaborate on the central theme of the story. Shirley Jackson shows tradition to be so strong and powerful in this society that the rational mind can’t even bring others to reason.
• Social classes in The Lottery . Are there any characters in the short story that may seem a bit more privileged than the others? All villagers seem to be in the same boat with equal rights. What about Mr. Summers? His name is on the list, and he draws with everybody else, but doesn’t he have more powers?
• The psychology of the crowd in the short story . You are asked to write an argumentative essay on The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. Look for some strong arguments to support the idea. However, there is no need to come up with complicated psychoanalytic theories. Focus on your personal opinion and add some quotes.
• Hidden symbols in Shirley Jackson’s story . Here, it would help if you worked on literary analysis for a little bit. There are some apparent symbols, such as the black box and the stones. But how many more can you find? For example, look at the importance of households and write a symbolism essay on The Lottery .
• Investigate the phenomenon of hypocrisy in The Lottery . The villagers can be friendly and kind to their neighbors before the ritual begins . However, as soon as they know the results, they immediately turn against “the winner.” Tessie seems like she would do the same, but when she appears to be the chosen one, it doesn’t please her at all.
• Tessie Hutchinson as a scapegoat in The Lottery . What can make you think that the main character serves as a scapegoat for the villagers? She might not have a good reputation among them. What do you think drives them to stone her to death? Start a debate on this issue, and don’t forget to use our literature study guide!
• The significance of names in Shirley Jackson’s story . You might have noticed the specifics of the main characters’ names. For instance, Mr. Summers fits perfectly in the setting of a beautiful summer day. Mr. Delacroix, in his turn, carries some hidden religious meaning if you look up the translation. Can you find any other meaningful names?
• What is the central message of The Lottery ? You might have thought about it after reading the summary of the short story. Well, there is no specific answer because everything depends on your perspective. It may concern social or political issues or whatever you prefer. It is what makes your essay so unique, isn’t it?

✒️ The Lottery: Essay Samples

Below you’ll find a collection of The Lottery essay examples. You are welcome to use them for inspiration!

• Point of View in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
• The Lottery Analysis: Essay on Shirley Jackson’s Short Story
• The Lottery: Literary Analysis
• Groupthink Notion in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
• Gothic Horror in “The Lottery”
• Foreshadowing in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
• Crowd Impersonation in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
• Gender Equality in Jackson’s “The Lottery”
• Herd Behavior in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
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169 The Lottery Essay Topics & Questions for Analysis and Argumentative Papers

“The Lottery” is a chilling short story by Shirley Jackson.

Each year, the townspeople gather to hold a lottery. After winning the local lottery, the winners don’t receive any money. Instead, they are stoned to death. Shirley Jackson portrays the brutal and senseless violence lurking beneath the surface of an ordinary small town.

Continue reading this article to find various topic selections and essay prompts. And don’t forget about a bonus at the end: a writing guide for an essay on “The Lottery.”

⭐ Top 12 The Lottery Essay Topics

✏️ the lottery essay prompts.

• 🤔 The Lottery Analysis Essay
• 💡 The Lottery Argumentative Essay

❓ The Lottery Essay Questions

• ✔️ Bonus Essay Topics
• 📋 The Lottery Essay Outline

🔗 References

• The role of tradition in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.”
• The power of groupthink in “The Lottery.”
• Symbolism and foreshadowing in “The Lottery.”
• The use of irony in “The Lottery.”
• The significance of the title in “The Lottery.”
• The relationship between gender and violence in “The Lottery.”
• The theme of blind obedience in “The Lottery.”
• The significance of the black box in “The Lottery.”
• The role of fear in “The Lottery.”
• The importance of setting in “The Lottery.”
• The theme of human nature in “The Lottery.”
• The role of sacrifice in “The Lottery.”

Don’t know where to start your essay on “The Lottery”? The writing prompts below can help you find inspiration for your paper.

Symbolism in The Lottery: Essay Prompt

In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” symbolism is significant in conveying the story’s themes and underlying messages. Discuss how it is used in the story. Explain how symbolism contributes to the overall meaning of the work.

Consider the following symbols: the black box, the stones, and the lottery itself.

• What do these symbols represent?
• How do they reflect the story’s central themes of tradition, violence, and conformity?
• How does Jackson’s use of symbolism create tension and build toward the story’s shocking conclusion?

Use evidence from the text to support your analysis .

The Lottery Theme: Essay Prompt

In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” the author explores the theme of blind obedience.

In your essay, provide examples from the text that support this theme. You can use the story’s climax as an illustration. Describe how Tessie’s selection as the sacrificial victim highlights the consequences of mindlessly following authority.

You may also discuss how the story’s message can be applied to real-world situations. You could write about politics, religion, or social norms. Explain how it can serve as a warning to people who are led by society.

Setting of the Lottery: Essay Prompt

In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” the setting is essential to the story’s meaning. Analyze how it contributes to the overall theme and message.

• Describe how the setting creates a sense of familiarity and unease for the reader. You can also define how it foreshadows the eventual violence and horror of the lottery.
• Consider how the small-town atmosphere, with its traditions and social hierarchies, contributes to the theme. Discuss how the story’s setting reflects the period in which it was written. Write about the social pressures in post-World War II America.
• Explain why the story’s setting resonates with contemporary readers and how it contributes to its impact.

Prompt for Compare and Contrast Essay on The Lottery and The Hunger Games

Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Suzanne Collins’s “The Hunger Games” explore the theme of ritualized violence. You can compare and contrast the portrayal of this theme in the two texts.

• Consider the similarities and differences between how the societies in each story use ritualized violence.
• Compare the protagonists of each story, Katniss Everdeen and Tessie Hutchinson. Describe how they respond to the violence in their respective societies.
• Discuss how each story uses the theme of ritualized violence to comment on real-world issues, for instance, the effects of societal structures and power dynamics on individual agency.
• Define which story offers a more effective critique of the dangers of ritualized violence in society.

🤔 Topics for The Lottery Analysis Essay

Below, we’ve selected the best Lottery essay topics for your literary analysis paper. Check them out to get inspired!

The Lottery Critical Analysis Essay: Topics

• Symbolism in “The Lottery”: the deeper meaning behind the lottery process.
• The theme of blind adherence to tradition in “The Lottery.”
• The role of violence in “The Lottery” and its impact on the plot.
• The social commentary on conformity and collective psychology in “The Lottery.”
• Psychological effects of the lottery on the characters in Shirley Jackson’s story.
• The role of fear and manipulation in “The Lottery.”
• Analyzing the use of suspense and foreshadowing in the story.
• The theme of sacrifice in “The Lottery” and its implications.
• The concept of scapegoating in “The Lottery.”
• The significance of the black box and its symbolism in “The Lottery.”
• The portrayal of mob mentality and its consequences in “The Lottery.”
• Evaluating the portrayal of community dynamics in the story.
• The ethical implications of withholding information in “The Lottery.”
• The use of irony and its purpose in “The Lottery.”
• Analyzing the role of gender and power dynamics in “The Lottery.”
• Comparing the lottery in “The Lottery” to real-world rituals and traditions.
• The portrayal of power structures and hierarchies in “The Lottery.”
• Analyzing the connection between tradition and progress in “The Lottery.”
• Exploring the historical and cultural context of “The Lottery.”
• The use of setting and atmosphere to enhance the narrative in “The Lottery.”

Topics for The Lottery Character Analysis Essay

• Tessie Hutchinson’s transformation throughout “The Lottery.”
• Old Man Warner: analyzing the role of tradition and fear in shaping his character.
• Mr. Summers: examining the character’s influence and authority within the lottery process.
• Understanding Bill Hutchinson’s motives and actions in relation to the lottery.
• Mrs. Delacroix: analyzing her participation and reaction in the lottery drawing.
• The impact of the lottery on children in the story.
• Mr. Graves’s role as the lottery official and his attitude toward the event.
• Mrs. Adams’s perspective and relationship with the lottery tradition.
• The motivations and decision-making process of the Lottery Committee.
• The Villagers: analyzing the collective mindset and conformity of the community.
• Old Man Warner’s Grandchildren: the potential impact of the lottery on future generations.
• Comparing and contrasting the characters’ reactions to the lottery.
• The portrayal of female characters in “The Lottery” and their role in perpetuating the violence.
• Gender roles and dynamics portrayed in the characters of “The Lottery.”
• The symbolism associated with each character in “The Lottery.”
• The characters’ moral and ethical dilemmas concerning the lottery.
• The characters’ motivations for upholding or questioning the lottery tradition.
• The impact of social pressure and conformity on the characters’ actions in the lottery.
• Analyzing the characters’ perspectives on sacrifice in “The Lottery.”
• Critiquing the absence of empathy and compassion in the characters of “The Lottery.”

The Lottery Literary Analysis Essay: Topics

• The use of symbolism in shaping the characters and themes in “The Lottery.”
• Exploring dramatic irony in the character interactions of “The Lottery.”
• “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson: literary analysis .
• The role of foreshadowing in developing suspense and tension in the story.
• The use of setting to enhance the atmosphere and mood in “The Lottery.”
• The significance of the black box as a central literary device in the story.
• The use of irony in the characterizations and actions of the villagers.
• Allegory in “The Lottery” and its impact on the interpretation of the characters.
• The use of repetition and ritualistic language in the lottery process and its effect on the characters.
• The contrast between appearance and reality through literary devices in “The Lottery.”
• The role of allusion in deepening the meaning and implications of the characters’ actions.
• The use of suspense and pacing to engage readers and heighten the character development.
• Situational irony in the characters’ acceptance and participation in the lottery.
• Symbolism of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.”
• Dialogue as a literary device revealing the characters’ attitudes and beliefs in “The Lottery.”
• The use of metaphor and simile in describing characters and their actions in “The Lottery.”
• The impact of point of view as a narrative device in “The Lottery.”
• The role of satire and irony in critiquing societal norms and the characters’ adherence to them in “The Lottery.”
• The use of ambiguity and uncertainty in shaping the readers’ perceptions of the characters.
• Irony and paradox in the characters’ motivations and decision-making.
• The role of personification in “The Lottery.”
• Cliffhangers and unresolved situations as the means of suspense in “The Lottery.”

💡 Topics for The Lottery Argumentative Essay

• The portrayal of blind conformity in “The Lottery” as a critique of societal norms.
• “The Lottery” as a powerful allegory for the dangers of tradition and ritualistic behavior.
• The role of the black box in “The Lottery” as a symbol of oppression and control.
• Critiquing the role of the individual in “The Lottery” and the consequences of collective action.
• “The Lottery” as a commentary on the dangers of mob mentality and groupthink .
• The lottery as an instrument of social control and manipulation in “The Lottery”.
• Suspense and tension in “The Lottery” provoke thought and discussion.
• The representation of sacrifice and its ethical implications in “The Lottery.”
• The lottery as a reflection of the dark side of human nature in “The Lottery”.
• The consequences of blindly upholding tradition and its relevance in “The Lottery.”
• The theme of social inequality and discrimination in “The Lottery.”
• The role of fear in perpetuating the lottery tradition in “The Lottery.”
• Arguments for the abolishment of the lottery in the story.
• The lottery as a representation of the human capacity for cruelty and violence.
• The manipulation of fear and the maintenance of control in “The Lottery.”
• The lottery as a reflection of societal values and priorities in “The Lottery”.
• The lottery as a tool for social cohesion and unity in “The Lottery”.
• The portrayal of dehumanization and the loss of individuality in “The Lottery.”
• Critiquing the role of randomness and chance in the lottery drawing in the story.
• The lottery as a symbol of fatalistic thinking and resignation to one’s fate.
• The role of tradition in “The Lottery” and its resistance to change and progress.
• Critically analyzing the villagers’ belief in the lottery and its justification.
• The lottery as a reflection of the human desire for control and dominance.
• The characters’ absence of agency and free will in “The Lottery.”
• Critiquing the portrayal of community and its values in “The Lottery.”
• The lottery as a commentary on the dangers of following traditions without questioning.
• The portrayal of surprise and shock in “The Lottery” and its effects on the characters.
• Lessons about collective responsibility and guilt learned from “The Lottery.”
• The lottery as a reflection of the human tendency to participate in harmful practices.
• The portrayal of sanity and madness in “The Lottery.”
• Critically analyzing the representation of violence and its consequences in “The Lottery.”
• The lottery as a metaphor for the injustices and cruelties in the real world.
• Individual responsibility in a deterministic society as portrayed in “The Lottery.”
• The relevance and significance of “The Lottery” in contemporary society.
• The transformation of Bill Hutchinson’s character from a passive bystander to a victim.
• How does “The Lottery” satirically critique blind adherence to tradition?
• What role does symbolism play in “The Lottery,” and how does it enhance the story’s meaning?
• Is the lottery ritual in the story a representation of mob mentality, and if so, how?
• Does “The Lottery” effectively challenge the concept of a just and fair society?
• How does Shirley Jackson use foreshadowing to build suspense in “The Lottery”?
• What is the meaning of recurring references to food and feasting in the story?
• Is there any significance to the selection of Tessie Hutchinson as the sacrifice in “The Lottery”?
• In what ways does “The Lottery” explore the theme of conformity and its dangers?
• Is the violence depicted in “The Lottery” necessary for the story’s impact, or could it have been portrayed differently?
• What does the ending of “The Lottery” suggest about the human capacity for cruelty?
• How does Shirley Jackson use irony to convey her message in “The Lottery”?
• Is there any redeeming value to the lottery tradition portrayed in the story, or is it solely a negative portrayal?
• Who can be the real audience of “The Lottery,” and how does it affect the understanding of the story?
• Why does no one in the town openly resist the lottery?
• Is “The Lottery” primarily a critique of societal norms or a commentary on human nature?
• What commentary does “The Lottery” make about the arbitrary nature of violence in society?
• Are there any sympathetic characters in “The Lottery,” or are they all complicit in the violent tradition?
• What does “The Lottery” suggest about the cyclical nature of violence and oppression?
• Does “The Lottery” serve as a critique of organized religion and its potential for harm?
• How does the public nature of the lottery in the story influence the characters’ participation?
• Is there any significance to the fact that the lottery tradition has been passed down through generations?
• How does “The Lottery” challenge the notion of the inherent goodness of human beings?
• Is “The Lottery” a commentary on the dehumanizing effects of a strict social hierarchy?
• What is the significance of the date and time of year the lottery takes place in the story?
• How does the fear of punishment influence the characters’ obedience to the lottery tradition?
• Do the characters in “The Lottery” have any agency in their participation, or are they merely victims of tradition?
• Is “The Lottery” an effective critique of the concept of luck and chance in society?
• How does the portrayal of children in “The Lottery” contribute to the story’s tone and message?
• What role do the women in “The Lottery” play in upholding the tradition and perpetuating the violence?
• Is there a deeper meaning to the significance of the stones as the chosen method of execution in “The Lottery”?
• What is the purpose and impact of the seemingly banal conversations and interactions among the characters in the story?
• Does “The Lottery” explore the theme of sacrifice and its relevance to societal structures?
• How does the use of a small-town setting in “The Lottery” contribute to the story’s overall impact?
• Does “The Lottery” suggest that violence and oppression are inherent in human nature, or are they products of societal structures?
• How does the character of Tessie Hutchinson challenge or conform to societal expectations in “The Lottery”?
• Does “The Lottery” critique the role of gender in enforcing and perpetuating harmful societal traditions?
• In what ways does “The Lottery” comment on the dangers of passivity and indifference in the face of injustice?
• How does the portrayal of the lottery tradition in “The Lottery” relate to real-world rituals and customs?
• How do the names of the characters, such as Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves, contribute to the story’s themes and symbolism?
• Why did Jackson decide not to include details about the lottery’s origin and purpose?

✔️ Bonus Essay Topics for The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

• The psychological impact of the lottery on the villagers in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.”
• The historical context of “The Lottery” and its relevance today.
• The paradoxical nature of community in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.”
• The significance of Shirley Jackson’s legacy and her impact on modern horror literature through “The Lottery.”
• The significance of the title “The Lottery” and its connection to fate.
• The use of suspense and surprise endings in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.”
• Shirley Jackson’s personal experiences and how they influenced “The Lottery.”
• The role of tradition in shaping societal norms in “The Lottery” and its relevance today.
• The significance of the date June 27th in “The Lottery.”
• The portrayal of mental illness in “The Lottery” and its societal implications.
• The role of education in challenging societal norms in “The Lottery.”
• The portrayal of masculinity in “The Lottery” and its connection to power dynamics.
• Shirley Jackson’s legacy and influence on modern literature.
• The impact of “The Lottery” on the literary world and its reception at the time of publication.
• The controversy surrounding “The Lottery” and its banning in certain schools and communities.
• The portrayal of the elderly in “The Lottery” and their societal marginalization.
• The theme of sacrifice and its connection to the American Dream in “The Lottery.”
• The role of tradition and ritual in shaping modern society as explored in “The Lottery”.
• The significance of the lottery as a form of entertainment in “The Lottery.”
• The relevance of “The Lottery” in contemporary conformity and social pressure discussions.

📋 The Lottery by Shirley Jackson: Essay Outline

Do you want to write an A+ essay about “The Lottery”? We’ve prepared a writing guide to help you with this task.

The Lottery Essay Introduction

Your introduction should grab the reader’s attention. To do so, you’ll need to start with a hook — it is a statement or question that captures the reader’s interest and makes them want to keep reading. Look at the example:

Hook: Imagine living in a small town where the annual tradition is choosing who would be stoned to death. Would you participate in such a ritual or rebel against it?

After that, you should provide some context for the topic. Background information helps the readers understand what the paper will be about. Here’s an example of how it might look:

Background information: First published in 1948, the story shocked readers with its portrayal of a seemingly idyllic community that engages in a horrific act of violence.

The last sentence of the introduction should be your thesis statement .

Thesis Statement for The Lottery

A thesis statement is a claim or argument that addresses the prompt or topic of an essay. It should be concise and debatable and provide a roadmap for the rest of the paper. A good thesis statement should also reflect the writer’s position. This sentence is supposed to guide the reader’s understanding of the essay’s main point.

Consider “The Lottery” thesis statement example:

Thesis statement: “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson uses the brutal ritual of a small town’s annual lottery to criticize the dangers of blindly following tradition and highlight the inherent violence and cruelty thriving beneath seemingly peaceful communities.

Essay on The Lottery: Body Paragraphs

When writing body paragraphs, it’s important to focus on one main idea or argument per paragraph.

Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence . It should state the main point and link the paragraph to the previous one. Here’s an example:

Topic sentence: The use of foreshadowing in “The Lottery” creates a sense of unease and tension throughout the story.

A topic sentence is followed by supporting sentences . Each supporting sentence should provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back up the paragraph’s main idea. Use specific details from the story to support your claims and explain how they relate to your argument. Check out this example:

Supporting evidence: From the opening scene, where the villagers gather in the town square, there are hints of something ominous about to happen. The children are gathering stones, and the adults are murmuring uneasily.

The Lottery Essay Conclusion

The conclusion is the final section of an essay that summarizes the main arguments and closes the discussion. To write a good conclusion, restate the thesis statement and summarize the main points. Here’s an example of how a paraphrased thesis might look:

Restated thesis: Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” describes the violent tradition of an annual lottery in a small town to critique the ones conforming to traditions while also bringing attention to violence and brutality that may exist in places that look quiet at first sight.

To end a text, you should wrap up the discussion and provide closure for the reader. You can do it by offering a final thought, insight, or a call to action.

It’s important to avoid introducing new information or arguments in a conclusion. It can confuse or frustrate your audience. Instead, focus on bringing the discussion to a satisfying and meaningful end that leaves a lasting impression.

We hope our list of topics and writing guide have been helpful. You can also try our online topic generator to always have fresh ideas for your paper.

• The Lottery: Themes | SparkNotes
• Reading and Discussion Questions on Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” | Washington State University
• Study Guide to Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” | Kansas State University
• The Lottery Themes | Shmoop
• Analysis of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson | ThoughtCo
• “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson | University of Hawaii
• The Lottery Themes | eNotes
• The Symbolism of Jackson’s “The Lottery” Explained | Interesting Literature
• The Normalization of Violence in “The Lottery” | The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Descriptive Essay Topics: Examples, Outline, & More

314 fun argumentative essay topics for 2023.

Sample details

• Literature,

Shirley Jackson

• Book Review,

The Lottery

• Words: 1584
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Argument on the Lottery by Shirley Jackson with Works Cited Page Argumentative Essay

“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is about Symbolism “The Lottery,” a short story written by Shirley Jackson, is a tale about an inhumane and horrific tradition that a community celebrates every year between 10 a. m. and noon on June 27, a sunny day, in a New England village (“Cummings Study Guide”). Not only is this story about tradition but it also hides the meaning of symbolism as well. The setting takes place in a small village consisting of about three hundred people. On June twenty-seventh of every year, the members of this traditional community hold a village wide lottery in which everyone is expected to participate.

A black box holds hundreds of pieces of paper that each member of the community must choose from. There is one piece of paper that has a marking of a dot on it. The paper with this marking means an unfair fate for the person who has picked it. This fate is ultimately a casual murder of being stoned to death that the whole town is guilty of. In this lottery, the winner sacrifices his or her own life for the sake of the tradition. Through the actions and contrast of settings, Shirley Jackson shows the inhumanity of the traditional lottery and points out the cruelty of people and the relationship between he people. It becomes apparent this community is very weak-minded. The people in this community have no respect for the ritual itself, they just want to hurry up and find out who won, and get to the stoning. In response to questions about the “meaning” of Long 2 the story, Shirley Jackson wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle (July 22, 1948): “Explaining just what I had hoped the story to say is very difficult. I suppose, I hoped, by setting a particularly brutal ancient rite in the present and in my own village to shock the story`s readers with a graphic dramatization of the pointless violence and general nhumanity in their own lives.”

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(“Private Demons. The Life of Shirley Jackson”). The symbols of “The Lottery” become a bit clearer when you consider and understand that the author was a woman in 1948 America (Modern Short Stories). This made her someone who had a lot of reason to find the longstanding traditions to be just as vile as those traditions in “The Lottery”. Whether this was segregation, the lack of free voting rights or any of the many other traditions which still exist primarily because they have always existed. These are traditions which are often difficult for hose who are not hurt by them to see clearly and that stories like “The Lottery” help to illuminate. In addition, a woman being the one chosen by the lottery is important. This is in some way the author putting herself symbolically into the place of the victim. Just as important, it shows the tradition has subverted the natural instinct men have to protect women. It also made the victim of the lottery someone who was hurt by tradition in the nonfictional world as well. slide 6 of 6 “The Lottery” is filled with symbols. This story is in many ways a parable more than a traditional story.

A society so mired in its traditions that it has lost the ability to even look at the reasons for those traditions, but instead follows them blindly even when they hurt its citizens. Since this is a danger every society faces “The Lottery” remains relevant in part because the symbols in the story are never fully explained (“The Lottery: Symbolic Tour”). The Lottery is just another day to the people of this community. The people pile the stones high in the corner and gather on-time before the drawing. The women are gossiping and the children are playing with the stones that are piled in the corner, eeming oblivious to the horror that they agree with yet you can tell they are almost trying to hide their nervousness. The stones are a symbol for tradition. Rocks are ancient and remind one of a simpler, more basic time. The traditions that the people follow are barbaric in nature and have been around for a very long time. The villagers in the story lack of the value of human being. “Well, now,” Mr. Summers said,” guess we better get started , get this over with, so’s we can go back to work . Anybody ain’t here? ” (Video documentary).

What Mr. Summers said means that the people in the village onsider the terrible “crime” of tradition as normal thing. The villagers would get used to the fact that the value of human life is not so important. Even the children consider killing somebody as if to kill an animal. The village obviously lacks the value of a human being throughout the story as we do in the world that we live in today. Throughout the story, the reader gets an odd feeling regarding the residents and their annual practice. Not until the end does the reader realize to know what the lottery is about. Thus, from the beginning of the story until almost the end, there is an verwhelming sense that something terrible is about to happen due to the Jackson’s use of foreshadowing through the depiction of characters and setting.

The period of time that the villagers were living is completely different from our culture today. The tradition means a lot to the villagers because it has occurred since the village was first established. It was a normal thing to villagers to keep that tradition from generation to generation. You can see that even though the villagers act as if they are attending a reunion, there is a fear as well among them. The village reveals this fear in heir questions after the first round: “Who is it? Who’s got it? Is it the Dunbars? Is it the Watsons? ” The Dunbars and the Watsons are the least productive families in the village, with Mr. Dunbar’s leg broken and Mr. Watson dead. This unconscious fear that uselessness determines the lottery’s “winner” produces incentive for diligent work. Again we can see the fear as reading when the villagers’ reactions while they were gathering. ” They stood together, away from the pile of stones in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed”. The villagers were not comfortable during the lottery.

The adults seem on edge, but the children actually don’t understand what is going on. All they know is that the stones are fun to play with and they are getting ready to throw them at an innocent member of the village. This is a terrible violence of the children, and everyone teaches the children this by example because it is tradition. It is a horrible crime that the children help kill someone in a violent way. Shirley Jackson shocked her audience and made us think about our actions today in situations and how we are with our children. We follow traditions even though some are ludicrous which our children see us do as they grow up.

At next, relationships in a family were very different from relationships in present family life. Like when Mrs. Hutchinson’s family is chosen in the first round; objecting that her daughter and son-in-law “didn’t take their chance”. Mr. Summers reminds her that “daughters draw with their husbands’ families,” showing that power is exclusively held in the hands of males in families. Also, it shows that all of the people were thinking about themselves and how to survive. When Mrs. Hutchinson was chosen to die, her husband didn’t show any emotional reactions to his wife. All the people just wanted to take care of themselves and survive.

It symbolizes how we have become desensitized to so many things in the world we live in today. Things we should fight for in society but we do not simply because it is a tradition that we are immune to. We learn throughout the story that the power and traditional aspect of the lottery has slowly diminished. In the case of Mrs. Hutchinson, the lottery had been present within the neighboring towns; however, the lottery had been ended. The people of the town believed that the box represented tradition and therefore were reluctant to make another one. This box is representative of the lottery in that they have both worn down and are n need of change. The lottery is a good example of how people conform to the situation that they are put in. People go along with the lottery because in their town it is socially acceptable and is part of tradition. However, this tradition is beginning to wane and this goes on unnoticed by the townspeople. They have no guilt and no remorse to pick up a rock and whip it at the winner of the lottery. The Lottery is an extreme tradition that the people of a community abide by that symbolizes the horrible acts that we the world have performed for years and that we still in live today that go unnoticed.

Works Cited

• Cummings, Michael J. “Cummings Study Guide. ” Grit Publishing Company. Home Page. Web. 7 December 2007 http://cummingsstudyguides. net/TheLottery. html
• Oppenheimer, Judy. “Private Demons. The Life of Shirley Jackson. ” The Fund for North Bennington Inc. Home Page. Web. 23 February 2005  http://northbennington. org/jackson. html
• Madeleine Sackler. The Lottery. Video documentary, 2010. Hellman, Robert B. “The Lottery. ”
• Modern Short Stones. 12 June 2000: Print. Nebeker, Helen E. “The Lottery: Symbolic Tour. ” American Literature. Vol. 46. No I. March 1974. Pages 100-107. Print.

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Free Argumentative Essay About The Lottery

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: Education , Tradition , Lottery , Time , Influence , Knowledge , Development , Society

Words: 1000

Published: 02/19/2020

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“Just because something is traditional is no reason to do it, of course.”

These were words of Lemony Snicket, which is the pen name of an American novelist known as Daniel Handler. He has written various books and novels for children and adults in form of literature, and fiction, as well as mystery and thrillers. In his books he usually recognizes traditions but he believes they should not tie him. In relation to Shirley Kackson the writer of The Lottery Daniel Handler could not allow traditions to limit human behavior. Traditions are renowned of shaping the name or the fame of a given society. Although, traditions may define as the history of a given society, it should not bind the members to extreme beliefs that it is the way of life. However, all societies as well as members of given communities are not the same. There is need to respect the uniqueness of every society and individuals when it comes to the definition of a traditions. Some traditions as shown in the lottery are impossible to follow to the end. They lack proper follow up. Therefore, insignificantly defined to exert adequate influence to proper running of the society. Traditions do not define the modern status of a given society as they do nothing to improvement or development. Although, traditions are unavoidable in the livelihood of individuals they have not be the shape of life. People have been made to believe that traditions form the integral part of their livelihood, which is not critically true. People must not be bound by traditions, which are not truly meaningful in their current livelihood. There is exclusive need of identifying with traditions that are life-shaping and are not out to retard mind development among individuals. For example, what is happening in the lottery is proper definition of traditions that are not out to shape human development but to expose him or her to retarded growth. In the lottery, some of the practices that are observed as extremely significant are less useful to the modern society. There is need to come up with practices that should not be taken strictly as traditions in the definition of the status of the practices (Hoppal, 2013). However, traditions should be used as platforms of knowledge that will shape destiny of a given society. Traditions are usually binding. They define certain procedures that should be followed strictly by all members of the given community without failure. For example, the lottery indicates that the practices being put forward have to be followed to the fullest. However, looking at some of the practices that the society pretends to be undertaking extremely seriously, there is no proper definition of traditions. The lottery is a poor presentation of what traditions have been renowned to be in the society. As every individual may understand, traditions should never be imitated or faked by use of short cuts in the name of satisfying the tradition. For example, in the lottery Mr. Summers convince villagers to replace traditional wood chips with paper slips. For sure, the two elements can never substitute each other. This shows that the society is not serious with traditions. Therefore, there is no way an outsider may take such traditions serious. Changes in some sections of traditional practices mean overall change of the tradition. If traditions were to remain influential to the society, it has to happen through proper respect of every provision that may come with the tradition. The minor changes that members of a given society try to change are not really meaningful as they reject the proper meaning of traditions. Changes being witnessed in the society today in form of education and technology have had massive influence to the understanding or definition of traditions (Traditions, 2013). Therefore, rendering traditions meaningless in the modern society. However, traditions may be considered paramount f they extended certain values to the society. Traditions should be platforms for knowledge as well as education. It should be a way to appreciate modern society which is filled with various elements that make it equally significant. At some point, traditions have hindered development as people in the modern society fear to act in a given line following the boundary set by a given tradition. Instead, traditions should take control of modern activities through definition or knowledge which comes from education as well as improved technology. This is not the most outstanding time to stand by traditions that are decimally influential. Traditions should be dynamic as they should incorporate what happens in the modern world every day (Hoppal, 2013). Societies should be free to change to new habits and not to be strict on certain principles for a long time. Although, some traditions are good to the members of the given communities they should not follow them blindly. They should be ready to learn from them and make corrections where necessary. Therefore, traditions should be subjects to influence by technology and education. People must reject the element of remaining on one line of thought for a vehemently long time. There is need for societies to learn how to improve their traditions form time to time. There should be no limits to how people perceive traditions. They should be bestowed upon personal choices where an individual should determine what to honor and what not to honor. What may make me happy is not the same element that may make another individual happy.

Works Cited

Jackson, Shirley. The lottery. Macmillan, 1948. Hoppal, Mihaly. "Tradition Based Societies: Local Values for International Cooperation." Tradition Based Societies: Local Values for International Cooperation. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. <http://www.folklife.si.edu/resources/unesco/hoppal.htm> "Why is Tradition Important?." Tradition. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. http://fallibleideas.com/tradition

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• The Lottery

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The Lottery Argumentative Essay

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When you hear the word lottery, you probably think of winning a large sum of money before being stoned to death. ” The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson brings this horrible idea to life.

While the overall mood of the story depicts a typical day in a small rural town, through great use of imagery and irony, one is set up for an unusual ending. Shirley Jackson uses the element of surprise. The way of the story ends is unlike anyone could predict. The main object of The Lottery is the action of the lottery itself and perhaps the slips of paper. The actions that make the story are all connected to the preparation for, drawing of, and consequences of the lottery.

Mr. Summers treats the lottery with cold precision as if this duty was as normal as all the other duties he performs for the town. The Townspeople respect the lottery and actually appear to fear it ever so slightly. Mrs.

Hutchinson when faced with the possibility of winning the drawing panics and tries everything she can think of to decrease her chance of winning or avoiding it altogether. Mrs. Hutchinson is the main female character of the story and is probably the strongest example of a weak, powerless, scared woman in all the stories we reviewed. She is the last to show for the drawing, she disputes the results of both drawings once completed, and she makes every attempt to lower her chance of winning by drawing her married daughters into her families drawing. Mrs.

Hutchinson shows a complete lack of inner strength and reveals her cowardice and uncaring relationship as shown in her actions. The underlying current of evil would have to be the actual barbarism inherent in the lottery itself. The idea of stoning a person to death for any reason in our society is cruel and unusual punishment and sickening to most. The fact that the stoning is not for any crime but for tradition makes it all that more unpalatable. The apparent disdain expressed by the villagers is also quite disturbing in that they treat the lottery as a normal daily event taking no time to fully appreciate the actions they are about to perform.

It is clear; we don’t make our own decisions, and authority influences it. As Suspense in the Lottery plays the most the first hint that something strange is happening is brought to our attention in the second paragraph, after Jackson describes the summer morning, she alludes to the children gathering in the Village Square, but they are acting quite strange. “Bobby Martin had a already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example eventually made a great pile of stones in one corner of the square and guarded it against the raids of the other boys”. (Text, 782). The first questions we must ask is why are the boys pilling stones will play an important role in the final outcome. The Lottery conveys its message through obedience.

The Lottery plays the most important role making, even though short, is well developed and seems prolonged. The Village’s powerful men are Mr. Summers, Mr. Grave and Mr.

Martin. These three most powerful men who control the town, economically as well as politically, also happen to administer the Lottery. It is no coincidence that the Lottery takes place in the village square between the post office and the bank, two buildings of authority that represent government and finance. In Doris Lesssing essay ” Group Minds”, the comment ” what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us”, is an amazing comment.

As people, we tend to engage ourselves into groups, not knowing the true essence of that group. Meaning, the dangerous issue is having no knowledge of what to expect. As we take a look back into Milgram experiment, we see that the idea of participating in an experiment seemed simple, however it turned out to be the most painful experience. One can become so naive into thinking just because an authority figure is present; you have no choice but to obey authority. As Lessing contended, ” This mechanism, of obedience to the group, does not only mean obedience or submission to a small group, or one that is sharply determined, like a religion or political party. It means, too, conforming to those large, vague, ill-defined collections of people from outside, from outside, from another culture, seem very minor.

” When we think about sororities, we think of challenge. Before you are in that particular group, you are expected to obey every challenge given. I suspect there’s more freedom to explore the depths of depravity. The overall moral is that we are not force to do anything; we are manipulated into believing what is not real. So therefore we become victims of our own story.

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129 The Lottery Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on the lottery, 👍 good the lottery research topics & essay examples, 💡 simple the lottery essay ideas, 📌 easy the lottery essay topics, ❓ the lottery essay questions.

• Shirley Jackson’s Short Story “The Lottery” Literature Analysis Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is a memorable short story that has been called a piece of gothic horror. It is also clearly a piece of social commentary.
• Groupthink Notion in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson Irving Janis introduced the term “groupthink” to describe behavior. In this paper, the list of symptoms will be applied in order to analyze the situation in Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery.
• The Lottery Essay: Literary Analysis Example To write an essay on The Lottery by Shirley Jackson can be tricky. ? There are plenty of challenging themes to cover. ♥ So, check our The Lottery essay first!
• The Lottery Analysis: Essay on Shirley Jackson’s Short Story To write a literary analysis of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, you’re better to see an example. ★ Check this one out! ☝ The Lottery analysis essay is here.
• “The Lottery” a Short Story by Shirley Jackson In Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery”, the author chooses a third-person objective point of view to create an atmosphere of suspense and mystery.
• Foreshadowing in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson In “The Lottery and Other Stories,” an example of foreshadowing was the emphasis on how various characters spoke and interacted with one another.
• Herd Behavior in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson This paper examines the theme, ironic symbolism, and setting in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and analyzes how the author applies them in the narration.
• Gender Equality in Jackson’s “The Lottery” The issue of gender relationships has been widely discussed in the literature, and Jackson’s “The Lottery” is one of the strongest examples of the gender inequality problem.
• Crowd Impersonation in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson Despite the fact that all the characters of Jackson’s “The Lottery” are vivid, great attention is paid to the crowd as a single organism yielding to common ideas and influence.
• Condemnation & Violence in Jackson’s “The Lottery” Shields’s article “Arbitrary Condemnation and Sanctioned Violence in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” argues that the concept of capital punishment on a lottery basis is dangerous.
• Symbol in “The Lottery” Story by Shirley Jackson By using stones as the symbol of violence in “The Lottery,” Jackson represents the subject matter as a social phenomenon, the instances of which are difficult to overcome.
• “The Lottery” the Story by Shirley Jackson In her short story “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson discusses numerous provocative themes in a controversial and indirect manner.
• Development of the Setting in Shirley’s “The Lottery” and “The Rocking Horse Winner” by Lawrence: From Claustrophobic to Chaotic In “The Lottery” and “The Rocking Horse Winner,” the changes in the setting are defined not by the physical alterations in the environment but by the prism through which they are viewed.
• “The Lottery” by Jackson and “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Le Guin Analysis of the stories written by Jackson and Le Guin allows one to plunge into the seemingly perfect worlds, where everyone becomes a victim of artificially created morality, and find many common ideas.
• Narrative & Meaning in Jackson’s “The Lottery” The use of narrative techniques in “The Lottery” is a compelling force of preparing the audience to discern the meaning of the story.
• “The Lottery” the Short Story by Shirley Jackson The Lottery is the most well-known publication of the author, which she published in 1948. This story portrays the life of a small suburban town in the United States.
• The Lottery & The Rocking Horse Winner Compare & Contrast Essay Two authors, Shirley Jackson and David Herbert Lawrence in their short stories The Lottery and The Rocking Horse Winner explore the theme of the dangers of blindly following traditional or cultural norms.
• Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery: Imagery, Foreshadowing, & Symbolism Shirley Jackson’s employment of detailed imagery, foreshadowing, and symbolism has contributed significantly to the masterful nature of “The Lottery.”
• Aggression as a Theme in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson The work considers the story that compares commonplace details of current life with a barbaric ceremony known as the "lottery" from the book The Lottery and Other Stories.
• Democracy in The Lottery by Jackson Politics is an essential part of nowadays life. Politics are obligations of a state in regard to society and personality.
• Greasy Lake, Lord of the Flies, and The Lottery: Compare & Contrast Human savagery is equally as much a weapon of mass destruction as anthrax, a nuclear weapon. Since the dawn of time, human nature has exuded a persistent vein of unwarranted violence and cruelty.
• The Lottery Short Story: Personal Response Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is a short story which reveals the dark side of human nature. It depicts the collective unconscious of the people of a village, of about three hundred people.
• Shirley Jackson “The Lottery”: Criticizing the Concept of Clinging to Traditions Without Understanding The real purpose of Shirley Jackson’s short story, “The Lottery” is to criticize the concept of clinging to traditions without understanding their origins or implications.
• Man vs. Society Conflict in ”The Lottery” by S. Jackson The purpose of this paper is to discuss the conflict in “The Lottery” by S. Jackson as that of man vs. society.
• Rural American Culture in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is a fictional narrative representing rural American culture. One of the most notable themes in the storyline is the power of tradition.
• The Preservation of Humanism Contrary to Tradition in Story “The Lottery” Jackson wrote a stunning contrast between the ordinary and usual quiet life of the village and the shocking tradition, which, however, by force of habit, takes its place.
• “The Lottery” and “The Destructors”: Conflict, Characterization and Irony The essay will discuss the main conflicts of “The Lottery” and “The Destructors” stories, their characterization, and themes.
• Psychoanalytic Criticism of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson The plot in The Lottery is reduced to the fact that in a particular abstract town a lottery is held, where all residents gather.
• Symbolism in The Lottery Story by Shirley Jackson The Lottery was written by Shirley Jackson in 1948 and contains many notable themes. The Lottery might be perceived as a short story that contains a considerable number of symbols.
• Literary Analysis of Jackson’s “The Lottery” Shirley Jackson’s Lottery is one of the jewels of classic American literature of the twentieth century. This work made a massive contribution to the development of the genre of mysticism.
• Traditions in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson “The Lottery” was written by Shirley Jackson in 1948 and contains many notable themes that are significant and relevant to discuss even today.
• “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson: A More Positive Ending “The Lottery” is a famous short story by Shirley Jackson that embodies a great number of themes and encourages readers all over the world to take a critical look at traditions.
• The Meaning of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson The story presents a fictional village that conducts the annual ritual “the lottery” on June 27 when the villagers gather together for this tradition.
• Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”: Human Cruelty In “The Lottery” Shirley Jackson reflects on the boundaries and potential of human cruelty, using a stylistic and semantic opposition of the beginning and end of the storyline.
• Dangers of Mob Mentality in ”The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson Although the lottery is usually associated with a winner getting a grand prize, in the story, it is a process of selecting a victim for a ritual.
• Analysis of The Lottery, a Story about a Happy Winner The story was published in 1948 in The New Yorker. The population was still trying to recover from World War II, 1939-1945.
• “The Lottery” by Jackson, and “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by Lawrence In two short stories, “The Lottery” by Jackson and “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by Lawrence, the philosophical conflict between luck and its consequences is clearly outlined.
• Tradition in “Everyday Use” by Walker and “The Lottery” by Jackson In Walker’s “Everyday Use”, the theme of tradition is highly defined by the single-family members. In Jackson’s “The Lottery,” the theme of tradition is used to show its brutality.
• Conformity and Individualism in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” The paper’s thesis is that “The Lottery” and “Sonny’s Blues” stories reveal the theme of conformity vs. individualism and the universal nature of human suffering.
• Viciousness in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” illustrates the height of human potential to execute violence, although, it is depicted as ritual practices, tradition, and community order.
• Similar Theme in “The Lottery” and “The Hunger Games” The lottery in the books “The Lottery” and “The Hunger Games” appears as a symbol designed to demonstrate the problems of outdated but still dominant traditions in societies.
• Themes in the Story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson This essay will examine the three major themes in “The Lottery”, which are: human nature, the influence of traditions on community, and gender roles.
• Conformity in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” In the famous short story “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson implements various literary devices in order to confront the issue of conformity.
• “The Lottery” by Jackson vs. “Antigone” by Sophocles Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” describes a tradition in a small town where members draw lottery slips. Sophocles’s play “Antigone” follows one girl’s fight against authority.
• Analysis of “The Lottery” Story by Shirley Jackson The article argues that “The Lottery” demonstrates that despite the moral values people may have, society’s pressure and a sense of impunity can push them to any inhuman act.
• Themes of Humanism in Jackson’s “The Lottery” Story Jackson’s “The Lottery” story reveals the themes of humanism, female discrimination, and paganism, emphasizing the changes in human values, beliefs, and attitudes.
• Themes of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” Story “The Lottery” is famous for its scapegoat, other ideas baked into its very premises, such as tradition, and human nature, add to the atmosphere, creating a nuanced narrative.
• Narration in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” Jackson’s “The Lottery” raises a question of the significance of the story behind the text and requires an analysis, as the presented narration is open for interpretation.
• Analysis of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson The paper is designed to conduct a literary analysis of “The Lottery” short story by Shirley Jackson and interpret its symbolic meaning that remains relevant to this day.
• Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery Review The Lottery, first published in 1948, remains to be one of the most-read stories in American literature. The story revolves around a small village in New England.
• The True Sense of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson “The Lottery” symbolizes a human psyche paradox between compassion and violence, which is embodied in the unfair treatment of the unlucky participant.
• “Lottery” by Shirley Jackson: Marxist Criticism, Characters, Style, and Tone In the “Lottery” tone isn’t the same throughout the book; it keeps changing based on several factors, such as the scene and the character.
• The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Review Shirley Jackson gained a reputation as a literary witch. However, already in the “Lottery,” the talent for the depiction of the human soul was revealed.
• “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson: A Story Analysis The rich exploit the poor to become more powerful and wealthy. In The Lottery story by Jackson, Mr. Summer is seen to entice the poor to play the lottery to gain more wealth.
• Analysis of “The Lottery” Story by Shirley Jackson This paper analyses the short story “The Lottery” written by Shirley Jackson. It tells about the lottery in a village, the result of which was the stoning of a “winner” to death.
• Literary Analysis of Jackson’s The Lottery Story In The Lottery, Jackson explores the fundamentals of human nature, questioning whether or not all individuals are capable of violence and cruelty.
• Tradition in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson In Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery,” the author uses the pathological lottery system to symbolize the problems of traditions in modern society.
• Analysis of Symbols in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is an impressive short novel that narrates the story of an intriguing but cruel tradition in a small village in the United States.
• Marxist Criticism in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson In “The Lottery” Shirley Jackson uses the contrast between the ruling class and the working class to illustrate her point about the fight for social change.
• Manipulation and Distorted Traditions: Analysis of “The Lottery” by Jackson This paper will analyze how the author integrates the elements common to lotteries in the settlement’s tradition to emphasize how easy it is to manipulate the opinion of the masses.
• Human Sacrifice vs. Ritual Murder in “The Lottery”, by Shirley Jackson
• General Information About Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” Inhumanity Exposed
• Exploring How the Way Shirley Jackson Uses Symbolism in “The Lottery”
• The Deadly Symbolic Presence of Mr. Graves in Shirley Jackson “The Lottery”
• Feminism in “The Yellow Wallpaper”, and Jackson’s “The Lottery”
• Lucky Winner: Irony Shirley Jackson”The Lottery”
• How Does “The Lottery” Explore the Theme of Tradition and Its Dangers
• The Importance of Shirley Jackson’s Insights About Man and Society in “The Lottery”
• How the Authors Bring Out the Theme of Class and Society in Anton Chekhov’s the Bet and Shirley Jackson’ “The Lottery”
• Shirley Jackson’s ‘The Lottery’ and Kate Chopin’s ‘The Story’
• The Link Between Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Obsolete Tradition
• ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Tradition in ‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson
• The Destructive Yet Blind Rituals of Mankind in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”
• Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” Message of Social Responsibility
• The Irony, Symbolism, and “The Lottery”, by Shirley Jackson
• The Lottery, Its Social Order and Male Superiority Issue
• Similarities and Differences Between “The Lottery” and “Harrison Bergeron”
• The Lottery, Exhibit Sadism and Arbitrary Brutality
• The Importance of Marxist Criticism for Shirley Jacksons ‘The Lottery’
• Similarities Involving Social Ritual and Ceremony in the Hunger Games and “The Lottery”
• Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” – Blind Obedience Exposed
• Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” Aspects of Human Nature and the Desire for One to Suffer as Long as Everyday Life Continues
• Normalizing Violence and Inhumanity: Shirley Jacksons “The Lottery”
• Individual the Majority and Evil in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
• How Does Shirley Jackson Build Up Suspense in the Short Story “The Lottery”
• Issues With Government Depicted in Golding’s Lord of the Flies and Jackson’s “The Lottery”
• The Conflicts Between Male Authority and Female Resistance in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”
• Shirley Jackson’s ‘The Lottery’: How Tradition Is Skewed
• Symbolism and Genre Conventions of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
• Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Ursula Le Guin’s the Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas
• The Good and Bad of Human Nature in the Short Story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
• The Human Dignity Motive in the Dystopian Societies in Short Stories “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and the Ones
• Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin
• Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Joyce’s “The Dead”
• Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” – Evils of Society Exposed
• Analysis and Psychological Aspects of the Short Story “The Lottery”
• Sinister Symbols Within “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
• Comparing and Contrasting ‘The Lottery’ and ‘The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas’
• Plot and Central Idea in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”
• Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”: A Compare and Contrast Analysis of the Roles of the Men, Women, and Children
• Individual, the Majority, and Evil in ‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson
• The Cruel and Weak Nature of Humans in the Short Story, “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
• Religious and Traditional Symbols in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
• Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Susan Glaspell’s a Jury of Her Peers: Theme and Gender Roles
• What Is the Irony Found in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?
• How Does Marxist Literary Criticism Relate to Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”?
• What Is the Purpose of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?
• What Themes Are Found in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?
• What Is the Main Conflict in Shirley Jackson’s Book “The Lottery”?
• What Made “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson Stand Out From Earlier Stories?
• What Are Some Questions You Can Raise After Reading “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?
• What Are Some Critical Interpretations of “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?
• How Is the Short Story “The Lottery” Related to Shirley Jackson?
• What Propaganda Devices Can You Relate to the Short Story “The Lottery”, by Shirley Jackson?
• What Is the Significance of the Setting Found in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?
• Who Is the Speaker Talking To in the Story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?
• How Is the Climax Built in the Short Story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?
• What Is the Significance of the Number 21 in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”?
• What Are Some Examples of Mob Mentality in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?
• What Are the Literary Devices Used in the Short Story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?
• What Is the Name for a Type of Experiment Such as the One Described in “The Lottery”?
• What Are the Similarities and Differences Between “The Lottery” and “Dead Man’s Path”?
• Why People Stand Up for Justice in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson?
• How the Conflicts Between Male Authority and Female Resistance in Are Shown in “The Lottery”?
• How Sacrificial Symbolism and Rules Are Imaged in “The Lottery”?
• How Shirley Jackson Uses Imagery in “The Lottery”?
• How Does Shirley Jackson Build Up Suspense in the Short Story “The Lottery”?
• What Parts of the Short Story “The Lottery” Were Deleted From the Movie and Why?
• Who Is the Most Important Character in “The Lottery”?
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StudyCorgi. (2023, September 14). 129 The Lottery Essay Topics. Retrieved from https://studycorgi.com/ideas/the-lottery-essay-topics/

StudyCorgi. (2023, September 14). 129 The Lottery Essay Topics. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/the-lottery-essay-topics/

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StudyCorgi . "129 The Lottery Essay Topics." September 14, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/the-lottery-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2023. "129 The Lottery Essay Topics." September 14, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/the-lottery-essay-topics/.

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These essay examples and topics on The Lottery were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

The essay topic collection was published on September 9, 2021 . Last updated on September 14, 2023 .