The Lottery

Erawyn · 09-19-2002, 10:00 PM

Has anyone read this short story by Shirley Jackson? Everyone should, its really, well scary i thought, we read it today in class and i was kind of confused as to the original purpose of the ritual, which is one of the questions we had to answer, anyone have any thoughts?

GandalfTheWhite · 09-20-2002, 01:03 AM

we had the story read to us along time ago, i sorta remember it, is it the one were people get stoned?

***Khamûl*** · 09-21-2002, 01:50 AM

That's the one, GandalfTheWhite. And Erawyn, I think the reason for the Lottery was as a sacrifice for the crops. What was the rhyme they used? "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon"? I think that's it. Anyway, hope that helps.

Erawyn · 09-21-2002, 07:45 PM

yeah thats what I thought it was, that weird old man says it, but then this stupid girl told me i was wrong! well ha i win!

Sylvee Estel · 09-22-2002, 11:25 AM

We read this story in English class a few weeks ago, then we watched the movie. The movie is not like the story. They still stone a citizen of the town once a year, but its from the point of view of a visitor to the village. The characters in the movie are mostly different that the story too. Anyway in the movie, they say that the reason they stone people is to lower the crime rate. They thought that if they allowed people to get all the crime and killing out of their system by stoning someone once a year, then there would be no crime in the town. I liked this story, but it was well, freaky. Wouldn't you hate to have to kill your best friend or family member? And wouldn't that be the worst way to die, to be stoned to death by your best friends and parents and siblings?

Starr Polish · 09-22-2002, 12:03 PM

Well, those people are raised to see it as normal, so I don't think killing a friend or family member would phase them (remember Tessie's son?).

I was supposed to perform this play in about sixth or seventh grade (I got sick on opening night), and now that I look back on it, that was an incredibly dark play for junior high kids to be doing. I'm surprised no parents objected.

Then again, in our Talented and Gifted class in fifth grade we did scenes from Macbeth.

emplynx · 09-22-2002, 06:12 PM

I'm not good at getting symbolism, but the story was good.

09-19-2002, 10:00 PM	#1
Erawyn Elven Warrior Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: america junior Posts: 320	The Lottery Has anyone read this short story by Shirley Jackson? Everyone should, its really, well scary i thought, we read it today in class and i was kind of confused as to the original purpose of the ritual, which is one of the questions we had to answer, anyone have any thoughts? __________________ peace never hurt anyone "Be not so bigoted to any custom as to worship it at the expense of Truth." Johann Georg von Zimmermann

09-20-2002, 01:03 AM	#2
GandalfTheWhite Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 297	we had the story read to us along time ago, i sorta remember it, is it the one were people get stoned? __________________ "Behold, I am not Gandalf the Grey, whom you betrayed. I am Gandalf the White, who has returned from death. You have no colour now, and I cast you from the order and from the Council." -Gandalf The Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say. "He who breaks a thing to find out what it is, has left the path of wisdom." -Gandalf "A thing is about to happen which has not happened since the Elder Days: the Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong." -Gandalf

09-21-2002, 01:50 AM	#3
*Khamûl* Slacker Warrior Admin Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,759	That's the one, GandalfTheWhite. And Erawyn, I think the reason for the Lottery was as a sacrifice for the crops. What was the rhyme they used? "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon"? I think that's it. Anyway, hope that helps. __________________ "If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you." Gandalf to Pippin Psalm 107:31

09-21-2002, 07:45 PM	#4
Erawyn Elven Warrior Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: america junior Posts: 320	yeah thats what I thought it was, that weird old man says it, but then this stupid girl told me i was wrong! well ha i win! __________________ peace never hurt anyone "Be not so bigoted to any custom as to worship it at the expense of Truth." Johann Georg von Zimmermann

09-22-2002, 11:25 AM	#5
Sylvee Estel Elven Warrior Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 115	We read this story in English class a few weeks ago, then we watched the movie. The movie is not like the story. They still stone a citizen of the town once a year, but its from the point of view of a visitor to the village. The characters in the movie are mostly different that the story too. Anyway in the movie, they say that the reason they stone people is to lower the crime rate. They thought that if they allowed people to get all the crime and killing out of their system by stoning someone once a year, then there would be no crime in the town. I liked this story, but it was well, freaky. Wouldn't you hate to have to kill your best friend or family member? And wouldn't that be the worst way to die, to be stoned to death by your best friends and parents and siblings? __________________ ~Sylvee

09-22-2002, 12:03 PM	#6
Starr Polish Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slow down and I sail on the river, slow down and I walk to the hill Posts: 2,389	Well, those people are raised to see it as normal, so I don't think killing a friend or family member would phase them (remember Tessie's son?). I was supposed to perform this play in about sixth or seventh grade (I got sick on opening night), and now that I look back on it, that was an incredibly dark play for junior high kids to be doing. I'm surprised no parents objected. Then again, in our Talented and Gifted class in fifth grade we did scenes from Macbeth. __________________ “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” –Bertrand Russell

09-22-2002, 06:12 PM	#7
emplynx Self-Appointed Lord of the Free Peoples of the General Messages Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,214	I'm not good at getting symbolism, but the story was good.

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