A lottery is an arrangement in which people pay a small sum of money for the chance to win a prize, such as a lump sum of money. While some lotteries are simply gambling games, others raise money for public purposes. A lottery is considered a form of gambling because it involves a chance to win something without skill. It is illegal to promote and operate a lottery through the mail or over the phone. The term also refers to any competition whose first stage relies on chance, such as a game of musical chairs.
Shirley Jackson’s short story The Lottery is a terrifying portrayal of the darker sides of human nature. It depicts the power of mob mentality, the desire for conformity and the consequences of blind obedience to tradition. It shows the way in which people can be easily manipulated and used as tools for violence and destruction.
Jackson’s writing style is simple and direct. She uses characterization methods such as setting and actions to describe the characters in her story. The way she describes the townfolk assembling for the lottery is telling. She writes, “The children were the first to assemble in the square and began stuffing their pockets with stones. The girls were careful not to pick any too big, but the boys were eager and quick.” The girl’s action of picking a very large stone reveals her determination to win.
During the early years of colonial America, lotteries were popular ways for settlers to raise money for public works and private pursuits. Benjamin Franklin organized a lottery to fund his city’s defenses, while George Washington managed the lottery to buy land and slaves. In addition, colonists held many private and public lotteries to raise funds for canals, churches, colleges and other public projects.
