The small - town setting gives an illusion of safety which is then shattered. It makes the horror more intense as it shows that horror can lurk even in the most ordinary places.
Jackson uses the reactions of the characters to create suspense. The nervousness of some of the villagers, like Mrs. Hutchinson being late, makes the reader wonder what's really going on. Also, the way the villagers seem to be holding their breath when the lottery starts adds to the feeling of unease. For instance, when the families are called up one by one, the tension mounts as we don't know who will be the final 'winner' of this strange lottery.
The unexpected violence at the end makes it a horror story. The lottery, which seems like a normal event at first, turns out to have a deadly consequence. It's a shock to the readers when the so - called 'winner' is stoned to death.
In 'The Lottery', Shirley Jackson creates a shockingly dark and thought - provoking short story. The seemingly ordinary setting of a small town holds a terrifying annual ritual. The characters, who at first seem like typical small - town folk, gradually reveal the blind acceptance of a cruel tradition. The ending is a gut - punch that makes you question human nature and the power of conformity.
In 'The Lottery', Shirley Jackson presents a disturbing small - town ritual. The shock value is high as the seemingly ordinary setting and characters contrast sharply with the brutal ending. The story effectively critiques blind adherence to tradition. The lottery, which should be a positive thing, is turned into a death sentence. This makes the reader question the power of groupthink and how traditions can become harmful without proper re - evaluation.
Yes, it is. 'The Lottery' is a well-known short story by Shirley Jackson.
The 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson is a very disturbing short story. One of the main themes is the blind following of tradition. The villagers seem to carry out the lottery without really thinking about its brutality. They are so used to it that they don't question it.
The theme also includes the idea of scapegoating. The person who 'wins' the lottery is made to bear the sins or misfortunes of the village, as if by sacrificing this one person, the village will be better off. It's a disturbing look at how communities can turn on an individual for no good reason other than tradition.
The story is often interpreted as a critique of blind tradition and the potential for collective violence lurking beneath the surface of a seemingly peaceful community.
She often uses psychological elements. For example, in 'The Haunting of Hill House', she plays with the characters' fears and insecurities. The uncertainty about what is really happening in the house is a big part of the horror.
Shirley Jackson creates horror by playing with the psychological state of her characters. In 'The Haunting of Hill House', she makes the characters' fears and insecurities palpable, and then adds the unknown elements of the haunted house. The readers can feel the horror through the characters' experiences. Also, she uses the setting effectively. The small - town setting in 'The Lottery' which seems so normal at first, but then reveals its dark side.