Skip to main content

In the third paragraph of Shirley Jackson's story "The Lottery," what suggests that the lottery is a serious event?

Because the mood of the narrative changes in the third paragraph, the reader is alerted to the seriousness of the townspeople's gathering for the lottery.


In the first paragraph, there is a peaceful mood created by the description of a seemingly perfect summer day:


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.


In the second paragraph,...

Because the mood of the narrative changes in the third paragraph, the reader is alerted to the seriousness of the townspeople's gathering for the lottery.


In the first paragraph, there is a peaceful mood created by the description of a seemingly perfect summer day:



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.



In the second paragraph, the mood also seems relaxed as the behavior of the children and their talk of school that has just let out for the summer seems natural. The girls who are a little older converse as they glance over their shoulders at the boys in a casual manner. The small children roll delightedly in the dust or hold onto the hands of siblings. 


In the third paragraph, as the men start to gather, they make a quick count of their children, but they soon settle into speaking of the usual topics of farmers: planting, tractors, and taxes. However, there seems to be some nervousness in the men as they almost huddle together away from a sinister pile of stones in a corner near them. Also, that the occasion of the lottery is an affair of grave consequence is indicated as "their jokes were quiet, and they smiled rather than laughed." Finally, when the wives appear, they gather the children to them in what seems a protective manner. This action, too, suggests the gravity of the occasion. Certainly, the tone of this third paragraph is more somber than that of the first two, suggesting that the occasion of the townspeople's gathering for the lottery is a serious event.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more