The document provides a series of comprehension questions and answers regarding Shirley Jackson's short story 'The Lottery,' focusing on plot details, character analysis, and thematic elements such as blind obedience and the dark side of tradition. Key points include the role of Mr. Summers, the grim outcome of the lottery, and the symbolism associated with the ritual. The material also highlights the irony and societal implications associated with the lottery's shocking conclusion.

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The
Lottery
Shirley Jackson

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Comprehension Questions
1. When is the lottery?
June 27 Summer
Why might that be important?
June 21st Summer Solstice
Lottery in June, Corn be heavy soon.
Why?

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Comprehension Questions
2. Who is in charge of the lottery?
Mr. Summers
Is anyone exempt?
NO

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Comprehension Questions
3. Why isn’t Mr. Dunbar present?
Broken Leg
Who draws for him?
His son

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Comprehension Questions
4. Why have some villages stopped
having lotteries?
They aren’t superstitious anymore;
they are modern

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Comprehension Questions
5. How does Old Man Warner feel about
the lottery?
Thinks it is necessary for succesful
harvest
Getting rid of it will cause regression
back to “living in caves”

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Comprehension Questions
6. Who picks the paper with the black
dot?
First Bill-
Then Mrs. Hutchinson (Tessie)

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Comprehension Questions
7. What is the prize?
Death by stoning

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Comprehension Questions
8. Why stoning?
Bible: John 8:7
Let the man who has no sin cast the
first stone.
Idiom
“People who live in glass houses
should not throw stones.”

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Comprehension Questions
9. Why does Mrs. Delacroix pick up a
large stone?
Perhaps because Tessie argued
Perhaps bigger is better
Other reasons?

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Comprehension Questions
10. What is the worst image for you from
the story?
“someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a
few stones” (99).

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The
Lottery
Analysis

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The Lottery: Idioms
• sat uneasily
• give me a hand with
• get this over with
• good sport
• uncomfortable
• experience
• help me
• finish quickly
• good reaction

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Vocabulary
• Murmur
• Reprimand
• Scold
• Crane
• Snort
quietly complain
Severely reprove
Severely rebuke
Stretch one’s neck
To express surprise or
annoyance through
sound

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Vocabulary
• profusely
• petulantly
• hastily
• soberly
In an excessive
manner
In an poor manner
rapidly
In a serious manner

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Vocabulary
• Interminable
• boisterous
• jovial
Never finishing
Loud Rowdy Manner
Good humor

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Literary Terms
Irony
Results when there is a significant
difference in perception (appearance)
and reality.
The bigger the discrepancy, the deeper
the Irony.

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Literary Terms
Irony
What usually happens when someone
wins the lottery?
What happened in the story?
Why is that ironic?

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Literary Terms
Surprise Ending
What was the prize for the lottery
winner?
Is that a prize you would like to win?

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Character
Mr. Summers
The Hutchenson Family
Bill, Tessie, Bill Jr., Nancy, little Davie
Mrs. Dunbar & Mrs. Delacroix
Old Man Warner

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Sensory Impressions
“The morning was clear and sunny, with
the fresh warmth of a full summer day;
the flowers were blossoming profusely
and the grass was richly green” (93).

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Symbolism (1)
WWII Nazi’s treatment
of the Jews was
unchallenged
and unconsidered
in Germany until
it became a
destructive
force.
Just as the lottery
was unquestioned
and destructive.

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Symbolism (2)
“a recital of some sort, performed by
the official of the lottery...
There had been also
a ritual salute” (94-95)

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Symbolism (3)
“no one liked to upset even as much
tradition ... represented by the box” (94)
“some people believed...others
believed... This part of the ritual had
been allowed to elapse” (94-95)
“people had done it so many times that
they only half listened to directions”
(96)
“they still remembered the stones” (99)

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Symbolism (3)
Blind Obedience Mob Mentality
Peer Pressure Bureaucracy

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Story Themes
• Life and Death (but life is
unremembered)
• Ignorance
• Blind Obedience
• Mob Mentality
• Peer Pressure
• Bureaucracy
• Injustice

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Point of View
Third Person
We don’t really know the thoughts of
any character except what they state
through actions and words.
Difficult to analyze at this level.

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For More Information
Email Mrs. C
ccoleman@clmn.net
Visit Coleman’s Classroom
www.clmn.net