Social psychologists observe that every group develops its own outcast or misfit, who is blamed for all sorts of group malfunctions and woes. Have you observed this dynamic in your own work, school, church, or family groups? Yes this dynamic appears in some schools where a child or any student for that matter is bullied or singled out. Some peoples’ working conditions could possibly have a group malfunction as in co-workers can be racist to one another. 2. We are told a lot about the lottery, but not its exact purpose. Do the townspeople know?
Is this omission significant? Intentional? No, the townspeople do not know the lottery’s exact purpose. This omission is not significant because it seems there is no point in the lottery and why these people are operating such horrid acts. It is more intentional; the townspeople are playing it safe thinking they are keeping a tradition, yet no one seems brave enough to ask why? 3. Why is much of the history of the lottery and the black box uncertain and vague? Why does Mr. Summers have to ask a question that he and everybody else already know the answer to?
Much of the history of the lottery and the black box are vague and uncertain because it has been an ‘old’ tradition amongst these three hundred townspeople. The black box that was being used was made of some pieces from the original black box that had been lost long ago when the first people settled down to make a village (134). Mr. Summers asks already known questions because he is trying to re-assure the townspeople, and or trying to keep up with what is supposed to be said in the same lottery tradition as before. 4.
The box used in the lottery is mentioned almost thirty times in the story-more than ten times in the phrase the black box. Why does the author emphasize this object and its color so strongly? The author emphasizes the black box so much because it is meant to be a mystery or surprise, like any box appears to people. The fact is you don’t know what could be in that box, or what outcomes may be concluded. The color is emphasized so much because ‘black’ is a color of death. Also you can compare the color of the box to the color of the dot that appears on only one of the pieces of paper.
The paper with the black dot resembles who is to be chosen for death. 5. The stones are mentioned five times near the beginning of the story and then five or six times more at the end. Why is their presence so important? What are the historical/biblical associations of “stoning”? Do they apply in this situation? The importance of stones being mentioned so much is the author is trying to keep the reader informed that someone is going to get hurt or killed. Adding to that, the author never actually states what the stones are supposed to be used for, that kept in mind; the reader can come to a realization at the end of the story.
The historical/biblical associations of stoning are when back in the old times, someone persecuted of a crime or a non-believer of a religion would be stoned to death. These associations apply in this situation because that’s what’s happening but they do not make sense because the individual being stoned has not committed any wrongdoing to be persecuted. 6. Which characters seem to stand for particular ideas or views? What about Old Man Warner? Look at his speeches and comments throughout the story. Tessie Hutchinson also gets a lot of attention, of course.
What is ironic about her being the chosen victim? Does her last name have any significance for you? If not, look up Hutchinson in a good encyclopedia. Characters that stand out for particular ideas and views are preferably Mr. Summers, Tessie Hutchinson, and Old Man Warner. Mr. Summer’s idea of making a new black box was sort of odd. His last name seems so happy and charming yet his power over the villagers frightens them. He sees himself as a hierarchy; acknowledge the fact that he isn’t or ever will be placed in the same scenario as these poor townspeople face in this ritual.
Old Man Warner throughout the story takes the character of someone who is afraid of change, trying to play by the rules. He is obviously obsessed with keeping tradition, “Some places have already quit lotteries,” Mr. Adams said. “Nothing but trouble in that,” Old Man Warner said stoutly. “Pack of young fools. ” (136) He is blinded by this awful tradition, not wanting to even question why these rituals take place. On the other hand, Tessie Hutchinson takes on the character of someone who is free spirited in a way. Her being late to the event made the crowd a bit uncomfortable.
Her jokes didn’t take a liking to Mr. Summers either. “Wouldn’t have me leave m’dishes in the sink, now, would you, Joe? ” (135). Because Tessie wasn’t taking The Lottery so seriously like all the villagers did, in her eyes she felt targeted when Bill Hutchinson had drawn the paper with the black dot. Hutchinson shouted to Mr. Summers, “You didn’t give him enough time to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair! ” She took it as though Mr. Summers had purposely given her husband that dreary paper because she was so nonchalant about being late. Her last name has no significance personally for me.
