Discussion: The Lottery
It's time to discuss The Lottery. Hopefully, everyone's had time to read!
Like most people, I read this story when I was in high school and aside from the shock of the ending, what was indelibly ingrained was the phrase, 'lottery in June, corn be heavy soon'. Upon my first visit to America's heartland, it immediately sprang to mind. Corn fields stretching to the horizon, as far as the eye could see.
I've spent a lot of time in the Midwest, and I've always had a thrilling, creeping sensation when I'm in a small town full of friendly, white clapboard houses that things are not quite what they seem, that something sinister lurks just around the corner. The story colored my view of a certain part of America's geography. It gave it a unique mythology that the horror fan in me very much enjoys, and for that, I will be eternally grateful to Ms. Jackson.
Aside from how it influenced my world view, what I find the most fascinating, is the uproar that resulted after it was first published. Jackson's biographer wrote that nothing in The New Yorker's history had ever provoked "such a huge outpouring of fury, horror, rage, disgust, and intense fascination."
In many of the letters Jackson received, readers wanted to know where the lotteries were being held and whether they could go and watch! Thus ironically corroborating one of Jackson's themes - man's innate violence and hypocrisy. You gotta love it.
Why did Jackson choose corn? Why not wheat? For me, wheat is more symbolic of the quintessential American crop. Was Jackson alluding to our massacre of Native Americans?
The townspeople's names are loaded with meaning - Warner, Graves, Adams, Summers, but my favorite is Delacroix from the French for 'from the cross'. That ole farm gal, Mrs. Delacroix, picks up a stone so large she has to use 'both hands'. Christian hypocrisy much?
What about women? What is Jackson saying about their place in the village?
Finally, knowing the outcome of the story like I did, I found myself disgruntled with Tessie Hutchinson's protests of 'not fair'! Everyone else cheerfully accepted their lot, young men bravely drew for their families. Tessie displayed bad form and a small part of me was glad that it was her. What does this say about me? Should I move to Illinois?
Like most people, I read this story when I was in high school and aside from the shock of the ending, what was indelibly ingrained was the phrase, 'lottery in June, corn be heavy soon'. Upon my first visit to America's heartland, it immediately sprang to mind. Corn fields stretching to the horizon, as far as the eye could see.
I've spent a lot of time in the Midwest, and I've always had a thrilling, creeping sensation when I'm in a small town full of friendly, white clapboard houses that things are not quite what they seem, that something sinister lurks just around the corner. The story colored my view of a certain part of America's geography. It gave it a unique mythology that the horror fan in me very much enjoys, and for that, I will be eternally grateful to Ms. Jackson.
Aside from how it influenced my world view, what I find the most fascinating, is the uproar that resulted after it was first published. Jackson's biographer wrote that nothing in The New Yorker's history had ever provoked "such a huge outpouring of fury, horror, rage, disgust, and intense fascination."
In many of the letters Jackson received, readers wanted to know where the lotteries were being held and whether they could go and watch! Thus ironically corroborating one of Jackson's themes - man's innate violence and hypocrisy. You gotta love it.
Why did Jackson choose corn? Why not wheat? For me, wheat is more symbolic of the quintessential American crop. Was Jackson alluding to our massacre of Native Americans?
The townspeople's names are loaded with meaning - Warner, Graves, Adams, Summers, but my favorite is Delacroix from the French for 'from the cross'. That ole farm gal, Mrs. Delacroix, picks up a stone so large she has to use 'both hands'. Christian hypocrisy much?
What about women? What is Jackson saying about their place in the village?
Finally, knowing the outcome of the story like I did, I found myself disgruntled with Tessie Hutchinson's protests of 'not fair'! Everyone else cheerfully accepted their lot, young men bravely drew for their families. Tessie displayed bad form and a small part of me was glad that it was her. What does this say about me? Should I move to Illinois?