Examples Of Tradition In The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

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The term tradition is defined by Dictionary.com as the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs,information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice. Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” is a tale of a tradition that has haunted a town for many years. Even though the majority of the town’s people does not agree with the ceremony, they still proceed to participate in the lottery because of tradition. Along with the story Jackson also gives the reader numerous examples of why social conformity is such a vast issue in society. With the use of lively dialogue, descriptive language, and the detached action that the characters show towards the lottery; Jackson was able to express how humans will conform their beliefs because of social customs.
In “The Lottery” Jackson reflects the eerie theme of tradition that looms over the town though the use of dialogue. An example of this would be when Old Man Warner states , ”...There's always been a lottery,(32)” This statement gives the illusion that Old Man Warner is insinuating that the lottery will and always continue. Due to the fact that the lottery has been a tradition for decades now. Another depiction of the element of tradition in the story, is when Mrs. Adam proclaims, “Some places have already quit …show more content…
Jackson also uses descriptive language to control the narrative of the story. Jackson starts the story with vivid words like,” sunny”,“warmth,” “blooming,””richly.” This gives the reader a false connotation that implies a confronting or happy story. Which when the reader continues to read they will soon see that the story is extremely dark and twisted. Jackson also uses this method with her title “The Lottery.” Lotteries are usually associated with a joyous feeling and the sense of excitement. Which as the story comes to an end the reader figures out the neither the characters no the events
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