1. Short Story
Promotional
Assignment
By: Sienna Lyons - Mt. Pleasant

2. “The Lottery” by
Shirley Jackson

3. Side notes ...
•
The country of origin: a New England
town
Genre of the story: Horror
•
Alternative Title: Luck of the Lottery
Rated 4/5 stars, B

4. Images from the story

5. Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” was
first published in 1948 in the New
Yorker. The story takes place during
the Depression, giving the story more
of a setting. “The Lottery” has many
readers confused with the true
meaning behind the story. A lot of
other critiques say that “The Lottery”
fails at the surprise ending, that it is
unrealistic and that there is no
character development.

6. To me, “The Lottery”s ending was
very surprising.When I read the title, I
immediately thought of a draw of
some sort, definitely not a prize of
being stoned though. I do agree that it
is extremely unrealistic, stoning is not
seen as a tradition anywhere.
Character development is limited,
there isn’t very much to go off of.

7. Readers are lead to think that the
Lottery day is just another normal day.
The tone is easy-going and casual. The
lottery just happens to fit into the day
and finishes just in time for noon
dinner. Jackson says that there are
kids pilling up rocks, making it seem
like a game. The tone of the story
slowly turns into panic and tense. The
story keeps readers reading and
guessing right up until the end!

8. Quirky, but excellent read!
- Village Voice
•
Surprise ending, would have never
expected that.
- New Yorker
•
Very communist vs. capitalist
-Slant Magazine