The Lottery Quotes

On pages 1-2, Jackson describes the lottery tradition in rich detail. However, she also shows that not every part of the lottery is regulated. Which quote best shows that not every part of the lottery is regulated?

• "Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box."

• "The night before the lottery, Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves made up the slips of paper and put them in the box."

• "The rest of the year, the box was put away, sometimes one place, sometimes another; it had spent one year in Mr. Grave's barn and another year underfoot in the post office, and sometimes it was set on a shelf in the Martin grocery and left there."

• "There was the proper swearing-in of Mr. Summers by the postmaster, as the official of the lottery..."

In paragraph 6, Jackson states, "She [Tessie] hesitated for a minute, looking around defiantly, then set her lips and went up to the box." What is the best synonym for "defiantly" in this context

• Agreeably

• Doubtfully

• Fearfully

• Disobediently

Which of the following describes the irony of the story?

• At the beginning of the story, the reader learns Tessie Hutchinson will be selected for the lottery, but she is unaware of this.

• At the beginning of the story, the reader is set up to believe that the lottery is a positive tradition, but it ends with Tessie Hutchinson's death.

• At the beginning of the story, the reader learns that the children gather stones, but none of the children understand the purpose of the stones.

• At the beginning of the story, we think Bill Hutchinson is a kind man, but he is actually cruel.

Which of the following is a possible theme for the text?

• Even is something is cruel, people have the tendency to follow the crowd and participate.

• Sometimes a few people must be sacrificed to ensure the group's survival.

• Important decisions should not be made by lotteries.

• Traditions help people understand the past.

What does the detail, "And someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles," at the end of the text show?

• It shows that the children no longer understand the violcnece of the lottery.

• It shows that Davy doesn't like his mother and wishes to hurt her.

• It shows that no one expects Davy to seriously injure his mother.

• It shows that everyone participates in the lottery, even Mrs. Hutchinson's young son.

What is Old Man Warner's reason for keeping the lottery?

• The tradition of the Lottery.

• The Box is special to him.

• His parents invented it.

• He wants to die.

What do you think Old Man Warner's saying 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon' mean? 

• The lottery is going to cause alot of death.

• The corn is coming soon

• He's just hungry

• The lottery is a sacrifice to ensure a good harvest.

Which quote from 'The Lottery' best illustrates the theme of blindly following tradition?

• A) 'The original paraphernalia for the lottery had been lost long ago.'

• B) 'The villagers kept their distance, leaving a space between themselves and the stool.'

• C) 'The lottery was conducted—as were the square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program—by Mr. Summers.'

• D) 'The people had done it so many times that they only half listened to the directions.'

In 'The Lottery', what does the black box symbolize?

• A) Hope

• B) Tradition

• C) Rebellion

• D) Change

What literary device is used in the quote, 'The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green.'?

• A) Metaphor

• B) Irony

• C) Foreshadowing

• D) Simile