The Lottery

This is a very interesting story, which initially makes the reader believe that the town has a happy atmosphere, a person is going to win the lottery and change his or her life. The word Lottery signifies a win in the readers mind. The initial mood set in the story is one of socializing, people have gathered and are greeting each other, children playing with each other and women conversing. The mood so far seems normal, like what one would expect on a typical gathering at the town square.

The official supervisor of the lottery “Mr. Summers” then brings the black box, which is used to draw paper tickets. This black box signifies Death but is unknown to the reader at this stage. People gather and the men who are head’s of families are the first to draw their tickets. Once drawn, the mood changes to a serious or grim situation. The crowd is now wondering as to who got the “ticket”. It is clear in a bit that Mr. Hutchinson has got the marked ticket. His wife is disappointed and voices her opinion. It is at this phase the reader tends to wonder as to why wouldn’t a person be happy to win? It is at this point the author lays down the suspense in the story. As the story progresses, the members of the family of Mr. Hutchinson have to draw against each other. They do and his wife ends up with the marked ticket.

The way the author has described the marking on the paper, black marking made with a heavy pencil in the coal company, now makes it clear that the marking signifies death. The reader will now understand that the lottery is not one to bring prosperity to the family, but mark death on one of its members.

I believe the Author has done a wonderful job by changing the mood of the story from a social happy atmosphere to one of suspense, Irony and then grief. The way the story progresses raises curiosity in the reader’s mind and keeps the reader wondering. The end is shocking, thus catching the reader with the element of surprise.