“The Lottery” Discussion Questions
First, explain in one or more complete sentences a theme you see in the story (Use chapter 7 in your text). Then, answer THREE questions in complete sentences by Wednesday at midnight. Respond to TWO peers in 200 words each by Sunday at midnight.
“The Lottery” Questions
What elements of foreshadowing can you find in the story? When did you start to realize the lottery wasn’t a good thing? How do the character’s actions hint at the truth?What point of view is the story told in? How does it affect what we know about the situation? How does it preserve the story’s suspense?Why does Jackson use stoning as the method for sacrifice?How are family bonds portrayed? When do they break down? Who is Tessie trying to get included in their family drawing so her own chance of ‘winning’ is less?What elements of the ritual are strictly adhered to? Which are forgotten? What does this juxtaposition add to the story?What is the role of Old Man Warner’s character in the story? What is ironic about his rebuttal to Mr. Adam when he mentions another town stopping the lottery?The quote, “Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones”, distills the problem of the ritual down to its essence which is what?Where are there ironic elements to the story?How does the ordinary, suburban setting reinforce Jackson’s message?Which characters display duality (who shows two sides of human nature)?How is the black box symbolic of the lottery itself? Specifically look at the importance of both the rest of the year and at the way both are treated.What is the tone of the narrative voice? Hopeful? Cynical? Detached? Playful?What is the purpose of the lottery? Do the townspeople know?
