The Lottery

The Lottery-Shirley Jackson

Objectives:

Determine the role of situational irony in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery."
Identify and cite evidence for literary theme in the story.
Write a response to literature that synthesizes our understanding of irony and theme, or theme and contemporary society.

Open Ended

Look through Jackson's work. Note elements of situational irony. You can write words, events, setting, names - anything that ultimately stands in direct contrast to what you EXPECT it to be.

Open Ended

What is the purpose of irony in the story?

Word Cloud

Think of words/ideas that come up again and again in "The Lottery." We're going to use this word cloud to eventually come up with the theme of the story.

Open Ended

Talk with your group - turn one of these words into a theme statement for The Lottery

Match

Match the word with its accompanying theme

• Tradition

• Violence

• Group

• Ritual

• Gender

Blind conformity to tradition is risky

People are cablable of extreme violence

Group psychology can be destructive

Ritualistic violence is archaic

Female passivity vs. Male dominance

• Blind conformity to tradition is risky

• People are cablable of extreme violence

• Group psychology can be destructive

• Ritualistic violence is archaic

• Female passivity vs. Male dominance

Choice 1

In "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, the townspeople gather eagerly for the annual event, yet the outcome is shocking. How does Shirley Jackson use irony to create surprise and convey a deeper message about tradition in this story?  Use specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

Choice 2

Shirley Jackson crafts several important themes in her short story, The Lottery. Trace the development of one of these themes. Next, discuss the contemporary relevance of your chosen theme using specific, modern-day examples. Be sure to be specific in your response.