The Lottery Symbols and Motifs
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The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson was so controversial that after its publication on June 26, 1948 in The New Yorker, that readers canceled their subscriptions and peppered Jackson with hate mail and threats. It brings up important themes for students to discuss, including the dangers of blindly following tradition, mob mentality, and the inversion of our culture’s family dynamics.
![The Lottery by Shirley Jackson - "The Lottery" Summary in a Plot Diagram](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/976754/cell-col-0-row-1-w400.png "The Lottery by Shirley Jackson - "The Lottery" Summary in a Plot Diagram")
![The Lottery by Shirley Jackson - "The Lottery" Themes, Symbols, and Motifs](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/976756/cell-col-0-row-1-w400.png "The Lottery by Shirley Jackson - "The Lottery" Themes, Symbols, and Motifs")
![The Lottery by Shirley Jackson - "The Lottery" TWIST Graphic Organizer](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/976757/cell-row-0-col-2-w400.png "The Lottery by Shirley Jackson - "The Lottery" TWIST Graphic Organizer")
Storyboard Description
The Lottery Shirley Jackson activities- Symbols
Storyboard Text
- EXAMPLE
- THE BOX
- THE STONES
- THE BLACK DOT
- The box represents tradition. Even though it is deteriorating and Mr. Summers discusses making a new one, the villagers do not like to upset tradition. They know that inside are slips of paper that will decide their fates. It is also a symbol of power over life and death.
- The stones are a source of fear as well as power and camaraderie. The switch from an orderly, structured, lottery drawing with paper to the stones also represents the village’s frightening change from civilized to utter brutality in the matter of moments.
- The black dot represents impending death. For Tessie, the dot means she has been chosen to die in this twisted, festive event. The dot also brings to an end the “fairness” she found in all of the other lotteries she’s participated in before now.
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