The Lottery, By Shirley Jackson

1. Were you surprised by the ending of the story? If not, at what point did you know what was going to happen? How does Jackson foreshadow the ending? Conversely, how does Jackson lull us into thinking that this is just an ordinary story with an ordinary town?

2. In what way does the setting affect the story? Does it make you more or less likely to anticipate the ending?

3. In what ways are the characters differentiated from one another? Looking back at the story, can you see why Tessie Hutchinson is singled out as a “winner”?

4. What is the ritual of the scapegoat? (google the history of this) In what way might Tessie be considered a scapegoat?

5. Are there symbols used here? Do those symbols have some sort of meaning? What might it be? Why is the “black box” battered, for example?

6. This story was published in 1948. Are there any cultural or historical events that Jackson might be commenting on here? Is this JUST a story about this particular time and place, or is she trying to say something important about human nature?

7. If this were a real town in the USA today would you encourage the government to intervene? Would you allow these people to worship in whatever way they chose? Would you condemn it? Why/Why not? Justify your POV.

8. What were your overall impressions? Did you like it? Why/Why not?

PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET AN AMAZING DISCOUNT 🙂