Thursday 19 May 2016

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson - Use of Symbols

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson is Post Globe War II perform of fiction. It was published in 1948. It is complete of irony and symbolism. It has a number of themes all supported by brilliant use of literary tools by the writer.

The writer utilizes the story to convey the message that conservative attitude and values are predominate in human societies. Men and women resist modify and stick to blindly the ideals of their predecessors. Right here is a glance at the diverse symbols utilised in the brief story.

Old Man Warner.

He is an old man representing old values. He is the symbol of unchanged traditions. He is quite annoyed by the reality that lottery program has been changed in distinct components of the nation. He desires to make positive that Folks need to know the significance of old traditions.

Mr. Summers.

His name is Summers, he is the owner of a coal mine. He is the symbol of evil hiding itself below the guise of smiling face and sober appears. His name is also ironical as Summer is for life but Mr. Summers stands for death. He remains cool and calm in front of villagers. He conducts the entire method with utmost ease and relaxation. He is the owner of coal mine, suggesting that he is the one who brings death, destruction and harm. Coal suggests his ownership with evilness and death.

Mr. Graves.

As his name suggests he is the symbol of death. He reminds of grave. He is the one who brings black box and locations it. He is in the background of Mr. Summers, once more suggesting that death is hiding itself behind the evil.

Black Box.

It is once more symbol of death. Its colour suggests death and evil. It also represents old barbaric tradition of killing a villager for the sack of the neighborhood. We are told that box is old and shabby, representing old and hazardous tradition. We are also told that no one is prepared to alter the old box and each and every one desires to stick with old box regardless of the reality that it is really old. It once more suggests Folks unwillingness to alter the values and traditions.

Above are some of the symbols employed in the story. It has extra symbols and other literary tools like irony and setting also to its credit. The writer is in a position to convey her message in really powerful and sturdy manner. The story has potential to shock the reader, signifying brilliance of irony.

"The Lottery" is a pretty superior function of fiction, which can be interpreted with wide variety of themes. It is a compact and griping story. It has power to retain reader interested and conveys message in very simple but sturdy style.

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