Shirley Jackson's 'Button': A Short Story

Words: 295
Pages: 2

n the short story written by Shirley Jackson, “Button, Button” Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were made an offer by Mr. Steward. In the offer the Lewis’ would have to press a button, and when they did this someone would be killed in return they would receive $50,000. They were promised that they would not know the person killed. Mrs. Lewis continually tried to persuade Mr. Lewis how this might be a good idea. His conscience made him aware of how awful this was and he kept denying the offer. After struggling with this offer Mrs. Lewis ends up pressing the button. To her surprise the person killed ended up being her husband, Mr. Lewis, and the money came from his life insurance policy doubling equaling $50,000. She asked Mr. Steward how this could be she