The lottery is a game of chance, where participants pay for the opportunity to win a prize based on a random selection of numbers. The prizes may be cash or goods. The term lottery is derived from the Dutch noun lot meaning fate, and it has a long history of use in both religious ceremonies and in commercial games of chance for money. In fact, the lottery is one of the oldest forms of public taxation and is often hailed as a painless method of raising funds for government purposes.
The idyllic setting of the town where the lottery takes place lulls both the characters and readers into a false sense of security, which heightens the shock and disbelief at the story’s conclusion. The peaceful imagery is a stark contrast to the brutal reality that unfolds, and highlights how easily harmful traditions can hide behind seemingly harmless facades.
Tessie Hutchinson’s fate is a powerful symbol of the dangers of blind conformity, and the potential for ordinary individuals to become oppressors. Jackson’s portrayal of Tessie underscores the need to question the power structures that influence and shape our lives, and to be willing to challenge traditions that perpetuate injustice or harm.
A recurring theme in Jackson’s short stories is the exploitation of naive people by unscrupulous businessmen and government officials. While there is no direct evidence that the lottery promotes this exploitation, it is clear that state governments have become dependent on “painless” lottery revenues, and that pressure exists for higher revenue streams.
