"The Lottery"

In Shirley Jackson’s short story, “The Lottery,” I was very confused. What exactly was the story about? Did the village people really just draw pieces of paper to find out who was going to get the punishment? When the head of the family draws the paper with a black dot on it, does that mean that the whole family gets punished or just that one person? To me, I understood that the whole family got the punishment, “Heads of families first (Jackson p. 407-408).” Why does Mrs. Hutchinson make a big deal that Mr. Hutchinson drew the piece of paper, something bad was going to happen to one of the family members anyways right? How can she say, “It wasn’t fair (Jackson p.409).” when everybody was doing the same thing every time someone drew a piece of paper. What exactly does that end mean, “It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,” Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her (Jackson p. 411).” Does that sentence mean that the beat her?

The Lottery

I as well as many others I am sure have heard this story before. I believe I may have even seen short movies on television inspired by this story. I have not however before read the original story. This is a story of unfortunate beliefs. A community believing that if they don't sacrifice one of their own, the crops won't grow, is to me horrific. I think that Warner is so tied up in tradition he never allows himself to once think about getting rid of the Lottery. When the fact that another community has dropped the Lottery, Warner argues on page 408 that that village is a "pack of crazy fools". Mr. Warner continues to state that quitting the lottery would cause trouble. Mr. Warner has too much say maybe because he is one of the older town folk. This story is sickening in a way. When you begin to read it, it describes a happy little growing community, yet in little pieces begins to warn what is coming such as on page 405 when it is mentioned that some of the children are already gathering stones. You have happiness and warning or foreshadowing at the same interval. Strange to me is the way the adults make small talk and joke with one another knowing what is about to come. Another strange and uneasy piece of this story is the black box. It is describes in detail of the wear and tear this box has endured. Describing that the box really did need to be fixed or replaced and every year there was talk of doing so. Every year the box was left alone as if to touch it would cause a change of tradition which this community seemed to feel was evil. I cannot stop thinking about the woman to be stoned Mrs. Hutchinson. Instead of telling the town she would not subject herself or her family to such a display of ignorance, she kept stating how unfair the drawing was and how her husband did not have enough time to draw. Why would these families subject themselves to such horror? All in the name of tradition and superstition.

The Storm

I do not think that the storm excuses Calixtra and Alcee from kissing. I do believe that it was because of the storm that brought Alcee to the house to wait out the rain. Beings both of them are married I really so no excuse for it. I really didn't expect it to happen. I gathered the conclusion that Calixtra really loved her family because she made many comments about the where abouts during the storm and hoped that they were safe. I think that Alcee has had a crush on Calixtra for many years and that is what lead him to kiss her.
In Alecee's letter to Clarisse he told her "not to hurry back, but if she and the babies liked it at Biloxi to stay a month longer." I really didn't understand if he sent the letter out of love or guilt. Why would he really want them to stay away longer?
This was a really neat story. It was fun to read and the details in it were like I was there watching. I could picture so much of what I was reading. I could picture Bibi sitting on the keg watching out the store, and Calixtra sitting by the window sewing fast worrying where they are. I think stories that have good details are fun and easier to read.