Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"

Paper Summary:

This paper talks about Tessie Hutchinson's role in Shirley Jackson's macabre short story, "The Lottery." The paper shows how Tessie Hutchinson is presented as a good neighbor and member of the community, but is later turned into the story's victim. The paper then explains how Tessie turns from an upstanding member of the community into a rebel against the community's tradition.

From the Paper:

"Tessie Hutchinson is chosen by "the lottery" to be stoned to death by the villagers. Jackson writes, "People began to look around to see the Hutchinsons. Bill Hutchinson was standing quiet, staring down at the paper in his hand" (Jackson). There is no reason given for the lottery. The story only tells the reader that the lottery happens every year. Tessie is late to the drawing, and makes a joke of it with her friend. She says, "'Thought my old man was out back stacking wood,' Mrs. Hutchinson went on, 'and then I looked out the window and the kids was gone, and then I remembered it was the twenty-seventh and came a-running'" (Jackson). She is likable and neighborly, and the reader immediately begins to like her. Tessie laughs and jokes throughout the drawing, until the end. However, Tessie is not laughing when she sees the villagers in the lottery have selected her name, and she is the winner."

More papers on Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery":

• Analytical Essay # 3981 : "Symbolism in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"
• Analytical Essay # 72980 : "Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"
• Analytical Essay # 61147 : "The Lottery"by Shirley Jackson"

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