The Lottery by Shirley Jackson s1
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“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
These questions do NOT have to be answered in writing. However, we will go through them in a discussion format in class. I will EXPECT that you can verbally respond to them. This discussion will directly affect your class participation grade (both positively and negatively). So, be prepared!
1. When does the lottery take place?
2. Describe the place in which it occurs.
3. How does the author, Shirley Jackson, foreshadow what is to come?
4. What can you say about the resident of the town?
5. What paraphernalia is used to conduct the lottery and what attempts are made to keep the traditional ceremony? Are any items symbolic in some way?
6. What role does Old Man Warner play?
7. The lottery is carried on by Mr. Summers, who owns the coal company, and Mr. Graves, the postmaster. What do the names and the objects hint at? Do any others names in the story have interesting connotations?
8. Usually a lottery is something positive. When do you begin to suspect that, in this case, no one wants to “win” the lottery?
9. How does the author build tension and suspense?
10. What are the procedural steps of the lottery?
11. What is Old Man Warner’s reaction to the fact that in the north village “they’re talking of giving up the lottery”?
12. What does the story imply about traditions and ceremonies? Be prepared to support your opinion.
13. What does the story imply about religion? Be prepared to support your opinion.
14. What does the story imply about family loyalties? Be prepared to support your opinion.
15. What does the story imply about human nature? Be prepared to support your opinion. 16. The story is full of details about small-town life, for example, the children’s play before the lottery begins. What other details suggest a peaceful rural setting? Describe the contrast between the setting and characters and the plot.
17. Trace the changes in Tessie Hutchinson’s attitude in the course of the story. What do these changes suggest about a possible theme for the story?