May 22 2025 Who was Shirley Hardie Jackson? More on 'The Lottery'

Silent Read 20 min. 

Shirley Hardie Jackson was an American writer known primarily for her works of horror and mystery. Her writing career spanned over two decades, during which she composed six novels, two memoirs, and more than 200 short stories.

Why did she write 'The Lottery?' 

Shirley Jackson wrote The Lottery to explore the dangers of blind conformity, the persistence of outdated traditions, and the dark side of human nature. When the story was published in 1948, shortly after World War II, Jackson was responding to the unsettling realization that ordinary people could commit horrific acts simply because they were following societal norms or orders—echoing the behavior seen in wartime atrocities.

Group Work Questions: 15-20 min

1. How does the story’s tone shift throughout?

2. What clues does Jackson give about the ending?

3. What is the role of tradition in this village?

4. What is the message or critique Jackson might be making?

Answer Key: Review

Discussion (5-10 min)

1. How does the story’s tone shift?
At first, the tone is light, casual, and almost cheerful—people are gathering in the sunshine, kids are playing, and there’s a sense of small-town normalcy. But as the story progresses, the tone becomes more tense and uneasy, especially as the lottery procedure begins and the villagers’ behaviors grow more serious and distant. By the end, the tone is disturbingly calm despite the brutal outcome, making the violence feel even more shocking.

2. What clues does Jackson give about the ending?
Jackson uses subtle foreshadowing:

• Children gathering stones early on

• Adults speaking in hushed or nervous tones about the lottery

• The villagers’ reluctance to get too close to the black box

• The tension and silence as people draw their slips
  These all hint that something darker is happening beneath the surface of this "harmless" tradition.

3. What is the role of tradition in this village?
Tradition is followed blindly and without question. Even though parts of the ritual have been lost or altered over time, the townspeople cling to the core idea of the lottery simply because it's always been done. It shows how people can perpetuate harmful systems if they don't stop to question them.

4. What is the message or critique Jackson might be making?
Jackson critiques how societies can normalize cruelty and violence in the name of tradition or conformity. She warns against the dangers of groupthink, complacency, and the refusal to question outdated practices. The story also explores how ordinary people can commit horrific acts when they’re told it’s acceptable or necessary.

Notes:

🧠 Mini-Lesson:

Tone vs. Mood:

• Tone = The author's attitude toward the subject (e.g., detached, ironic, ominous)

• Mood = The feeling the reader gets from the text (e.g., unease, shock, dread)
  In "The Lottery," the tone is calm and unemotional, while the mood grows increasingly tense and unsettling.

Subtext—what’s not said outright:

Characters rarely express fear or disagreement out loud, which shows how deeply normalized the violence is. Their silence and routine actions speak volumes. For example:

• No one openly objects to the lottery.

• Tessie only protests when she is chosen, not the system itself.

• No one comforts her—everyone just participates.

This suggests how people can enable harm by staying silent, even when they know something is wrong.

Connections To The Past & Current Events:

More connections with The Lottery to Current Events: Blind Obedience, Fascism, and Power

Guiding Idea:
Jackson’s story isn’t just about one fictional village — it’s a metaphor for how real societies can normalize injustice and violence, especially when people follow tradition or authority without question. This connects directly to how fascist or authoritarian policies can take root today.

Class Discussion Prompts:

• In The Lottery, the townspeople participate in a horrific act because it’s “always been done.” Can you think of any current or recent events where people followed harmful policies or beliefs without questioning them?

• How does the idea of conformity show up in both the story and in today’s political climate?

• How do people or governments use "tradition," "patriotism," or "law and order" to justify harmful actions?

Examples for Discussion:

• Book bans and the restriction of inclusive education in some U.S. states

• Anti-immigration laws and the normalization of family separation 

• State efforts to criminalize protests (Universities throughout the US) or control bodily autonomy (e.g., abortion bans)

• The role of silence or inaction in enabling racial, gender, or LGBTQ+ discrimination

Subtext Link:
Just like in The Lottery, many people today may feel uneasy or disagree with what’s happening politically but stay silent — which allows harmful systems to continue.

Yale professors - History of Facism - recent move to Canada. New York Times Piece - 

We’re Experts in Fascism. We’re Leaving the U.S. | NYT Opinion - 7min

If Time:

Large Banner Review - MSNBC

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